The Lamar register., 1901-08-28
CHAPTER III (Continued)

a pleased expression about them. He
smiled gravely and bowed his head.
"I spent the evening at Mr.. Morley's
place in Fairlawn," quietly said, in
terpreting that gentleman's inclination
of his head rs permission to tell.
My answer created some surprise. and
all eyes were turned upon Mr.. Morley.
Such were that gentleman's position
and standing that the mere fact that
had visited at his house produced a
change in the manner of questioning
me. The questions were couched in
more respectful terms.
"And where did you go from Mr.. Nor
ley's placer" the examiner went on.
ITO the Fairlawn hotel" replied.
"You did not Immediately return to
the city?"
"No. sir, for the reason that could
not. There was no train until the
morning"
"And you were on that trainr'
81 was on that train, and arrived in
town at quarter before ten." calmly
replied.
"You may be compelled to prove
that" continued the vice president, sig
nificantly.
"very we'll. sir; I can do 80 whenever
It is necessary"
Here Mr.. Morley. who had been only
a listener until now, spoke in his grave,
dignified manner, and the deferential
way the trustees hearkened to his
words was an indication of the high
regard in which he was beld.
I'VE are wasting time," he said.
"This method of procedure 10 futile.
will say that Mr.. Conway was guest
Mt my house last evening. How he spent
the time after he left my place cannot
say. But he was on the train this
morning. a. he said. for usually take
the same train In coming to town, and
I saw him."
Mr.. Morley only stated the cold fact,
but nevertheless that he should speak
at all in my defense seemed to me a
good omen.
I was soon asked to retire. As went
out into the president's room, three
or four fellows went in. knew they
were detectives.
There is no need to tell of the exam
nations was compelled to submit to
by these same detectives, and how they
tried all their art, wheedling. threat
ening, bullying. to get me to confess to
crime knew nothing of. For all
their trouble they got nothing from me
but the truth.
When the trustees' meeting broke up,
the president came out to me.
"Nelson, II you are guilty, and wish to
Escape the consequences, now il the time
to flee the country. The trustees have
decided not to have you arrested just
yet" he said, with smile.
'They are very kind. sir. But wish
to be arrested. Nothing would please
me better than to stand trial, 1 replied,
defisntly.
Mr.. Morley came through the room as
I spoke, and at my loud tone he threw
disgust at what he might consider
bravado. or commendation at my dar-
ing to take q firm stand on my inno-
cence, could not say.
"You may go home for the rest of the
day. Conway" said the president, with
out looking at me. "Come to my office
in the morning. Don't go into the bank
room"
I went out unmolested, and slowly
walked toward my boarding place. Why
should this horrible shadow have fallen,
blotting out the bright promising sum
shine Of my young life? Was it a dream.
and would wake to find it all unreal?
All. no! The newsboys on the street
were already calling: "All about the
bank robberyl" and selling their papers
rapidly. God help me, it was no dream.
CHAPTER ".
All that night walked the floor,
cudgeling my brains over the affair,
but could arrive at no satisfactory So
luton. 1t seemed impossible that the
vault should have been opened, and the
currency, thelbulk of which would more
than fill bushel basket, abstracted.
The fact remained, however, that it was
gone.
On my way down to the bank the fol-
lowing morning, I bought some news
papers, and eagerly read all the ac-
counts. Every paper. without actually
stating the facts in 30 many words,
gave out strong hints that was some
how connected with the affair. no
tced, also, that passers-by looked