Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1897-12-10
Take trip to Europe. and enjoy your

lie shook my hand heartily, and left
him.
AS l. was going out the door leading
into the lobby, ran against man lust
coming in. He was an old fellow, small
and thin, and had piercing stcel-bluc
eyes. He rebounded trit,e from the
collision, then gazed at me sharply.
Il beg your pardon" said. Il hope
l did not hurt you?"
NO. Not much, at any rate. Iwant
to see the president. Are you the presi.
dent?" he asked.
There seemed to me to be something
lnsolent about his question, as though
he knew was not the president and he
had asked but to mock me.
You will find the president in his Of
fice," I replied. CURLY. "As for me, 1
am a bank robber.''
There was the suspicion of twinkle
came in his eyes rs he said: Indeed!
Well, you don't look it,
The old fellow then entered the Of
flee, and went outside to the street.
A few days went by, and, although
nothing was found to sustain the theory
of the detectives, that fact did not lessen
the general suspicion which rested upon
me.
Indeed, it was case of surprise to me
that was not arrested. It would have
been an easy matter, for / had no
thought of hiding. The most public
streets during the daytime, and !: con-
cert or the theater at night, were frc-
quented by me. held my head erect,
as I had right to do; but it was with
heavy heart and a chastcned spirit that
I realized that people Stunned me.
Houses where had been on most friend
ly terms were closed against me.
l was tempted many times to seek
consolation and encouragement in the
presence of Florence Morley. but it did
not seem right nor kind to burden her
bright life with my troubles, even
should she consent to see me. of which
I was doubtful under the changed cir
cumstances. Perhaps it was this fear
which kept me away, as much as any
other idea
About week after the robbery a let
ter came to my board;ng-place:
'Mr. Nelson Conway-Dear Sir: II con-
venient, kindly favor me with an oppor-
tunity for conversation this evening at
eight. remain in town over night, and you
will find me at my city residence.
SYLVESTER MORLEY"
Wondering what he could wish to say
to me. I repaired to his house ut the
time mentioned.
Mr.. Morley received me in the library,
and arose from his chair as entered.
SSroor1 x,.o,;,c Mr. Corxvox. 10
gravely said, bowling his head. "Pleasc
be seated"
After I had chosen a chair on the Op-
posite side of the room, and he had re-
sumed his seat, he began, somewhat re-
luctantly, but in his stately, courteous
way:
"Our conversation may prove unsat-
isfactory to you. If SO, beg your par
don in advance. OF course you are
aware that the public in general con-
meets your name with that daring and
mysterious affair at the bank"
II know very well, sir, that it is so,'
1 replied, sadly.
''Now, do not mind saying that do
not necessarily condemn man because
he is suspected" Mr.. Morley continued.
"In a case like yours the general pub
lies opinion does not influence my opin-
ion. At the same time, the general
public is not to- be blamed so much,
after all. Thespeople form their opin-
ions from the newspapers, and I am
sorry to note that the papers 90 not
seem friendly toward YOU
''That is true, sir" answered. land
cannot imagine why they should take
that stand, when nothing, absolutely
nothing. can be found to criminate me-
II can furnish no idea why it is so;
1 simply state 4 fact. AS intimated, it
is not my custom to condemn a man
before he has been found guilty. But,
whatever my private opinion may be, in
this case YOU must understand that the
suspicion which has fallen upon you
will necessarily preclude continual
ton of the friendly relations which have
existed between you and-and my
household"
ooh, sir. YOU cannot believe in your
heart that l had anything to do with
the banks loss:'' exclaimed, bitterly,
for, kindly rs was his manner, the
words he spoke seemed to strike knell
to my fondcst hopes.
II have already said all care to say
on that score" Mr.. Morley replied,
rather coldly.
"And-and your daughter, Sir" l
went on, with trembling voice; she
does not share the general suspicion:
A smile fitted across his face for
moment. Then he became grave again,
and regarded NE earnestly. He did not
reply for some time; he seemed to be
considering his answer.
"My daughter is rather indignant;
she thinks that you are unJustly
treated he finally said.
I could not restrain myself on near.
irg this. l sprang from my seat ana
approached him.
mfr. Morley, you do not know what
Il means to me to hear this. You cannot
imagine how your daughters opinion
gu. mo with hone. Nav | ask you, Sir,