Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-05-26
CHAPTER vIu.-CoNrrNuEp.

CHAPTER VIII.-CoNrINCEp.
When we arrived at the cross roads.
Florence insisted on riding her horse
the rest Of the way TO her home.
A thought occurred 20 me after had
assisted her TO remount. laid my hand
on the bride to restrain her going.
DO you mind II ask you q ques-
tion7" inquired.
"Assuredly not"
Then tell me, do you see much Of
Horace Jsckson7 Has he asked you to
marry him7"
Yes, ne has asked me TO marry him"
she replied, dropping her head "In-
deed, there 10 . compact between us
about IT,"
Obi"
. Yes. Now. please do not be foolish
and feel badly over IL. But have prom
ised Mr.. jackson that I will marry him
n the robbery can be traced to you. spd
the stolen property, or . portion oft,
be found In your possession"
Good heavens! Why did you give
him that promise7"
swell, he bothered me so, lately, that
I gave him the promise TO get rid of
him. His part of the compact Is not 10
mention the subject again until You are
shown to be the robber. So you see how
absolutely safe I am In this"
Docs jackson believe I am guilty o.
! asked.
"No. he does not. In his Utmost heart
he does not. And he used TO affirm his
belief in your Innocence until" She
hesitsted here. and seemed reluctant TO
proceed. I waited In anxiety, and she
finally went on-"until lately he, for
some reason, has changed his oPinion.
At least so he saws. And it made me
angry when he told me that he had.
Thes-lt was Ieave him the promise"
How long Ia ID since you discovered
that he had ehanged7"
= "About six weeks ago. I have not
seen him since. He and his father had
. terrible quarrel that day, and he has
not been here since then"
what reason did he give for now be-
lievine was the guilty party7"
ssked.
''oh. he mumbied something about
discoveries recently made which would
throw new light on the case"
Florence gased earnestly into my
face. and she must have noticed the
troubled expression upon II. For she
leaned toward me and with great earn
estness exclaimed: Nelson, oh. tell
me. you had nothing to do with IL, did
youy"
"Florence!-
Forgive me; know you are hon
est and true" She laid her hand upon
mine Il viii not wrong you by the
least doubt. But jackson seemed so
confident. There is no way by which
. seeming proof Of the robbery could
be shown against you, il there7"
Good heavena. how could there be?''
I exclaimed. oh. I zee II aIl." I went
on bitterly. jackson has become
wealthy, and II trying to ingratiate
himself with your father ind under
mine my reputation with you and 90
finally gain your hand"
Florence listened to my incoherent
outburst with an amused smile.
DO you like jackson at all? Is he
agreeable to you" ] asked. in jealousy
The smile died from her face and her
eyes Aashed With an angry fire.
Like himf No. indeed; detest the
man. ] hate him. This outburst made
me happy. and 4 lsughed merrily.
ut y not kind Of you 10 compel me to
show temper" shs said. But remem-
Der. sir. yoa provoked me IL. tits not
only forfhyseif acne that I dislike him.
bat Il seems to me that he is the cause
Of the change that has come over my
father lately. Ever since that quarrel
father he's been - different
In what respect7" asked. sympa-
tAetically.
He seems terribly worried and
anxious."
1T = probably business care. There
are very few men directing great en-.
terprises who have not times Of worry
and snxiety, who have not financial
storms and the fear of wreck to face. .
I added, eonsolingiy. "And as for the
quarrel with Jackson, that was prob.
eoly no more than difference of opin.
ION regarding business methods. Jack.
son told ne once he had business rela.
lions with your father. and that Is wha,
makes me almost fearful that he will
gain you after ALL"
But have promised you; what more
can you ssks I would not marry Mr.
Jackson even n I had never met you,'
Fiorence said, with . decided shake Of
her hsad.
sUnlsss h was proved I robbed the
bank. " I suggested.
No. not even then. I'd rather die"
''0h, my darling love!" burst out
Il Dust Be hrst in your heart or moth,
tnt-6 or nothingi"
what . foolish fellow you are!
You make me feel quite hurt at your
Implied doubt Of me"
ehe urged her horse forward few
steps, then turned her face toward me
~nest easy shout that" with the true
uGht In her eyes. You are first, dear
one-1ut now, Afst always"
I made . spring for the bride, but
~ = nerry lau4 B, she gave her horse
- NJ - elp6sd me.
vuo1pG - dear form rising and
q - = - - slong the road, then