The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-08-18
"You intend marrying herP"
81 have her fathers consent"
"Ahl / congratulate YOU"

Sonntag extended his hand and
smiled. But the smile died away imme-
diately, and the expression which fol-
lowed strangely disturbed me. Was 1t
sorrow? For what? Or was il pity?
Surely not pity for me!
went from the office resolved TO fol-
| low my lawyers advice just this once.
| Tomorrow was not far distant, and
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this all would prove TO be,
started on my five-mile walk homeward.
Fortunately, / encountered Sarah,
| who had driven TO Twineburgh to do
some trading, and who was just climb
ing into her wagon as came up.
Hello, Sarah," l called, as she was
about to take up the lines. "Will you
give me a hft?"
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as l climbed up beside her.
AS we were crossing the track at Sid
| ington, was considerably surprised to
see the station agent at work on the
platform handling some freight. The
fellow really seemed to be ubiquitous.
| had encountered him in Nelsonville.
in Sonntag's Office, and now again at
the station attending to his duties.
His back was toward us and he did
not notice the wagon and its occupants.
Sarah pulled up the team at my re-
quest and ! climbed down from the
wagon. l was Gu ious to note again
what effect my presence would have on
the fellow. When / had moved some
distance from the team (for l did not
propose to endanger Sarah's life in
case he took it into his head to fire at
me AGAIN., placing my hand on my re-
volver as it rested in my pocket, i
called to him:
Hello, there! l say, you, Skinner!"
The fellow dropped the truck handles
and turned quickly. Then he fed swift
| ly along the platform toward the door
of the station house, through which he
bolted.
But l was not watching him. His
fight and the manner of it was per-
ceived simply because his form was in
the line of vision.
1t was upon the bow-window in the
telegraph office that my gaze was fixed.
For, at my hail, face had appeared at
that window, and then was quickly
withdrawn.
Did my sight deceive me, or was it
really the face of Horace Jackson?
Following natural impulse,
sprang upon the platform and went to
the door. 1t was locked. Then l tried
the door leading into the ladies' wait
ing-room, but that was also locked
l walked around the place few times
and peered into each window, but no
one was to be seen.
1t was no surprise that the fellow
Skinner should wish to avoid me, but
if the other face had seen belonged to
Jackson, why should he desire to hide
from me?
Probably Jackson. having heard that
/ was residing at Nelsonville, and know
ing that l must therefore have met
Florence Morley and have been in
formed by her of his contemplate man.
ner of trying to win her, thought il
best not TO meet me.
If he wished to avoid me he was al
liberty to do so. 1t was trivial circum.
stance, at any rate, and so left the
platform and climbed back upon the
wagon.
What for he run SOP" inquired Sarah
as she drove on.
''Oh, 1 have little account to settle
with him, and he is afraid of me,
suppose" replied.
Der vas anoder man too-in de vim
der" she continued.
You saw him, then. Yes, thought
there was. But couldn't find either
of them, and the doors were all locked ="
Sarah was much puzzled at the oc.
currence, and made numerous remarks
and asked many questions in the en-.
deavor to obtain more light; but / did
not crafty her curiosity and answered
ony in monosyllables.
My mind was in even greater whirl
of perplexity than my old nurses.
Why had Skinner tried to shoot me
and why, after thus showing some pow.
erful animosity toward me, should he
now appear such a craven that he fed,
evidently in great fear, from my pres
ence? What was the fellows real intent
and purpose in engaging himself to
Florence as detective? Was he really
a detective?
jackson had recommended him TO
Florence. What bond existed between
Jackson and Skinner? And, moreover,
who was Sonntag? These three men
seemed somehow strangely connected
with my life, but how and TO what end ?
Sarah, do yor know anything about
Mr.. Sonntag?" finally asked.
"Ach, yes. He is your lawyer, amt
hep"
Yes, yes. But do you know anything
about him? He has not been in Twine-
burgh very long, has he?"
No. Aloud six months. He is n
very nice man, and goot Won, too"
Sarah replied, convincingly.
THAT seems to be the general opin.
ion regarding him. Do you know any
thing about the station agent?"
Il tont know nodding aboud him"
He came here about the same time
that Sonntag did, believe"
"Nes, l guess So"
sarah" l began, again, after a
pause, "can your husband be relied up
on toface danger?"
"Danger?"
YES. Don't be alarmed; l don't
know of any; but supposing some sud
den danger arose before him, would he
have tho ppr1.o ora 70 ynaat