The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-12


bring the hank back to the condition
it was in, and you are here enjoying
yourself"
Il have found little enough enjoy
ment." he said sadly. You don't
know what a nightmare the last few
weeks have been to me, Cora. 10 be
il the same town with you and not
be able to come near you"
You did well to keep away" she
said bitterly, then her voice broke,
and she looked at him with appeal
ing eyes and lips that quivered.
why did you do it?" she demand
ed. If you had needed more money
father would have given it to you"
You mean that you think / took
the banks money!" he cried in sud-
den surprise.
What else can | Think" she coun-
tered. Il can't realize that you are
a thief even now, Ned, yet the money
is gone and you have confessed the
theft by your disappearance from
town"
"You must believe that / did not
take that money" he said earnestly.
Won't you believe me, Cora?"
For moment she looked into the
frank, eager eyes, then she placed
her hand in his.
Il do believe you," she said softly.
II can't think you took it. There
must be some xplanation-there is
an explanation, isn't there?"
Hotmer nodded. "There is very
satisfactory explanation he de-
Aclared FOR certain reasons can
not return to Briarly and explain
now, and ] do not know how long
shall have to wait. 1t is a bitter ex-
perience, Cora, to feel that the peo-
pie who know me believe that I have
been untrue to my trust, but as long
as you believe it does not matter so
much"
Il may believe in you," she as
sured, but, of course, you cannot ex-
pect father to believe as l do. He
sees only the business side and he
he has not the same reason for be-
lieving in YOU
You mean that you love me?"
pressed Hotmer. You still love me,
Cora"
Even now she said bravely.
..'Do you know, Ned, think should
love YOU even though you were
guilty"
His eyes spoke their delight, but
hn fTuO I'd +O a r oI CIV
and other demonstration was impos-
sible. 1t was the first time that Cora
had admitted her love, and Hotmer
found that admission Infinitely COM
forting in his present situation. He
was away from his home town and
he could not hear any of the COM
ment, but he knew that it was being
made, and he knew how limsy would
sound the excuse that would follow.
To know that Cora believed and still
loved him was comforting in the ex-
IRENE.
The week that followed was a
pleasant one in spite of the cloud
that hung over them both. Cora was
afraid that the officers might be look
ing for the fugitive, and on little
pleasure trips she clutched nervously
at Hotmer's arm whenever they spied
blue coat and brass buttons. Her
confidence in him thrilled Hotmer
with delight, and as the days sped by
he even came TO regret the approach
of the explanation.
II soo ,oo eonvo7. f17on he
and in fashion very different from
that he had planned. They had gone
out to the suburbs to visit some Of
Cora's acquaintance, and as they
disembarked in the station a through
train was discharging its passengers
on the opposite side of the same plat
form.
With little cry Cora sought to
draw Hotmer back into the carr but
it was too late. He was already
down the steps and shaking hands
with Arnold Cameron.
Cora stared incredulously as she
saw the greeting that the elder man
extended, but as the latter caught
sight of her, he stretched forth his
hand to her.
1--WE come for Ned" he said, "but
not with warrant. I've come to re-
/ lease him from his promise. You
see, the Dudley crowd knew that
was rather involved in stock deal
on which they held the opposing end
They saw a chance to strike me a
double blow by defeating the deal and
at the same time wrecking the bank.
They knew that all Of my money was
tied up, and by spreading rumors they
hoped to start a run that would put
me out of business.
| ''Ned heard of the Mot. and he ran