The Holly chieftain., 1898-06-17

on your advancement and pledged my
official word that you would prove
faithful to the trust. / had such con-
fidence in you that did not even con-
slider it necessary to put you on your
guard by telling you this at the time"
There was no necessity. sir, TO put
me on my guard. My duties would not
have been performed any better or more
honestly and faithfully had known
this. thank you for your kindness,
however"
Stung by his implied doubt Of me.
and knowing my absolute innocence
and how had given my best efforts
in the discharge Of my duties, had
Strengthened up proudly.
My grandfather before he died had
written on the fy-leaf of primer of
mine: BE strong IN adversely; that
stamps the mani" did not realize the
full meaning of the words then. But
they came to me now in full force.
II am sorry I gave way 80. 1t was
foolish fear. am innocent of any
wrong, and am confident that my in
nocence will be proved some time. I'm
til it is, 1 will try to bear the suspicion
as patiently as possible" said, calmly.
Here some members of the examining
committee came hurriedly in. what is
this I hear?" 'How did 1t happen" 2"
"Whom do you suspect?" These were
some Of the exclamations that reached
my ear as they crowded around the
president.
One by one the trustees came in. One
of the last to arrive was Mr.. Morley,
but he passed on to the committee room
without noticing me.
thought OF Florence, and wondered
what she would think of 1t all. After
my happiness of the evening before, to
be crushed under such blow Of fate
was most cruel. But resolved not to be
crushed. There came to me kind Of
exhilaration of spirit in making this
resolve, and when, after awhile, / was
summoned before the trustees, it nerved
me for the ordeal through which
knew must pass.
After telling all I knew, which I did
in as concise manner as possible, q
deluge of questio was hurled at me,
nearly every one OF the IS or 20 MEM
bers of the board taking hand in the
cross-examination.
"You say you were out Of town last
night and did not return until q few
minutes before ten this morning?"
asked one Of the vice presidents.
"Yes, SIR" answered.
"You have not stated where you
were, and how you spent the time"
the man continued. perhaps the re-
manning trustees share with me . nat
ural curiosity to know this7"
Ihesitated In giving answer, noticing
which my questioner glanced around
triumphantly, az though he had scored
a point against me.
aYou do not answer" he finally said.
.'Of course you need not II your answer
will criminats yourself
ut II not the fear Of eliminating my
self that causes me to hesitate in my
answer replied, casting an appealing
glance In the direction Of Mr.. Morley.
That gentleman turned his eyes to-
ward me, and I thought thsrs WAS rather
. pleassd expression about them. He
smiled sfaveiy and bowed his hsad.
II spent the evening q Mr.. 1or1ey's
place in Eairlawu," quietly aid. In,
terpreting that gentleman.s inclins<aon
Of h1s hsad as perznission totell.
K Ny anAwer oreatsd s0me SnrpriDe, and
all eyes were turned upou NJ. Morley.
Such wers that gentlsmAu's position
and standing dat The mare fnSt that !
had visited at his house produced .
phango' IN ne r1auistr u quDst tlbnine
me. The qn6stfons wers eoushed In
.hore tespectful tsrt1G, I
And wher4did yoa - 4susn Nr. Nor
llsy's plsks3s he examiner Went -.
~ ~ 1stsiswn Aetsi ! Feylied. 4