Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-05-12
A CLEW BY WIRE
Or, An Interrupted Current.
Ely HOWARD M. YOST.
Copyright. 1896. by J. B. Lippincott Co.
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTINUED.

BENG SatlShed 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 a subject which seemed to cause
her distress.
And what can you tell me about the
station agent at Sidington?" asked.
"Oh, Nelson! how puzzled l am over
tried to shoot you?"
"Yes; but do not agitate yourself
over that. He did not hit me, you
know" l answered.
But why should he want to shoot
you?" she exclaimed.
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"
eyes, that is his real name," was
Elorence's answer.
why, what reason could he have had
for telling me his name was Hunter?
Tell me what you know about him, my
dear" / demanded, for l thought she
really appeared somewhat reluctant to
give me the desired information.
Florence, who is hep"
-'He is a detective" she answered.
"A detective. He! What is he do
ing about here?" 1 asked, in astonish-
ment.
Promise me you will not breathe
word Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her forefinger in emphasis.
Il promise solemnly."
''And promise you will not think me
o 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"
ooh, I know that!" 1 answered,
gloomily. "And | 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 l made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You!"
eyes. 1t was foolish, I know, but
could not rest until 1 determined to
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was too
full for speech. And what did you
do? I asked, gently.
''I did not want father to know, so
I asked Mr.. Jackson to send the best de-
tective he knew of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very kindly disposed toward
you at that time; he did as requested,
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
$50 you hired a detective to trace the
robbers?"
Yes"
tEAnd that fellow Skinner-is he the
one?"
eyes. I suppose it was a foolish
thing to do, for nothing seems to have
come of it, although Mr.. Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now,
and will soon have them"
'Foolish, was it? Oh, my darling!"
I exclaimed, as | caught her hands in
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. I could say no more then, choked
as l was IDy my emoti N. The noble,
true-hearted girl! Imp He'd by her love
for me and her absolute faith in my
integrity, undertaking alone to estab-
tish my innocence, while all the world
remained Indifferent! | saw the noble
ness, the willingness to make sacrifice
for her love, back of it all, and tears
came into my eyes and great thank
fulness into my heart. What a for
ftunate fellow | was, after ALL to be per-
mitted to inspire such devotion!
"But if Skinner is in your employ and
Therefore working in my interest, why
tgylI 'uld he cnicavor to shoot me?" /
finally rema' ked.
: ooh, Nels~n, L don't know. I cannot
understand It," she replied, as deeply
,perplExed as ] was.