Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-31

81 can't think that you took it.
There must be some explanation
there is an explanation, isn't there?"
Hotmer nodded. There is very
satisfactory explanation he de-
clared. For certain reasons cam
not return to Briarly and explain
now, and do not know how long |
shall have to y-ait. 1t is bitter OK
per1ence, Cora, to feel that the peo-
pie who know me believe that / have
been untrue to my trust, but as long
as you believe it does not matter so
much"
II may believe in you,' she as
sured, ''but of course you cannot ex-
pect father to believe as do. He sees
only the business side and he-he has
not the same reason for believing 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 I should love
you even though you were guilty
1t was the first time that Cora had
! admitted her love, and Hotmer found
| that admission fnitely comforting
| in his present situation. He was away
from his home town, and he could not
hear any of the comment, but he knew
lhow flimsy would sound the excuse
that would follow. To know that Cora
believed and still loved him was COM
forting in the extreme.
| The week that followed was a
pleasant one in spite of the cloud
that hung over them both. Cora was
| pe; ,irrl, r. lpr1
ing for the fugitive and on little plea
sure trips she clutched nervously al
Hotmer's arm whenever they spied {
blue coat and brass buttons.
Her confidence in him thrilled Hot
mer with delight, and as the days spec
by, he even came to regret the ap
proach Of the explanation.
1t came sooner than he anticipated
and in fashion very different from
that he had planned. They had gon
out to the suburbs 20 visit some o
lCora's acuuaintances and as they dis
embarked in the station through
train was discharging its passenger
on the opposite side of the same plat
form.
With little cry Cora sought to dray
Hotmer back into the car, but it wa
too late. He was already down tn
: steps and shaking hands with Arnol
r Cameron.
) Cora stared incredulously as sh
: saw the greeting that the elder ma
: extended, but, as the latter caugh
sight of her, he stretched forth hi
: hand to her.
t "Pve come for Ned" he said, "br
v not with a warrant. I've come to IT
e lease him from his promise. You Sc
e the Dudley crowd knew that | We
rather involved in stock deal Q
e which they had the opposing en-,
e They saw chance to strike me dol
g Bile blow by defeating the deal and ;
the same time wrecking the BAN
/ They knew that all Of my oney W;
y tied up and by spreading rumors the
hoped to start run that would pl
k me out of business.
l. Med heard of the plot and he ra
away to credit the impression that
j. had absconded. OF course, that gay
a us an excuse for closing the bank III
Y til | could marshall my resources.
e told the whole story to the pape
N this morning and then l came aft
Ned. | did not know that he hs
1T found you.
y. Il have found her-for life, - e
planned Hotmer with : smile. 1t w
e worth all the worry to realize that Il
II little girl who is going to be my wi
has faith in me even in the face
y. such cloud as hung over my head