The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-06

think Jem Stickels did see the thief,
and can prove who it is, you ought to
be glad, and certainly not let your
kindness of heart prevent you from
| telling him to speak out"
"But. you don't know who-who-
Jem thinks it was!"
"Ah, you mustn't trouble your head
about that! A thief is a thief, and
should be punished. And if it is per-
| son you know, you may be sorry; but
you must not shrink from your duty,
which is to bring the criminal to JUS
| tice."
Nell withdrew herself with sad
smile from the lad3's caressing hand,
and shuddered.
"Supposing it were-it were some
one you knew-and loved. What would
syou say"
Miss Bostal shook her head deprecat-
ingly.
"My DEAR" she said, II can see what
it is: Stickels has been threatening to
tell the detective that he can prove
you to be the thief. And you let your
self be frightened like that! Why,
child, you forget that everybody in
the place knows he would give the
world for kind word from you; and
they will know that he has made up
this tale out Of revenge for your TAX
ing no notice Of him. You are goose.
child, little goose, 10 let yourself be
worried by such a thing as that!'
Nell drew a long breath Of relief.
Then she stood up.
"You have taken great load off my
mind" said she, in low, thankful
voice. II shall tell him when I see
him. What shall I tell him?" she
asked, with sudden change to little
fear again.
II should tell him, If were you, that
if he has seen-if he has seen anything
it is not your affair, but that of the
police. But at the same time, Nell, I
wouldn't be so unkind to the poor
young fellow, if I were you. I was
quite touched this evening by the way
he spoke of you. believe he would
give his right hand for you, do real
ly. And although it is no business Of
mine. dear, really think you are ne
glecting your opportunities of doing
good in a true sense by not urging him
to better things. Your influence might
turn him into good man, my dear,
do, indeed, believe"
But Nell frowned haughtily.
"You are SO good yourself, Miss
Theodore, that you don't know any
thing about people who are not like
you. Jem has had plenty of opportuni-
ties to reform. 1t is by his own choice
that he idles about instead Of going to
sea-"
"But it is to be near you, DEAR" sug-
gested the sentimental old maid. II
don't mean to say the young man is,
in any sense, your equal. But I think
if you really cared for him"
"But I don't" protested Nell, in
dignantly. II have never thought
about the creature, for a moment, ex-
cept to wish that he would go away
from the place altogether. And if he
has dared to say that ever gave him
the slightest encouragement-"
"He has not, he has not" said the
old maid, hastily. HE has never been
anything but most humble and SUBJ
miSsive."
In your presence" added Nell, Sig
nificantly. But when he isn't with
you, he presumes to be rude, and even
jealous. AS if he had the slightest
right to be jealous" she added, angri-
~.
Miss Bostal's lips tlghtened with dis
approval.
II see how it is," she said. Poor
Jcm is right. He complains that you
have had your head turned by the
young men who were here in the au-
tumn. He says you have never had
q good word for him since the coming
of that particularly worldly and friv-
olous young man who calls himself
Clifford King"
Nell drew herself up.
miss TheoGora," she said, very
quietly, II know you will not say
anything more about Mr.. King, when
I tell you that I-I-that If it were not
for the misfortune which hangs over
US now, I should be his wife some
day."
But poor Miss Bostal was horror
struck at this disclosure, and she pro
cecded to read the girl such a lecture
on the evils of marrying above ones
station, and. above all, of marrying
man Of the exact type Of Clifford King,
that, although she did not succeed in
convincing Nell, she sent her home
very unhappy and on the verge Of
tears.
To be Continued.