Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-06-16
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTrNUED.

Being satisfied in my own mind that
the difference between Mr.. Morley and
jackson had arisen over business af-
fairs, I 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.
''0h. Nelson. how puzzled am over
what you have told me! You say he
tried to shoot you?"
'Yes; but do not agitate yourself
over that. He did not hit me, you
know" I answered.
But why should he want 10 shoot
your" she exclaimed.
THAT is as much a 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
Florence'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 / 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?" asked, in astonish-
ment.
promise me you will not breathe a
word" Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her forefnger in emphasis.
Il promise solemnly."
"And promise you will not think me
q very foolish girl?"
-Never."
'well, then, after the bank robbery
I used 10 read all the papers TO ascer-
tain IL 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, l know that" answered.
gloomily. "And / was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence of
the only true friend seemed 10 have
st that time" kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
Indeed you were foolish. and cruel.
went by, and you went 10 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 il, 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 made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You.-
; "Yes. II was foolish, / know, but
could not rest until determined to
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was too
full for speech. "And what did you
dor ] asked, gently.
Il did not want fsfbep-t ia know. 50
laslSed 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"
so you hired detective to trace the
robbers?"
yes"
"And that fellow skinner-is he the
one?"
"Yes I suppose IL was a foolish
thing to do. for nothing seems TO have
come of u. although Mr. Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now,
and will soon have them"
Foolish. was IL? Oh, my darl;ng,"
exclaimed, az caught her hands in
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could say no more then. choked
NJ ! was 10y my emotion. The noble,
true-hearted girl. Impelled by her love
for me and her absolute faith in my
integrity. undertaking alone TO estab-
hsh my Innocence. while all the world
remained indifferent! saw the noble
ness. the willingness TO make sacrifice
for her love. back of il all, and tears
csme into my eyes end q great thank.
fulness into my heart. What a for
tunate fellow was. after all. TO be per.
mitted to inspire such devotion,
But IL Skinner In In your employ and
therefore working In my interest, why
should be endeavor 10 shoot me?' ]
finally remarked.
''0h. Nelson. I don't know. canno,
understand IT," she replied. as deeply
perplexed as I was.
How does IL happen that he is sta.
ton agent at Sidington? Why does he
remain here at ail?"
'Fnther procured the position fol
him at my request. The detective saic
IL was the best place TO watch the rob
beers from. for absolute secrecy wa,
necessary, and no one would suspect
the station agent nj q retired place like
Sidington of being q detective. D
course ! did not tell father that tn,
man for whom ! desired the position
WINS q detective"
made no reply TO her last words. In
deed, I could not. My mind was in
whirl.
ut IL all % mysterious, and nov
your dear life 10 fhrestenedl" Florenc
exclaimed. the tenrs again coming Z,
Der eyes aud falling down her cheeks.
While again sndeavoring to calm be
the sanna OF approaching foofstep
rasheil 10