The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-26
A CLEW BY WIRE
Or, An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD M. YOST.
Copyright. 1896. by J. D. LlppIneou Co.
CHAPTER xI.-CoNTrNUEp.


Being satisfied in my own mind tina
the difference between Mr.. Morley an,
Jackson had arisen over business af
fairs, i sought TO lead Florence ava,
from n subject which seemed to caus
her distress.
"And what can you tell me about tn,
station agent at Sidington?" asked.
"Oh, Nelson! how puzzled am owe
what you have told me! You say b,
tried to shoot your"
"Yes; but do not agitate yourseli
over that. He did not hit me, you
know" 1 answered.
But why should he want to shoe,
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 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 forefinger in emphasis.
II promise solemnly."
"And promise you will not think me
a very foolish girl?"
"Neverl"
"Well. then. after the bank robbery
used to read all the papers 10 ascer-
tain II 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 hand in the
affair"
"Oh, / know thatl" 1 answered,
gloomily. "And / was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence of
the only true friend 1 seemed to have
at that time" kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
Indeed you were foolish, and cruel,
too" Florence murmured. "Six months
rent by, and you went to 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'll /
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have been.
So made up my mind to do something
myself"
"Youl"
Eyes. II was foolish. know. but
could not rest until / determined TO
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was too
iull for speech. "And what did you
do?" j asked, gently.
"I did not want father TO know, 80
Y asked Mr.. Jackson to send the best de-
sective he knew Of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very kindly disposed toward
you at that time; he did as l requested,
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
80 you hired detective TO trace the
robbers?"
Eyes"
"And that fellow Skinner-is he the
one?"
"Yes. I suppose IL was n foolish
thing TO do. for nothing seems to have
come of IL, although Mr.. Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now,
and will soon have them"
Foolish, was t.? Oh, my darlingl"
I exclaimed, as / caught her hands In
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could say no more then. choked
as / 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-
lish 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
came into my eyes and great thank
fulness into my heart. What n for
tunate fellow was, after all, TO be per-
mitted 20 inspire such devotion!
"But IL Skinner is in your employ and
therefore working in my interest, why
should he endeavor 10 shoot me?' L
finally remarked.
"Oh, Nelson, I don't know. cannot
understand IT," she replied, as deeply
pcrplsxed as i wns.