The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-09-20
--1he House on he NarSh," etc. j
tCopyhsht laA. By Robert Bonnas sonal

ever It il. OF course" she went Q,
quickly. turning to Clifford with eve.
now bright with excitement, I'VE can
not give you back your watch. but ",
can give you the value Of IL, IL YOU
win tell rs what it is-the mere money
value. I mean. For. Of course, that d
all we can do"
But even before Clifford could pro
test against this suggestion. which he
had. indeed, never contemplated 70,
moment. the innkeeper burst out
into a torrent OF indignant remon.
STRANGE.
Me give him twenty-five pound!
That's what he said he had on him,
an who's to credit it? Who's to prove
1t, sayr An the vally he likes to set
on his watch. besides? No, that I
won't It's my belief it's a trmped- up
story altogether. an I dare him to fetch
the police in! dare him to, I say-
And he gave another thump on the
table.
Avarice as well as anger cleaned in
the mans eyes as he spoke. the avar-
Ice Of the man who has had to work
hard for sman gains.
Clifford looked from the niece to the
uncle. and suspicion Of the latter be-
gan to grow keen. Nell retained her
presence Of mind. She went ND to the
excited man and put a coaxing hand
upon his shoulder.
Uncle" she said. almost In a whis-
per. you remember there have been
other robberies here"
Her voice sank until the last word
was almost inaudible.
George Claris started violently, and
shook his fist in the air In a tumult OF
rage.
II know there has! know there
has" said he. between his teeth. AN
I'd like to catch the rascal as did EN-
But nobody before as dared to say
you or me was at the bottom Of II,
Nell. Nobody before has dared to say
we wasn't honest. Why, man. I've
been settled here these twenty-five
years. and I'm known to every man.
woman and child between Stroan and
Courtstairs. Me take q mans watch
or purse-me or my niece! It's q plant,
my girl, q plant Of this fine London
gentleman. twenty-five poundsl You
bet it's more than he's worth, every
rag and stick Of him. He's heard Of |
my misfortunes lately. an he's come !
an trumped up this story. thinking
It'll be better worth my while to pay |
him the money than have another
scandal about the place. But I won't. |
won't! I'll do time rather"
Clifford was torn with battling emo
lions as he listened to this speech,
which was indeed like that Of a bro
man. He had not been
lble to stem the torrent Of the poor
'eilow's fierce wrath. and 1t was only
when Claris sank down with his head
lpon the table that he was able to say.
'ery quietly:
II never thought Of asking for COM
Mr.. Claris. I should not
hink Of doing so. All want Is to
lear up this detestable puzzle. much
more In your interests than In mine.
am not a rich man. but neither am I
beggar. as you have rather unkindly
uggested. / can afford the loss Of
~ watch and money, but I cannot af-
ord to leave you and poor Miss Nell
ere without doing my best to find
ut the cause Of these unfortunate oc-
i
Then Nell looked again in his face
nth q smile which made him ready
, 90 on his knees and worship her
,r her sweet forbearance.
Thank you" said she. Then turn
u to her uncle: ''It win come right"
he said; "or, at least" she added.
urriedly, 1--WE win hope 1t may. You
, back to your work. uncle. and
III see II I can't set my wits to work
i'd have something to tell you when
next meet you" Ia
Claris allowed himself to be coaxed I
to compliance with her wishes. and
disappeared into the bar.
hen, when they were alone together. I
ilord noticed q sudden alteration In 9
r manner toward himself. 1t was '
longer the ccnfding. childish beha-
or Of q tght-hearted girl: 1t was the I
sponsible gravity Of an older and
oughtful woman. IN
you are not to distress yourself. p
{. King" she said. quietly. al .
ough It b q terrible thing for US D
> are. In q way. used to it. for. as v
q heard me say, there have been two j.
three cases Of theft here before. i d
pc you are not In . hurry to get G.
ck to Sroan, for I should like. be- q
re you 20, to have q search made Of b
3 house and q few more Inquiries" 8
She would not listen to his protests. lie
objections. but left him and went r
stairs. clifford miserable and per Il
.xed, went out into the garden and te
oiled among the cabbages and car b
.. torn By doubts which he tried t.