The Holly chieftain., 1898-08-12
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TtI TtI47fiiItItIt'IfSIftIn
A CLEM BY WIRE
Or. An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD II. Y0ST.
Copyright. ,sse. By B. LIppincot, Co.
CHAPTER. XI.-CosT1yUED.

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 subject which seemed TO cause
her distress.
And what can you tell me about the
station agent at Sidington?" asked.
oh, Nelson. how puzzled 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 answercI.
But why should he want to shoot
you?" she exciaiued.
That is as much mystery to me as
TO you. Who is the fellow, anyhow?
Where did he come from? His real
name, understand. is Skinner"
YES. that is his real name" was
Florence's answer
why, what reaso could he have had
for telling me his name was Hunter?
Tell me what you know about him, my
dear" ! demanded. for / thought she
really appeared somewhat reluctant to
$50 M ihC k-FAA Ni IlI4oi llol-
Florence. who is he?"
He is detectige," she answered.
"A detective! He! What is he do
ing about here?" asked, in astonish-
ment.
Promise me you will not breathe a
word" Florence said, earnestly. hold
ing up her forefnger in emphasis.
! II promise solrrg y"
And promise you viii not think me
very foolish girl
| "Never!"
well, then. after the bank robbery
| used to read all the papers to ascer-
tain If the robbers had been discovered.
The time went by, and you, poor boy,
were still under the cruel suspicion.
Why. Nelson, nearly all of your old
| friends believe you had hand in the
affair"
"Oh, l know thui!" 1 answered,
gloomily sand l was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence OF
the only true friend l seemed to have
at that time" kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
Indeed you were foolish, and cruel.
too" Florence murmured. six months
went by, and you went to Europe.
Nothing was discovered regarding the
robbery; and, what was worse, moth
ing seemed to be done in the matter.
Every one seemed to have forgotten all
about it, except that you were the
| guilty one: that was not forgotten
Oh, Nelson, felt so sorry for you, /
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have been.
So / made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You!"
Yes. 1t was foolish, I know, but
I could not resi- tuntil | determined to
try and clear ydn."
For few poI ents my heart was too
full for speed "And what did you
do?" ] asked. gently.
II did not tant father to know. so
asked Mr.. Jsk1son to send the best de-
tective he know of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very kindly disposed toward
you at that tine; he did as requested,
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
$50 you hirea detective to trace the
robbers?"
"Yes."
"And that falow skinner-is he the
one?"
Yes. I suppose it was foolish
thing to do, fG nothing seems to have
come of it, although Mr.. Skinner keeps
telling me he y on the right track now,
and will soon ave them"
Foolish, Wa it? Oh. my darling!"
l exclaimed, a caught her hands in
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could ny no more then, choked
as l was by ny emotion. The noble,
true-hearted girl! Impelled by her love
for me and her absolute faith in my
integrity, Undertaking alone to estab-
lish my INNOCENCE, while all the world
remained Indifferent! l saw the noble
ness, the willingness to make sacrifice
for her love, back of it all, and tears
came into myeyes and great thank
fulness into my heart. What for
tunate fellow Twas. after all, to be per-
mitted to inspire such devotion
But if skinner is in your employ and
therefore working in my interest, why
should he endeavor to shoot me?" 1
finally remarkal.
"Oh. Nelson, 4 don't know. ! cannot
understand it," she replied, as deeply
perplexed as I was.
How does it happen that he is sta
ton agent at Sidington? Why does he
remain here at sll?"
Father procured the position for
him at my request. The detective said
it was the best place to watch the rob-
bers from. for absolute secrecy was
necessary, and no one would suspect
the station agent Mt retired place like
Sidington of being detective. OF
course l did not tell father that the
man for whom / desired the position
was n detectiye."
l made no reply to her last words. In
deed. could not My mind was in
whirl
1T is all so mysterious, and now
your dear life is hreatened!" Florence
exclaimed, the tears again coming TO
her eyes and falling down her cheeks.
| While again endeavoring to calm her
the sound of approaching footsteps
reached us.
CHAPTER MI.
Mr.. Morley came down the path from
the house. At first he did not see us,
and Florence called, which caused him