The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-09-20
CHAPTER w.

CHAPTER Nv.
In spite of his own indignation and
semorse on hearing Claris make this
coarse and cruel speech, Clifford
watched the girl narrowly. and was
shocked and surprised to observe that
while he and her uncle were at q
white heat of excitement, she showed
remarkable self-control After a mo-
ment's silence on her part, she inter
supted Cli6ord's protests and excuses
with q little pettish movement Of her
hand
Never mind apologizing." said she
surtly. Let US hear what you have
10 say. Now I know what you meant
By your being disturbed"
She cast down her glance upon the
shabby carpet Of the little sitting
room, and stood. leaning with one hand
upon the table, her head half turned
away. In the attitude Of close atten-
don.
1t was evident that she did not SUI.
Ger half so keenly as did Clifford,
whose voice was hoarse and tremulous
q be spoke In answer.
You don't suppose. you can't sup
pose. that accuse you Of anything"
aid he. trying in vain to meet her
eyes. and betraying even to the preju-
diced eyes Of George Ciaris the genu-
mess of his feeling. II was disturbed
n the night I found a hand under
my pillow. I caught the hand with
my purse and my watch In II. The
hand was a woman's, small and soft
and slender. There. that's all know"
But you think it's enough to 20
MON when you accuse my niece Of
being q THEIR shouted George Claris,
- be brought his heavy fist down with
. sounding thump upon the table.
Hush. uncle| said the girl with
perfect calmness. 'Mr. King never
meant that I am sure of It."
And to the young mans intense re
lief and gratitude she looked straight
y bis face with faint smile.
Thank you. Thank you with all
ny heart" said he. hoarsely.
Nell was still very pale. but she was
quite calm and composed. and after q
hort pause. during which the two
nen had watched her. wondering what |
NE was going to propose. she sudden
y at down upon a chair and leaned /
upon the table. IN the endeavor to hide
he fact that her limbs were not as
much under her control a. her mind /
MA
Let us think it out" said she. And
hen. before either OF the others had
poken. there passed suddenly over
~ face q sort Of spasm Of horror
truck remembrance, as IL a half-for-
Iotten Incident had suddenly flashed
nto her mind with q new significance.
sl&ord saw that q light had broken
, upon her. But instead Of communi-
nhng to her companion the idea,
vhatever It was, which had flashed
Aruugh her own brain. she raised her
80 very suddenly. and meeting Cliff
eefs eyes with q piercing look.
Gked: |,
You have some idea, some sugges-
Ion to make. What is it," /,
1t was strange how the man had
1ustered. and the woman prepared
erself to reason. Clifford sat down
= the other side Of the table. feeling
naf here was q person with whom he
euld discuss the matter with all rea-
1nableness. ID
was wondering" he said. gently, {
wnether you ever walked in Jour
eep. know 1t seems an Infamous '
ling to have dared to connect you I
m the matter at all" Ii
That VIII do" she said, graveiy.
don't want any apologies about 4
~ I can zee. Mr.. King. that the :
~ notion makes you much more un- b
w that 1t does me-" IL
ne tears sprung to Cliford's eyes. y
~ trace Of suspicion Of her hon. a
~ had melted away long since un- I
= the influence of her perfect
go1ghtforwardness. IL,
ne awfully good Of you" he said, n
ruly. "As I was saying. SOM 4
nouhsm Is the only explanation pos G
~ You must have read Of such b
- fou must have heard that It In
!osdoie for . person to take things ',
~ deep and hide them away with n
sver being conscious Of what he's Il
~"
A1nh there passed over the ingen- N
face Of the young girl that look Il
"a betrayed some vague but hor- W
- memory. It perplexed Clifford "
. worried him. It was the one CIR OF
mace which marred his perfect b.
= n her. for 1t showed what all b,
vords belied-that she had q littie 70
- knowledge than she confessed to. ID
- what made you think the hand
q umer asked abe. In Q troubled hi
And instinctiveiy. a. she spoke, or
used to hide her hands under the pl
= the broad hat which she had Il,
70