The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-22
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTINUED.
Copyright, 1906. BY J. B. LippincOtt Co.


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 a subject which seemed to cause
Der distress.
And what can you tell me about the
citation agent at Sidington?" 1 asked.
"Oh, Nelson! how puzzled L am over
what you have told me! You say he
tried to shoot you?"
Eyes; but do not agitate yourself
ever that. He did not hit me, you
know 1 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"
Yes, that is his real NAME" was
FIorence'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" I demanded, for 1 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 heref-, asked, in astonish-
ment
Promise me .ou will not breathe a
word" Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her forefnger in emphasis.
II promise sOlemnly."
"And promise you will not think me
n 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 a hand in the
affair"
"Oh, 1 know that" 1 answered,
gloomily. "And 1 was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence of
the only true friend 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
fhof
Oh, Nelson, felt so sorry for you! l
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have been.
So made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You!"
eyes 1t was foolish, know, but
I could not rest until determined to
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was toe
full for speech. And what did you
do?" 1 asked, gently.
II did not want father to know, sc
! 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
Iobbers?'
Eyes"
'And that fellow ;3xinner-is he the
one?"
yes. 1 suppose it was a foolish
thing to do, for nothing seems to have
come of it, although Mr.. Skinner keep
telling me he is on the right track now
and will soon have them"
Foolish, was it? Oh, my darling!
exclaimed, as 1 caught her hands il
mine and gazed down into the swee
face. 1 could say no more then, choket
as was 10y my emotion. The noble
true-hearted girl! Impelled by her low
for me and her absolute faith in m.
integrity, undertaking alone to estab
hshsmy innocence, while all the worl'
remained Indifferent! l saw the noble
ness, the willingness to make sacrific
for her love, back of it all, and tear
came into my eyes and great thanB
fulness into my heart. What foI
tunate fellow l was, after all, to be pei
mitted to inspire such devotion!
But if Skinner is in your employ an
therefore working in my interest, VIII
should he endeavor to shoot me?"
finally remarked.
"Oh, Nelson, don't know. canno
understand it," she replied, as deepl
perpleXed as l was.