The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-16

neref1 conversation. The younger
mans face was toward me, AID as
his eye caught mine there was so
much pity and sympathy in it that l
could not help feeling some wonder.
s'To think of it all happening on my
grandfather's- place, whose character
was as far removed from anything
criminal as heaven is high above
EARTH" I finally managed to murmur,
unwilling to state the real cause of my
emotion.
"Is he quite dead o. Mr.. Perry asked
again, turning to Wilson. For an
swer the detective pulled back his coat
and vest and pointed to the shirt bos-
ON, which was dyed with the life
stream.
"You see," he answered, quietly,
"uuite dead. Shot through the heart"
did jackson do it?' the president
asked, turning to me. 1 nodded my
head.
"Why should he? What was Mr..
Morley"
Fortunately, Skinner, who had arisen
after his whispered conversation with
Wilson, and gone poking about in the
corners and behind the empty barrels
and boxes, here uttered a shout which
caused us all to glance in his direction.
He was Juggling at some object inside
of barrel, and soon brought out a
large valise, which from it's apparent
weight and plethoric appearance was
stuffed full.
"Ah, that looks promising!" ejacu-
lated Mr.. Perry, starting eagerly for
ward.
The valise was deposited on the floor,
and the president went down on his
knees, in great excitement, to tumble
with the catch.
"Let me get at it," said Wilson.
While the two were endeavoring to
open the bag, Skinner came to where I
was standing, and, gazing down on the
dead man, said, in soft tones: ''This
will go hard with the young lady"
There was nothing particularly
striking in his words, but the tone of
his voice had so much genuine feeling
in it that voluntarily turned and ex-
tended my hand.
81 hope you'll forgive me-" I said.
'You bet" he replied, grasping my
hand. "You did pretty near choke the
daylight out of me, though. What
grip you've got!" he added, with
bright smile. "But then that's all
right. I'm thankful you didn't shoot.
1 was going to tell you who was, as
there was nc use for further conceal
ment from you, but you didn't give me
any chance"
why was the whole affair kept from
me so carefully? % asked.
The question, for some reason, en-
barrassed Mr.. Skinner.
Il guess Wilson thought you were
little hot-headed, and might give the
thing away by too much ZEAL" he final
ly replied, hesitatingly.
I regarded him closely, for some
how felt sure his answer was not
true one; but he was gazing at the body
at his feet in seeming sorrow.
Then he shook his head, and again
murmured: 81 tell you this will cut
the young woman up terribly"
cit will indeed. And who is to tell
her!" exclaimed, in anguish.
"That is your duty, Mr.. Conway. She
wouldn't take it the same from anyone
else as she would from you" Then
he continued, earnestly: eyes, you're
the one to tell her, and the only one
who can give her any comfort-if there
is any to be had. Poor lady! I hope
you won't think me too forward in say
ing that she thought a good deal of
you; she was so anxious to get you
cleared. and kept imploring me all the
time to hurry up and find the real rob-
bers."
Bless my dear loves kind and true
heart! And now to have her sweet
young life plunged into such grief and
sorrow! It seemed cruel, oh, most
cruel!
again grasped SINNERS hand and
pressed it. "My God, how can I tell
her!" exclaimed, the tears starting to
my eyes.
Nelson! Nelson!"
1t was Mr.. Perry who called, and who
came up to me with his face aglow.
GAS far as hasty examination goes, I
have reason to believe the greater part
of the bonds are here, minus the inter-
est coupons for the past year. The
rascal must have converted those into
cash; anyhow, they are gone"
$50 it did pay you for responding so
quickly to my telegram" remarked
"Your telegram" he repeated, in
surprise. 81 received none"
Then I exDlained tn him aDd when T