Daily camera., 1897-08-23

Oh, think, sir, what this terrible al
fair means to me! 1t is fearful bur-
den for a young fellow to bear who is
wholly I'M! !ocent"
"It is, indeed. But, you see, it is this
way. The! bank is public institution.
and I, as cts head, dare not let my per-
sonal feelings interfere with my duty
to the public Personally, it does not
seem possible that you could have any
connection with the loss of the peoples
money"
"Oh, thank you, Mr.. Perry! 1 knew
you could not think"
He cut me short. Officially, l must
hold you in doubt, so much so at least
that l cannot give you back your po-
sition."
"And did you suppose I expected to
remain ?" asked Indignantly. 81 could
not. l want to hold no position where
absolute and perfect confidence is not
felt in me. You can consider this as my
resignation. sir" I added.
81 am glad you look upon it in that
light. 1t is manly. sir" said Mr.. Perry.
Sand, Nelson,.n even the restoration
of the missing funds would give me as
great pleasure as the establishment of
your innocence"
"Never fear, sir, my innocence will
soon be proved. 1t cannot be otherwise,
for / am innocent" | said, confidently.
81 have a small estate which came to
me from my grandfather" | continued.
Every cent shall be expended, if nee
essary, for the purpose of proving my
innocence"
"You can do as you see fit about that"
the president said after long pause,
during which he seemed to be ponder
ing over my words. But if you wish
for my advice, l would say, do nothing
whatever on your own hobk. Nelson,"
he continued coming close up to me and
speaking low, "secret measures have al
ready been begun to solve the mystery,
and they will be thorough and far
reaching. This is wholly. Independent
of any Investigations the police au
thorities may undertake. You see, my
boy, that / do trust and believe in you,
after all. What l have told you is in
strict confidence. Live as quietly and
patiently as possible under the cloud.
Take trip to Europe, and enjoy your
self"
NO. I'll stay and face the music. I
am not afraid of any Investigations
which may be made into my life
"Well, good-by now. Imust not allow
you to take up any more of my time. l
beg of you to follow my advice, and un
dertake no search on your own hook.
In spite of Encouragement, heartache,
or long delay, do nothing yourself
He shook my hand heartily, and left
him.
AS I was going out the door leading
into the lobby, ! ran against a man just
coming in. He was an old fellow, small
and thin, and had piercing steel-blue
eyes. He rebounded a trife from the
collision, then gazed at me sharply.
81 beg your pardon" l said. Il hope
1 did not hurt you?"
NO. Not much, at any rate. | want
to see the president. Are you the presi-
dent? ?" he asked.
There seemed to me to be something
insolent 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
fce," l replied, curtly "As for me, l
am bank robber.'
There was the suspicion of twinkle
came in his eyes as he said. Indeed!
Well, you don't look it."
The old fellow then entered the Of
fee, and l 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 a case of surprise to me
that / was not arrested. 1t would have
been an easy matter, for l had no
thought of hiding. The most public
streets during the daytime, and con-
cert or the theater at night, were fire.
quented by me. l held my head erect,
as had right to do; but it was with
heavy heart and chastened spirit that
/ realized that people Stunned me.
Houses where had been on most friend
ly terms were closed against me.
I 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
1 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 let
ter came to my boarding-place:
.'Mr. Nelson Conway-Dear Sir: If con-
yenient, kindly favor me with an oppor-
tunity for conversation this evening at
eight / remain in town over night, and you
viii find me at my city residence.
SYLVESTER MORLEY"
Wondering what he could wish to say
to me, repaired to his house at the
time mentioned
Mr.. Morley received me in the library,
and arose from his chair as entered