The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-01-29

iSht way, Noulu mean 10 Il florence mac
been growing stronger and stronger in
my mind. and l finally broke down un-
der II, covered my face with my hands
and groaned aloud.
Soon felt touch on my arm. Glanc.
ing up. i saw Mr.. Perry standing be-
side me.
ut is most terrible affair, Nelson
but never mind, my boy" he said. soft.
ly, in an attempt at comfort. His next
words told me, however, that he did
not know the real cause for my grief
II know how you must feel to have q
horrible event like this happen on your
place. But you are cleared, at any rate.
1t will soon be known that you are in.
nocent of the crime the suspicion of
which you have borne so long and so
patiently"
made an effort at control and when
| again addressed Mr.. Perry noticed
Wilson and Skinner holding a whis-
pered conversation. The younger
mans face was toward me, and as
his eye caught mine there was so
much pity and sympathy in it that
could not help feeling some wonder.
ITO think of it all happening on my
grandfather's place, whose character
was as far removed from anything
criminal as heaven is high above
.arth." I finally managed to murmur,
unwilling to state the real cause of my
emotion.
"Is he quite dead?" Mr.. Perry asked
again. turning to Wilson. For an
swer the detective pulled back his coat
and vest and pointed to the shirt bos-
ON, which was dyed with the life
stream.
"You see," he answered, quietly,
quite dead. Shot through the heart"
did Jackson do it?" the president
asked. turning to me. I nodded my
head.
"Why should he? What was Mr.,
Morley" .;tt
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 a shout which
,aused us all to glance in his direction.
He was Juggling at some object inside
of a barrel, and soon brought out
large valise, which from it's apparent
weight and plethoric appearance was
stuffed full. 's'~
"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 at it," said Wilson.
While the two were endeavoring to
open the bag, Skinner came to where l
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-" said.
"You bet" he replied, grasping my
hand. "You did pretty near choke the
daylight out of me, though. What a
grip you've got!" he added, with a
bright smile. "But then that's all
right. I'm thankful you didn't shoot
was going to tell you who 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 so carefully?" asked.
The question, for some reason, en-
barrassed Mr.. Skinner.
81 guess Wilson thought you were a
little hot-headed, and might give the
thing away by too much ZEAL" he final
ly replied, hcsitatingly.
regarded him closely, for some
how felt sure his answer was not a
true one; but he was gazing at the body
at his feet in seeming sorrow.
Then he shook his head, and again
murmured: II tell you this will cut
the young woman up terribly"
'It will indeed. And who is to tell
her!" 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! l 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-
bers."
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 SINNERS hand and
pressed it. "My God, how can 1 tel
her!" exclaimed, the tears starting tc
my eyes.
"Nelson! Nelson!"
1t was Mr.. Perry who called, and who
came up to me with his face aglow
Gas far as 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 SC
quickly to my telegram" l remarked