The Holly chieftain., 1898-08-19
you intend marrying Lcrr
II have her fathers consent.
"Ahi 1 CONGRATULATE you.r

diately. and the expression which fol-
lowed strangely disturbed me. Was Il
sorrow? For what? Or was II pity ?
Surely not pity for me!
went from the office resolved to fol-
low my lawyers advice just this once.
Tomorrow was not far distant. and
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this all would prove to be,
started on my five-mile walk homeward.
Fortunately, encountered Sarah.
who had driven to Twineburgh to do
some trading. and who was just climb
4 ing into her wagon Us came up.
| Hello. Sarah.- called, as she wus
about to take up the lines. 'sWill you
give me ift?'
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as climbed up beside her.
AS we were crossing the truck at Sid
ington. was considerably surprised to
see the station agent at work on the
platform handling some freight. The
fellow really seemed to be ubiquitous.
had encountered him in Nelsonville.
in Sonntag's Office, ind now again at
the station attending to his duties.
His back was toward us and he did
not notice the wagon and its occupants.
Sarah pulled up tho team at my re-
quest and 1 climbed down from the
wagon. l was curious to note again
what effect my presence would have on
the fellow. When I had moved some
distance from the team (for did not
propose to endanger Sarah's life in
case he took it into his head to fire at
me ngain), placing my hand on my re-
,olver MS 1t rested in my pocket.
called to him:
Hello, there! ! say, you. Skinner!''
The fellow dropped the truck handles
and turned quickly. Then he fed swift
ly along the platform toward the door
of the station house. through which he
bolted.
But was not watching him. His
fight and the manner of it was per-
ceived simply because his form was in
the line of vision.
1t was upon the bow-window in the
telegraph Office that my gaze was fixed.
For. at my hail, face had appeared at
that window. and then was quickly
withdrawn.
Did my sight deceive me, or was II
really the face of Horace Jackson2
Following natural impulse, ]
sprang upon the platform and went to
the door. It WAS locked. Then tried
the door leading into the ladies' wait
ing-room. but that was also locked
I walked around the place few times
and peered into each window, but no
one was to be seen.
1t was no surprise that the fellow
Skinner should wish to avoid me, but
If the other face had seen belonged to
jackson, why should he desire to hide
from me?
Probably jackson, having heard that
/ was residing at Nelsonville, and know.
ing that must therefore have met
Florence Morley and have been In
formed by her of his contemplate man
ner of trying to win her, thought II
best not to meet me.
II he wished to avoid me he was at
liberty to do 10. TWAS trivial circum-
stance, at any rate, and % left the
platform and climbed back upon the
wagon.
what for he run SOP inquired Sarah
az she drove on.
"Oh, have little account to settle
with him, and he il afraid Of me,
suppose" replied.
der vas anoder man too-in de vim.
DER she continued.
you saw him, then. Yes, thought
there was. But couldn't find either
Of them, and the doors were alllocked. =
Sarah was much puzzled at the oc-
currence. and made numerous remarks
and asked many questions in the en-.
deavor to obtain more light; but did
not crafty her curiosity and answered
ony in monosyllsbles.
My mind was in even greater whirl
Of perplexity than my old nurses.
Why had Skinner tried to shoot me
and why, after thus showing some pow.
erful animosity toward me, should he
now appear such craven that he fed,
evidently in great fear, from my pres
ence? What was the fellows real intent
and purpose in engaging himself to
Florence MS detective? Was he really
a detective?
Jackson had recommended him to
Florence. What bond existed between
jackson and Skinner? And, moreover,
who was SonntAg? These three men
seemed somehow strangely connected
with my life, but how and to what end
Sarah. do you know anything about
Mr.. Sonntag?" finally asked.
"Ach. yes. He il your lawyer, ain't
hep"
"Yes, yes. But do you know anything
about him? He has not been in Twine-
burgh very long. has hep"
mo. Aboud six months. He Il :
very nice man. and goot Won, too"
Sarah replied. convincingly.
THAT seems to be the general opin.
ion regarding him. Do you know any
thing about the station agent?"
| Il ton't know nodding aboud him.
HE came here about the sumo time
that Sonntag did. believe"
"Yes. guess so."
Sarah" began. again. after a
pause. 'can your husband be relied up
on to face danger?"
'.Danger?"
"Yes. Don't be alarmed; don't
know OF any; but supposing some sud-
den danger arose before him, would he
have the courage to meet it?'
| Eyes. II vas with him." was Sarah's
reply.
"When you are with him?"
Yes. I ton't know, II he vas alone,
bud he fight de devil II I am py him.