The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-01-01
A CLEW BY WIRE.
Continued

to you. Who is the fellow, anyhow?
Where did he come from? His real
name, I understand, is Skinner"
Eyes, 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 l thought she
really appeared somewhat reluctant to
give me the desired information.
Florence, who is hep"
"He is a 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 forefnger in emphasis.
II promise solemnly."
"And promise you will not think me
very foolish girl?"
"Never!"
swell, then, after the bank robbery
I used to read all the papers to ascer-
tain if 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.""
sob, I know that!" I : answered,
gloomily. "And l was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence OF
the only true friend / seemed to have
at that time," kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
Indeed you were foolish, and cruel,
too" Florence murmured. six months
went 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 it, except that you were the
guilty one; that was not forgotten.
Oh, Nelson, felt so sorry for you! !
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have been.
So made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You!"
Eyes. 1t was foolish, l know, but
I could not rest until l determined to
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was too
full for speech. "And what did you
do?" l asked, gently.
81 did not want father to know, SC
I asked Mr.. Jackson to send the best de-
tective he knew of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very kindly disposed toward
you at that time; he did as requested
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
$50 you hired detective to trace the
robbers?"
| "Yes."
"And that fellow Skinner-is he the
one?"
Yes. I suppose it was foolish
thing to do, for nothing seems to havi
come of it, although Mr.. Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now
and will soon have them"
Foolish, was it? Oh, my darling!'
I exclaimed, as | caught her hands il
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could say no more then, choket
as | was by my emotion. The noble
true-hearted girl! Impelled by her!ovt
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 it all, and tears
came into my eyes and a great thank
fulness into my heart. What for
tunate fellow was, after all, to be per
mitted to inspire such devotion!
But if Skinner is in your employ ant
therefore working in my interest, why
should he cndeavor to shoot me?"
finally remarked.
"Oh, Nelson, don't know. / canno
understand it," she replied, as deeply
perpleXed as l was.
"How does it happen that he is sta
ton agent at Sidington? Why does hi
remain here at ALP"
Father procured the position fol-
him at my request. The detective sait
it was the best place to watch the rob
bers from, for absolute secrecy was
necessary, and no one would suspec
the station agent at retired place like
Sidington of being detective. 0
course l did not tell father that tn,
man for whom l desired the position
was detective"
made no reply to her last words. In
deed. l could not. My mind was in ;
whirl
ut is all so mysterious, and nov
your dear life is threatened" Florenc,
exclaimed, the tears again coming t.
her eyes and falling down her cheeks.
While again endeavoring to calm he
the sound of approaching footsteps
reached us.
CHAPTER XII.
Mr. Morley came down the path from
the house. AT first he did not see us
| and E1orapca po1laJ ,yb;ob oo,,rol I, =,