Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-10-26
hamlet of Jacksonville in characters of

hamlet OF JACKSONVILLE in characters of
fire on the present generation.
My wife and are spending the sum-
mer at her residence on Sunset hill,
and we drive over to the old house
every day to talk and to encourage
the young genius.
death; six months after that tragic
event Florence became my wife.
The first evening of our arrival at
Sunset hill was sitting on the porch,
watching the violet tints down in the
valley. My wife was slowly pacing up
and down the walk.
She had been very quiet and sober all
that day, and attributed her mood to
the sorrowful recollections which the
place would naturally call up.
Presently she came and knelt down
beside me. Resting her head on my
shoulder, she spoke.
II have something to tell you, my
Notwithstanding which have
kept hidden from you. But I have been
punished sufficiently; for there has not
been that absolute trust and confidence
between us that I wished. It is all my
fault. Promise to forgive me, and I
will tell you my secret"
/ laughed at her, and placed my arm
around her. ut must be something
terrible indeed" l exclaimed, in pre-
tended alarm. "But as you are my wife,
of course there is no other way but to
forgive the wrong"
Il believe-papa was concerned
in the bank-robbery," she finally MUIR
INJURED, in broken tones.
Good heavens, Florence! What can
you be dreaming off" exclaimed, in
great surprise.
ut is no dream; how wish it was!"
she answered, the tears falling fast.
mo dream, my husband. It is the
truth"
"How do you know it?" asked.
"When heard that Jackson was the
guilty one, and that papa had been
killed by him, I suspected then that
papa had something to do with the af-
fair. knew there was some business
relation between them that could not
understand; and then papa's secret
trouble during the six weeks before
he died was significant"
but. after all, this is only surmise,"
said, in an attempt to comfort her.
think of your fathers position. Think
how he loved YOU"
"Oh. Nelson. will never forget that;
l will always remember him by that
strong affection he had for me- But
what ! have told you is not surmise.
Just before we were married sent for
my detective, and insisted on knowing
the truth"
'Why, thought Wilson and Skin
ner knew nothing about Mr.. Morley's
connection with the affair."" l ex-
claimed.
"Oh, yes, they knew it, but out of re.
gard for you and me they had deter
mined to keep it secret, seeing that
papa was dead and a revelation of it
would do no good. If papa had lived,
they would have been compelled to
bring him to justice. l assigned all
the property to the bank, all except this
place, which was bought with money
left me by my mother. Papa was not
nearly SO wealthy as most people sup
posed, but believe what he had, along
with what was obtained out of Jack
sons estate, and what still remained of
the stolen property, fully reimbursed
the bank. That is why l came to you
poor girl instead of the heiress you
had reason to expect. So you see, my
husband, you married not only COM
paratively penniless girl, but a-a-oh,
Nelson!-a great criminals daughter!"
she faltered.
| caught her closer to me.
II married an angel. God help me to
be worthy of you'll" said, huskily.
Nov, dear heart" l added, after
awhile, do not distress yourself for