The Princeton union., 1900-07-12

Your lawyer and agent, and, Mr..
Conway, let me add, in sincerity, your
friend"
Somehow could not but believe him
at the thine. His words carried convic-
ton.
Pardon me for seeming imperti-
nent," Sonntag said, as he accompanied
me to the door, but have you seen Miss
Morley since your arrival?"
"Yes."
"And everything is all right?"
"Yes."
You intend marrying her?"
II have her fathers consent"
"Ah! l 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 it
sorrow? For what? Or was it 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 I
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this all would prove to be, I
started on my five-mile walk homeward.
Fortunately, 1 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," called, as she was
about to take up the lines. evil you
give me lift?"
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as 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
I 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 it's occupants.
Sarah pulled up the team at my re-
quest and I climbed down from the
wagon. I was curious to note again
what effect my presence would have on
the fellow. When I had moved some
distance from the team (for 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! 1 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 was not watching him. His
flight 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withdrawn.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 a natural impulse,
sprang upon the platform and went tc
the door. It was locked. Then I tried
the door leading into the ladies' wait
ing-room, but that was also locked
I walked around the place a few times
and peered into each window, but nc
one was to be seen.
It was no surprise that the fellow
Skinner should wish to avoid me, bu
if the other face had seen belonged tt
Jackson, why should he desire to hide
from me?
The idea of smashing in a window Of
breaking down a door, and thus gain
ing entrance, occurred to me, but OF
second thought abandoned it.
Probably Jackson, having heard tha
was residing at Nelsonville, and know
ing that 1 must therefore have me
Florence Morley and have been in
formed by her of his contemplate man
ner of trying to win her, thought i
best not to meet me.
If he wished to avoid me he was a
liberty to do so. It was trivial circum
stance, at any rate, and so left tn
platform and climbed back upon tn
wagon.
What for he run so?" inquired Saral
as she drove on.
''Oh, have a little account to settl
with him, and he is afraid of me,
suppose" I replied.
Der vas duOucI 1udIl IOO-ll uC VIZ
der" she continued.
'Iou saw him, then. Yes, though
there was. But I couldn't find eithe
of them, and the doors were all locked
Sarah was much puzzled at the o.
currence, and made numerous remark
and asked many questions in the Ell
deavor to obtain more light; but di
not crafty her curiosity and answere
ony in monosyllables.
My mind was in even greater whi
of perplexity than my old nurses.
Why had Skinner tried to shoot m
ard why, after thus showing some pov
erful animosity toward me, should
now appear such craven that he fe
5s evidently in great fear, from my pre-
ence? What was the fellows real inter
and purpose in engaging himself
Florence as detective? Was he real
detective?
Jackson had recommended him
171 +o1