Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-03-21

with vivid imagination"
| There. you see, il must be only
ousine-s worry. II it were anything
| regarding yourself. he would not make
| light of it,"
Florence was partly comforted by
my assurance. She glanced up into
NY face and smiled. But the troubled
md perplexed look came back when
| he answered.:
Perhaps il is as You say. But can
not get it out of my head that Mr. Jack
son is somehow connected with it all. -
| jackson? How could he affect your
| fathers life so seriously?" exclaimed.
| >-s-.----c----..s -
81 do not know. He used to como
here frequently until lately. And after
every visit father seemed to be SO
| troubled and worried"
Being satisfied in my own mind that
| the difference between Mr.. Morley and
jackson had arisen over. business af-
| fairs, sought to lead Florence away
| from subject which seemed to cause
her distress.
And what can you tell me about tho
station agent at Sidington?" asked.
| "Oh, Nelsonl how puzzled 1 am over
what you have told me! You say ha
| tried to shoot your"
Eyes; but do not agitate yourself
| over that. He did not hit me, YOU
| know" 1 answered.
| But why should he want TO shoot
you?" she exclaimed.
! That is as much a mystery to me as
to you. Who is the fellow, anyhow
Where did he come from? His real
name, 1 understand, is Skinner"
| Yes, that is his real name,- was
| Florence's answer.
| why, what reason could he have had
for telling me his name was HunterT
Tell me what you know about him, my
dear" / demanded, for thought she
/ really appeared somewhat reluctant To
| give me the desired information
FLORENCE, who is hep"
"He is a detective" she answered.
| "a detectivei Hell What is he do
ing about here?'' asked, in astonish-
ment.
| Promise me you will not breathe q
word" Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her forefnger in emphasis.
81 promise solemnly."
Sand promise you will not think nun
a very foolish girl2"
| "Neverl"
"Well, then, after the bank robbery
I used to read all the papers to ascer-
;;,si ii e the robbers ilatii 1een iiseo,eTet
The time went by, and you, poor boy.
were still under the cruel suspicion
| Why, Nelson, nearly all of your old
friends believe you had hand in tho
affair"
L
| gloomily. "And 1 was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence Of
the only true friend seemed to have
at that time" kissing the faithful girls
| forehead.
Indeed you were foolish, and cruel
too" Florence murmured. "Six months
went by, and you went TO Europs-
Nothing was discovered regarding the
robbery; and, what was worse, moth
ing seemed TO be doneI in the matter.
| Every one seemed to have forgotten all
about it, except that you were the
guilty one; that was not forgotten
Oh, Nelson, felt so sorry for you! L
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have beer
So made up my mind to do something
myself"
"Youi"
eyes. 1t was foolish, know, but
I could not rest until I determined to-
| try and clear you
For a few moments my heart was toe.
full for speech. And what did yoU
do?" / asked, gently.
81 did not want father to know, Sc
I asked Mr.. Jackson TO send the best de-
tective he knew of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very .Gndly disposed toward
you at that time; he did as requested
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
$50 you hired q detective to trace the
robbers?'
| Eyes"
"And that fellow Skinner-is he the
one?"
Eyes. I suppose it was foolish,
thing to do, for nothing seems TO have
come of it, although Mr.. Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now.
and will soon have them"
Foolish, was it? Oh, my darlingI'~
I exclaimed, as I caught her hands I'm
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could say no more then, chokeG
as I was 10y my emotion. The noble
| true-hearted girl! lmpeiled by her love
for me and her absolute faith in my
integrity, undertaking alone to estab-
| lish my innocence, while all the world
remained Indifferent saw the noble
| ness, the willingness to make Sacrifices.
for her love, back of it all, and tears
came into my eyes and great thank
fulness into my heart. What a for
tuuate fellow was, after all, to be per
mitted 10 inspire such devotion!
But if Skinner is in your employ aud
therefore working in my interest, why
should he endeavor to shoot me?" L
| finally remarked.
''Oh, Nelson, 1 don't know. cannot.
understand it," she replied, as deeply
perpleXed as I was.
How does it happen that he is sta
ton agent at Sidington? Why does ha-
| remain here at alp"
Father procured the position for