The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-13

"Since she likes his society so much,
she may enjoy a tete-a-tete with him.
she said to herself, not without a bit
ter feeling that her old friend and pro-
tectress had betrayed her in her eaG-
erness to reclaim the prodigal.
Before she reached the Blue Lion.
Nell had made up her mind what to
do. She felt that she must have some
advice of a more solid, more worldly
kind than that of kindly, sentimental,
narrow-minded Miss Theodore. So she
wrote a little note, the first she had
ever sent him, to Clifford King, and
sent it by a safe hand to Stroan to
catch the night mail.
Her note was very short, containing
as it did, only the following words:
Dear Mr.. King:
IF it would not be too inconvenient
to you to come down to Stroan to-mor-
row, I should be very glad Of the op-
portunity of asking your advice upon
matter in which I do not dare trust
my own judgment, and do not dare
to consult my uncle.
with apologies for my audacity in
asking such great favor
believe me, yours sincerely,
NELL CLARIS."
Then she passed sleepless night,
torturing herself by wondering what
Jem Stickels would do, and whether
| Clifford would come-this she did not
greatly doubt-and how she should tell
him if he came.
And on the following evening, just
when she had given up all hope Of
seeing him, and just when the time
appointed by Jem Stickels for her
to meet him was approaching, she saw
Clifford, from her seat by the open
door of the sittlng-room, walk into the
bar.
Nell sprang up with little cry, and
Clifford, catching sight Of her, flushed
deeper red than his walk had given
him, and going quickly through the
bar and along the passage, pushed
open the door Of the little sitting-room,
and stood before her.
The girl had been so anxious for
his coming that all her little mSidenly
arts of affected surprise, Of indiffer-
ence, Of reserve, were in allegiance; and
he saw before him the girl he loved,
with love confessed in her blue eyes.
For one moment he stood looking at
her, q little awe-struck, as lover
ought to be, at discovering how much
more beautiful she was than he re-
membered her. Then, not unnaturally
taking her summons for just little
more than it was intended to be,
caught her in his arms, and pressing
her against his breast, covered her
face with kisses.
Nell uttered little cry; she thought
it expressed CONSERVATION, alarm; but
Clifford read the sound differently,
and kissed her again.
"Oh, Mr.. King" painted the girl, as
soon as she could draw back her head
enough to speak, you don't under
stand. 1 sent for you to advise me,
thatS all. -
IL quite understood" replied Cliff
ford, calmly, not letting her 60 very
far. "And am longing to put my pro-
fessional knowledge at your service.
But FIRST
He stopped short, arrested in the
middle of his speech by violent start
on the part of Nell, who was looking
with eyes full OF alarm at the door
which led into the garden.
The upper part of this door was Of
glass, and she had suddenly perceived
that a face was pressed 10 the outer
side.
"Who is it?'' asked Clifford, as soon
rs he saw what had arrested her at
tention.
And without waiting for an answer,
be sprang across the little room, To-
ward the glass door. Nell sprang af-
ter him, and clutched at his sleeve.
"Never mind. Don't CO." she whis-
pered apprehensively. 1T is only Jem
Stickels. Don't open the door,"
But as Clifford stopped, under the
pressure of her earnest entreaty, the
sound Of q hoarsely uttered curse
reached their ears; the face was quick
ly withdrawn, and the next moment,
with a loud crash of broken glass,
Jem's fist came through the upper part
of the door, and struck Clifford full in
the chest.
Nell saw, even before the blow was
dealt, that there was an open knife
in the fisherman's hand. But, al
though she threw herself upon her
lover, trying to drag him back from
the danger, she was not in time. With
a howl of savage delight, Jem drew
back his knife, covered with blood.