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24 was about to step out, when a voice from the parlor stopped him:

"Joe!"

"Yes, I am here."

"Come back; I want to talk to you."

Returning to the room, he was met by the affectionate, impulsive girl, who clasped his hands and held them tightly.

"No, no! You must not leave like that! I will never talk to you in such a manner again. I do not ask you to tell me anything of your past—I only care to know that you love me. Stay here; do not go away."

It was two hours later when the final good night was said, and Joe Fleming walked slowly home. Arriving at his room, he took a small but heavy iron box from his trunk and opened it with a strangely shaped key attached to a chain at his belt. Lifting some folded papers, he picked up a long envelope which was sealed with wax. Upon its face was written "Miss Mercedes Morris, Unionville, Pa." Placing it on top of the other papers, he closed and locked the iron box, returned it to its place in the trunk and retired. His regular "run" did not leave Unionville until nine o'clock the next evening, so he slept until late. Miss Morris left home on train No. 19, at 4:20 in the evening, to assume her duties for the night at Lewistown office. She had passed a sleepless night