The Lamar register., 1901-09-25

mention the subject again until you are
shown TO be the robber. So you see how
absolutely safe am in this"
"Does jackson believe am guilty?"
I asked.
"No, he does not. In his inmost heart
he does not. And he used to affirm his
belief in your innocence until" She
hesitated here, and seemed reluctant to
proceed. waited in anxiety, and she
finally went on-"until lately he, for
some reason, has changed his opinion.
At least SO he SAYS. And it made me
angry when he told me that he had.
Then it was I gave him the promise"
'Tiow long il It since you discovered
that he had changed?"
about six weeks ago. have not
seen him since. He and his father had
a terrible quarrel that day, and he has
not been here since then"
What reason did he give for now be-
lieving I was the guilty party?"
asked.
"Oh, he mumbled something about
discoveries recently made which would
throw new light on the case"
Florence gazed earnestly into my
face, and she must have noticed the
troubled expression upon it. For she
leaned toward me and with great earn
estness exclaimed: "Nelson, oh, tell
me, you had nothing to do with it, did
you?"
"FlorenceI"
"Forgive me; know you are hon.
he 1osI har bar
mine. II will not wrong you by the
least doubt. But jackson seemed SO
confident. There is no way by which
a seeming proof of the robbery could
be shown against you, is there9"
"Good heavens. how could there be?"
I exclaimed. "Oh. I see it ALL" went
on bitterly. jackson has become
wealthy, and is trying to ingratiate
himself with your father and under
mine my reputation with you and SO
finally gain your hand"
Florence listened to my incoherent
outburst with an amused smile.
do you like jackson at all? Is he
agreeable to you?" asked, in jealousy.
The smile died from her face and her
eyes flashed with an angry fire.
Like him? No, indeed; detest the
man. hate him." This outburst made
me happy, and laughed merrily.
at IN not kind of you to compel me to
show temper" she said. But remem-
Der, sir, you provoked me to it. 1t is not
only for myself alone that dislike him,
but 1t seems to me that he is the cause
of the change that has come over my
father lately. Ever since that quarrel
father has been SO different"
TN what Fespect?" asked, sympa-
thetically.
"He seems terribly worried and
anxious"
'It is probably business care. There
are very few men directing great en-
| terprises who have not times of worry
and anxiety, who have not financial
storms and the fear of wreck to face, "
1 added, consolingly. "And as for the
quarrel with jackson, that was prob
ably no more than difference of opin-
ion regarding business methods. jack
son told me once he had business rela-
tions with your father, and that il what
makes me almost fearful that he will
gain you after ALL"
"But have promised you; what more
can you ask? would not marry ME-
Jackson even if had never met you"
Florence said, with decided shake of
her head.
"Unless it was proved robbed the
bank" suggested.
"No, not even then. I'd rather die"
"Oh, my darling love!" I burst out,
II must be first in your heart or moth
ing-frst or nothing!"
what a foolish fellow you arel
You make me feel quite hurt at your
implied doubt of me-"
She urged her horse forward a few
steps, then turned her face toward me.
REST easy about that" with the true