The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-25

know how happy it would make me to
be allowed to share your troubles"
II am troubled, Nelson, deeply
troubled" she replied, raising her tear
stained face. There are so many in
applicable things going on about me,
so much mystery, such forebodings of
dreadful happenings, in my heart, that
if it were not for your love existence
would be misery. And now your own
dear life is threatened, and all my
fault, too. l cannot understand it at all.
Why should anyone want to kill you?
OBJ Nelson!"
She laid her head against me, and 1
gently stroked the soft tresses which
fell back behind her ear in such beau
tiful waves For few moments I could
not answer. Her words startled me be-
yond expressinon. What, in Cod name,
was there about this back-country
place? Had its uncanny mysteries even
entered my darlings sweet life to faint
its happiness?
"Do not give way to an unreasonable
terror, dear heart" 1 finally said.
what possible harm can reach your"
ut is not for myself that am fear
full, and I suppose it is unreasonable;
but think, Nelson, if he had shot you'll"
She shuddered. and then with an eff
fort became calmer.
"Do not worry about me. Be sure I
am able to take care of myself; and
forewarned is forearmed. What else
is there? Tell me. You know you may
count on my help and sympathy"
Eyes, yes. know that, Nelson. And
do need your help. Itseems as though
I were walking blindfolded on the edge
of precipice." The loved form
nestled closer to me. It made me fool
ishly happy to hold her in my arms and
know they were as haven of refuge to
her.
Then, too" Florence went on, II
am so worried about father" o
$50 you said yesterday. Have you
any reason to be?"
Maybe not; at least know of none,
except that he is SO changed of late.
But woman's instinct often divines
causes for worry when none are per-
ceptible."
"You cannot mean that he is changed
toward you?"
"Oh, no, no! Not in his love for me.
Indeed, there seems to be an augment
ed tenderness toward me. And 1t
makes me feel as though, somehow,
was partly the cause of the trouble
Why, / know there is something wor-
rying poor father. He is even chang
ing in appearance, and is becoming SC
haggard. There is some secret sorrow
he is enduring. l spoke to him about
it only the other day."
What answer did he give your"
asked.
Just laughed, and said I was gifted
with a vivid imagination"
There, you see, it must be only
business worry. If It were anything
regarding yourself, he would not make
light of it,"
Florence was partly comforted by
my assurance. She glanced up into
my face and smiled. But the troubled
and perplexed look came back wher
she answered.:
Perhaps it is as you say. But can
not get it out of my head that Mr.. Jack
son is somehow connected with it all.
jackson? How could he affect YOU
fathers life so seriously?" I exclaimed
II do not know. ne used to come
here frequently until lately. And after
every visit father seemed to be so
troubled and worried"
Being satisfied in my own mind that
the difference between Mr.. Morley and
jackson had arisen over business af-
fairs, l sought to lead Florence away
from a subject which seemed to cause
her distress.
And what can you tell me about the
station agent at Sidington?" l asked.
"0h, Nelson! how puzzled I am over
what you have told me! You say he
tried to shoot you?"
"Yes; but do not agitate yourself
over that. He did not hit me, you
know" l answered,
But why should he want to shoot
vou2' she exclaimed.