The Delta independent., 1898-01-14

"Did Jackson do it?" the president
asked. turning to me. ! nodded my
head.
"why should he? What was Mr..
Morley"
Fortunately, Skinner, who had arisen
after his whispered conversation with
Wilson, and gone poking about in the
corners and behind the empty barrels
and boxes, here uttered n shout which
caused us all to glance in his direction.
He was tugging at some object inside
Of a barrel, and soon brought out n
large valise, which from its apparent
weight and plethoric appearance was
stuffed full.
'Ah, that looks promising" ejacu-
lated Mr.. Perry, starting eagerly for
ward.
The valise was deposited on the floor,
and the president went down on his
knees, in great excitement, to tumble
with the catch.
"Let me get ut it," said Wilson.
While the two were endeavoring to
open the bag, Skinner came to where
was standing, and, gazing down on the
dead man, said, in soft tones: This
will go hard with the young lady"
There was nothing particularly
striking in his words, but the tone of
his voice had SO much genuine feeling
in it that l voluntarily turned and ex-
tended my hand.
II hope you'll forgive me-" I said.
"You bet" he replied, grasping my
hand. You did pretty near choke the
daylight out of me, though. What n
grip you've got!" he added, with n
bright smile. But then that's all
right. I'm thankful you didn't shoot.
I was going TO tell you who 1 was, as
there was no use for further conceal
ment from you, but you didn't give me
any chance"
"Why was the whole affair kept from
me 30 carefully ?" asked.
The question, for some reason, en-
barrassed Mr.. Skinner.
II guess Wilson thought you were n
little hot-hcaded, and might give the
thing AWAY by too much ZEAL" he final
ly replied, hcsitatingly.
1 regarded him closely, for some
how 1 felt sure his answer was not n
true one; but he was gazing at the body
at his feet in seeming sorrow.
murmured: II tell you this will cut
the young woman up terribly"
ut will indeed. And who is to tell
her!" I exclaimed, in anguish.
THAT is your duty, Mr.. Conway. She
wouldn't take it the same from anyone
else as she would from YOU" Then
he continued, earnestly: Yes, you're
the one to tell her, and the only one
who can give her any comfort-if there
is any to be had. Poor lady! / hope
you won't think me too forward in say
ing that she thought good deal of
you; she was SO anxious to get you
cleared, and kept imploring me all the
time to hurry up and find the real rob-
bcrs."
Bless my dear loves kind and true
heart! And now to have her sweet
young life plunged into such grief and
sorrow! 1t seemed cruel, oh, most
cruel!
again grasped Skinner's hand and
pressed it. "My God, how can tell
her!" 1 exclaimed, the tears starting to
my eyes.
"Nelson! Nelson!"
1t was Mr.. Perry who called, and who
came up to me with his face aglow.
"As far as q hasty examination goes. ]
have reason to believe the greater part
of the bonds are here, minus the inter
est coupons for the past year. The
rascal must have converted those into
cash; anyhow, they are gone.''
$50 it did pay you for responding so
quickly to my telegram" 1 remarked
Your telegram" he repeated, in
surprise. II received none"
Then / explained to him, and when /
had finished he said: why, you see.
the reason did not receive it was that
was already ut Twineburgh. Will
son telegraphed me this morning. and
i came up on the noon train"
"Mr. Perry came into the office half
an hour after you left" replied Mr..
Wilson. IL sent the dispatch after 1
left here"
'How did you know Jackson would
come to the cellar to-night?" asked,
curiously.
Mr.. Wilson glanced around before an
swering. Then he sunk his voice down
low, as though afraid he might be
heard by the others:
Have you forgotten the voices in
your bedroom and up in the attic?
The conversation was the most for
tunnte chance that ever befell me in my
whole professional career"
"Oh, then, you think Jackson was
one Of the parties holding the conver-
sation?" asked.
"Assuredly. Has not the result
proved thnt2" he replied.
"But then, who-who could have
been the otherr' asked, with great
fear and dread.
Wilson dropped his head and seemed
to be considering his reply.
Impossible to answer that qu>s-
tion." he finally said. reluctantly.