The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-11-01

hoarse. 5eezia6 nugA- Their - saw the
girl dart forward. with the evident In
tention Of escaping her unwelcome ad-
mirer by neetness of foot
That's the very movement by WHICH
she got away from me" thought the
detective, as he saw the slight figure
bend suddenly to the right. avoiding
the rough touch with which she was
threatened.
But Jem Stickels knew with whom
he had to eeal. ThrustinG his hands
into his pockets, he contented himself
with barring her passage with his per-
son, skillfully battling each attempt she
made TO pass him. These attempts on
her side. and the successful move
ments by which Jem frustrated them.
brought both the young people near
enough to the detective in his place OF
concealment for him to hear the words
which the fisherman addressed to the
girl.
Look here" he said roughly, and
in no very subdued voice, you had
ls
and SO tell you. For if you don't. I'll
just take myself off and say it to some.
body else instead"
Indeed. that is just what I want
you to do" answered Nell. Indignantly.
You know very well that don't wish
to talk to you now or at any other
time. but especially now"
"What do you mean by especially
now eh. Miss Fine-Lady- Peacock: 2"
asked Jem, who had evidently been
drinking. although he knew what he
was doing.
But for answer the girl turned sud
denly and started TO run back to the
inn. Jem. however, being prepared for
such attempt, soon caught her, and
this time they were too far away from
the detective to hear what they said.
although he could distinguish the tones
Of their respective voices.
1t was evident that the very next
words uttered by Jem made a great
and terrible impression upon Nell.
Her face. which had at first expressed
nothing but loathing and disgust, be-
came in moment rigid with horror,
as the young man. standing quite Close
to her, and speaking in hoarse wbis
per. said something to her in an ex-
cited and earnest manner.
So anxious was the detective to learn
what it was which produced so strong
an effect upon the girl. that he crawled
from his hiding place to the ditch
which ran alongside the road, and
crept along. sometimes in the water.
and sometimes only in the mud, until
he was close enough to the two speak
ers to catch most Of their words. When
he stopped, the girl was refusing some
request Of the mans. with all the en-
ergy Of loathing and detestation.
'fOf course I will not" she was say
Ing vehemently. "of course, nobody
would believe you for a moment. And
l don't suppose you would dare to tell
them to anybody else. for fear of be-
ing taken for q lunatic"
Don't you? Oh. all right. Them
sneered Jem- 81 ma tell that Hem
ming then. that's been spying round
here lately. and that's put your uncle's
back up so by the questions he's been
asking. may tell him. Ell. Miss?-
The detective could not see the girls
face AZ she answered. after q little
pause:
"You may con,c up with me to Shin
gle End. and tell your Story to the
colonel and Miss Theodore; that's
what you may do-if you dare"
There was another pause. and tn,
detective knew, from tie way in which
she had uttered these words, as well
rs from the attitude In which she wait
ed for the fisherman's answer. that she
was less defiant than her words. At
last the fisherman spoke again. And
1t was clear that the proposal was not |
10 his taste.
Look here. Miss Nell." said he. in |
argumt NATIVE tone. do you really
dare me to do that? Come, you know
- l shouldn't have dared to have spok.
IN to you SO open II I hadn't got proof |
positive. Now. come. should L? why.
FOUR face told as how you knowed / |
moved. and % what's the good of
Drawing me? And knowing what III
know. isn't IT plain I mean NO harm. |
when could easy earn q pound or two
'ut Of peachin' to the detective chapi |
Come. now. you must see 1t, ehg"
Come and say 1t ont. then, before
vitnesses--I dare you to do it!' re-
orted Nell, with q little more assur.
lnce a. she noted the mans reluct-
nee to take this step.
NO.. I shan't!' he replied, sullenly.
I shall 90 to work my own way. And
say this: II you choose to speak civil
o me. don't ask for much more, and
o ask me 10 to tea with you and your
Incle. just how you asked the young
wells as were down here three months
ack. why. hold my tongue, and it'n
o no farther tnan you and me. But
you don't choose to do this
Il don't choosew retorted Nell. quite
ercely. II tell you the whole story