Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-21

lou VIII uDu tue president In his Of
fee" | replied. CURLY. LAS for me.
am bank robber."
There was the suspicion of a twinkle
came in his eyes as he said: "Indeedl
Well. you don't look it,"
The old fellow then entered the Of
fee. and went outside TO the street
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
sme.
Indeed, il was a case of surprise TO me
that | was not arrested Ii would have
been an easy matter. for | had no
thought of hiding The most public
streets during The DAYTIME. and Il con
cert or the theater AT ni"ht. were fire.
quentcd by me ! held nv head erect.
as h..d rigai To ia, tut il was with a
heavy hear, ;.d "a rEastened spirit that
realized tia; ?co.ie stunned me
Houses where had been on most friend
;ly terms were closed against me.
1 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
a., cumstances. Perhaps it was this fear
which kept me away, as much as any
other idea
| About n week after the robbery a let
| ter came to my boarding-pIace:
| MIR. Nelson Conway-Dear Sir: II con-
yenient. kindly favor me with an oppor-
tunity for conversation this evening at
4 eight. remain In town over night, and you
4 will find me at my city residence.
SYLVESTER MORLEY"
Wondering what he could wish to say
| to me, l repaired to his house at the
time mentioned.
Mr.. Morley received me in the library,
land arose from his chair as l entered.
Good evening, Mr.. Conway" he
gravely said, bowling his head. PLEASE
be seated"
4 After l had chosen a chair on the OPP
posite side of the room, and he had re-
Rsumed his seat, he began, somewhat re-
luctantly, but in his stately, courteous
Vway:
Our conversation may prove unsat-
1isfactory to you. If so, beg your par
sdon in advance. OF course you are
Raware that the public in general con-
hnects your name with that daring and
mysterious affair at the bank"
81 know very well, sir. that it is So"
1 replied sadly.
"Now, do not mind saying that do
snot necessarily condemn man because
The is suspected" Mr.. Morley continued.
Tin case like yours the general pub
klic's opinion does not influence my opin-
lion. 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 1 am
sorry to note that the papers do not
seem friendly toward YOU"
"That is true, sir" answered. And
| l cannot imagine why they should take
| that stand, when nothing. absolutely
nothing can be found TO criminate me-"
81 can furnish no idea why il is so;
| simply state n fact AS intimated, it
| is not my custom to condemn n 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
fhousehold."
'Oh, sir, you cannot believe in your
heart that l had anything to do with
the banks lossl" / exclaimed, bitterly,
for, kindly as was his manner, the
Ewords he spoke seemed to strike knell
to my fondest hopes.
81 have already said all care to say
son that score" Mr.. Morley replied,
rather coldly.
I "And-and your daughter, sir" l
went on, with trembling voice; 'she
kdoes not share the general suspicion!"
4 A smile fitted across his face for
moment. Then he became grave again.
land regarded me earnestly. He did not
breply for some time: he seemed to be
considering his answer.
I my daughter is rather indignant;
she thinks that you are unjustly
treated" he finally said
( could not restrain myself on hear
ling this. l sprang from my seat and
approached him.
mfr. Morley. you do not know what
it means to me to hear this. You cannot
imagine how your daughters opinion
fills me with hope. May l ask you, sir,
Ito express to her my deepest gratitude
for her faith in my innocence? AS God
hears me. her faith is not misplaced"
There was no controlling my voice; it
trembled in spite of my efforts to be
calm. Dear, true-hearted girl!
IL will convey to her your message"
said Mr.. Morley. "She has informed me
of the sentiment you entertain for her.
But, Mr.. Conway, 1 believe you are a
young man of sense and honor. You
must therefore realize the position you
would place her in by insisting on the
continuation of friendship which, out
of kindness and gentleness of DISPOSE
ftion, she --ould probably not refuse you.
1t would be unjust o her, embarrassing
to you, and wholly contrary to my
! wishes"
al fully appreciate the meaning of
kyour words, Mr.. Morley. Believe me, l
kregard your daughter too highly to
intrude upon her notice, under existing