The Lamar register., 1901-08-28
or long delay, do nothing yourself"
He shook my hand heartily. and Iaft

NV VIC ioooy' ran against man lust
coming in. He was an old fellow, small
and thin. and had piercing steel-blue
eyes. He rebounded trifie from the
collision, then gazed at me sharply.
Il beg your pardon" said, ~ hone
did not hurt your"
mo. Not much, at any rate. want
to see the president. Are you the presi-
dent ?" he asked.
There seemed to me to be something
insolent about his question, as though
he knew l was not the president and he
had asked but to mock me.
You will find the president in his Of
fice," 1 replied, curtly. "As for me,
am a bank robber."
There was the suspicion of twinkle
came in his eyes as he said, Indeed!
Well, you don't look it."
The old fellow then entered the Of
fee, and 1 went outside to the street.
A few days went by, and. although
nothing was found to sustain the theory
OF the detectives, that fact did not lessen
the general suspicion which rested upon
me.
Indeed, it was a case of surprise to me
that 1 was not arrested. It would have
been an easy matter, for 1 had no
thought of hiding. The most public
streets during the daytime, and con-
cert or the theater at night, were fre-
quented by me. I held my head erect,
as had right to do; but it was with
heavy heart and a chastened spirit that
l realized that people Stunned me.
Houses where 1 had been on most friend
ly terms were closed against me.
was tempted many times to seek
consolation and encouragement in the
presence of Florence Morley, but it did
not seem right nor kind to burden her
bright life with my troubles, even
should she consent to see me, of which
was doubtful under the changed cir
cumstances. Perhaps it was this fear
which kept me away, as much as any
other idea.
About u week after the robbery q let |
ter came to my boarding place:
''Mr. Nelson Conway-Dear Sir: II con-
venient, kindly favor me with an oppor- |
tunity for conversation this evening at
eight. remain In town over night. and you
will find me at my city residence.
''sYLVESTER MORLEY"
Wondering what he could wish to say
TO me, 1 repaired to his house at the |
time mentioned.
Mr.. Morley received me in the library,
and arose from his chair as entered.
Good evening, Mr.. Conway" he
gravely said, bowing his head. please
be seated"
After had chosen chair on the op- |
posite side of the room, and he had re- |
sumed his seat, he began, somewhat re- |
luctantly, but in his stately, courteous |
way:
Our conversation may prove unsat- |
isfactory TO you. If 80. beg your par
don in advance. OF course you are |
aware that the public in general con-
meets your name with that daring and |
mysterious affair at the bank"
~ know very well, sir, that 1t is So"
replied, sadly.
"Now, do not mind saying that do |
not necessarily condemn man because |
he is suspected" Mr.. Morley continued.
"In case like yours the general pub
lies opinion does not influence my opin- |
ion. AT the same time, the general |
public is not TO be blamed SO much,
after all. The people form their opin-
ions from the newspapers, and / am
sorry to note that the papers do not
seem friendly toward you."
THAT il true, sir" answered. "And
cannot imagine why they should take
that stand. when nothing, absolutely |
nothing, can be found TO criminate me-"
II can furnish no idea why it is SO;
simply state fact. AS intimated, 1t
is not my custom to condemn a man |
before he has been found guilty. But,
whatever my private opinion may be, in |
this case you must understand that the |
suspicion which has fallen upon you
will necessarily preclude a continue
ton of the friendly relations which have
existed between you and-and my
household"
'Oh, sir, you cannot believe in your
heart that 1 had anything to do with
the banks loss!" 1 exclaimed, bitterly,
words he spoke seemed to strike knell |
to my fondest hopes.
~ have already said all care to say |
on that score," Mr.. Morley replied,
rather coldly.
"And-and your daughter, sir"
went on, with trembling voice; "she
does not share the general suspicion!"
A smile fitted across his face for a
moment. Then he became grave again,
and regarded me earnestly. He did not
reply for some time; he seemed to be
considering his answer.
"My daughter is rather indignant;
she thinks that you are unjustly
treated" he finally said.
1 could not restrain myself on hear
ing this. l sprang from my seat and
approached him.
"Mr. Morley, you do not know what
it means to me to hear this. You cannot
fills me with hope. May ask you, sir,
10 bor daanasf uro uda