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

upon the father. There was no wonder
that Florence had expressed concern
for her parent. Even the momentary
glimpse l had caught of him on the
morning after my arrival showed me
change. And now that closer in
spection was possible, the difference
Between the Mr.. Morley of year ago
and the man now standing before me
was startlingly apparent. He certainly
looked like sick man.
"You had better sit down, sir" said,
in commiseration for his weakness.
Mr. Morley sank down upon rustic
seat and I remained standing before
him, awaiting his words with emotions
alternating between hope and fear.
IL have lost somewhat of late
business reverses," he murmured.
Then, suddenly fixing his eyes on my
face in searching glance, he said:
my daughter was weeping. What was
the reasonP What did you say to her
to cause her tears?"
1T was her own tender heart that
caused her to weep" replied, after
pause, during which / considered what
answer | should make. For it did not
seem right to add any fresh trouble to
the already overburdened man.
He regarded me with questioning
look, and added: "She was sorry, sir,
that my innocence has not been estab-
lished. This was partly the cause for
her tears. am deeply grateful for
her tender sympathy"
"Oh!" The hard lines of his face
relaxed; he drew long breath. "She
thinks very highly of you, Conway"
Your words give me the keenest
pleasure, Mr.. Morley, and offer me an
=, opportunity to lay before you sub
ject which may prove unpleasant l
said, eagerly.
Mr.. Morley started; then tremor
ran over him. What was the matter
with the man that he seemed to take
alarm, first at my presence and now at
my words? If he was so bound up in
his daughter that he was fearful of
having her leave him, even to marry the
man she loved, there seemed small hope
of obtaining his consent.
In the fear that l should lose my love,
after all, l poured out my earnest
words.
"Mr. Morley, I want Florence to be
my wife. There is no use mincing mat
tiers; tho simple fact is, l must have
her. She loves me, and my love for her
is part of life itself. viii you not give
your consent?"
TO my disappointment he lodged the
question altogether.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"Here?"
eyes. Why did you come to Nelson
ville?"
"Ts find rest and quiet and peace; to
escape peoples cruel tongues" l ex.
claimed impatiently Il give you my
word of honor, sir" l went on, think,
ing OWNED what his thought was, 81
knew nothing of your living in Nelson.
vile. No idea was farther from my
mind than that I should meet Florence
here. But l cannot help telling you
how my meeting her has lightened the
burden of the past year, how her love
makes my life appear bright before
! me, and shine even through the CLOUD
which still rests upon my honor. You
of course, can withhold your consent
but, tell you openly, shall in that
case do my utmost to persuade her tc
marry me against your WISH"
l was startled by my boldness in
speaking as did, but the words were
out, and would not have recalled them
if | could.
FLORENCE would not marry withou'
my consent" Mr.. Morley remarked
with the trace of smile.
"Ah, sir, know that well. We car
wait until my innocence is proved. But
it would be most cruel to us both should
you withhold your consent"
"You are still sanguine, then, o.
your innocence being established?"
Most assuredly, sir"
Why an anxious look should appear
on his face | could not tell then.
know the many sudden changes of ex
preston which came over him during
the conversation caused me consider
able surprise at the time.
IL have not kept track of that af
fair" he began feebly, "having beer
fully occupied with my own concerns
Have-er-have there been any new de.
velopments, any discoveries upon which
you base your hopeP"
IAN innocent man cannot be made
to suffer forever, according to all laws
of truth and justice. l firmly believe
my name will be cleared, perhaps soon
er than expected"
"Then your hopes are based on mere
sentiment, and not on any discovery
bearing on the case?" Mr.. Morley asked
'Mostly on the idea that truth viii
eventually prevail" replied, epigram
matically.
"a most unstable anchorage nova
days. Facts and proofs are what the
practical world demands. So, then, yor
ask me to rescind my request made OF
you a year ago, Notwithstanding the
fact that the conditions remain the
same. You have broken your promise
to me; how then am to know that YOU
protestations of love for my daughter
are sincere"
I stared at the man in establishment
for his words were delivered in cold
matter-of-fact manner, and, if there
had been any reason for it, l should
have thought there was triumphant
ring in the tones of his voice.
The idea that Horace Jackson had &C
+nallv succeeded in persuading the ia