The southern sentinel., 1901-10-18

have uDesivoo ana ha0 probably Rad
them. II thGs was anything to hops
for h that fact. he might hug thu
thoughn b his heart: but. considering
the teems In which he had written,
The warmth with which>he begged bel
to let him come down and zee her
there was very little encouragement
In that.
He was luckier than he had ventured
to expect. For a. he came over the
little bridge which spanned the river
he saw Nell herself approaching the
house from the opposite direction. She
had her prayer-book In her hand. and
was evidently returning from Stroan.
where she had been to church.
| She saw him as soon as be saw her.
| stopped. turned pale. and ran a few
steps to the left, evidently with the
hope Of escaping into the fields behind
a group of cottages which stood be-
tween her and the inn. But Clifford
was too quick for her. She saw by
the pace by which he approached that
1t was useless to try to avoid him. SC
she gave up the attempt. and came
steadily on with her eyes on the
ground.
miss Claris! Nellw said he, In q
low voice. as he came up to her.
She raised her eyes to his face for a
moment only. and he saw that a great
change had taken place in the girl
since he had last seen her. There was
In her face a sullen expression. as diff
ferent as possible from the chlldlike
openness Of face and manner which
had seemed to him her greatest charm.
And his heart smote him as he
thought that this change had been
brought about. though unintentionally
indeed. by him.
"You are not glad to see me. I can
zee that" he went on. hurriedly. a. he
turned and kept pace with her. "Of
course. had no right to expect that
you would be. but still l had hoped"
She made no answer.
You got my letters:"
YES" answered Nell. in a tone In
which he was surprised to detect tre-
NOR.
You know that asked you to let
me come DOWN.
IL did not write to say that you
might. though"
But her tone was not angry. he
thought.
well. I did wait AZ long as I could.
but. Nell. I was too miserable to walt
any longer. And now that see you.
and zee that you look changed. and
think that it IL my fault. feel as II
I could hang myself"
he hoped she would say something.
but she did not. After q few mo-
ments' silence he saw that O tear was
falling down her cheek.
''Oh. my darlingr' broke out Cliff
ford. unable to restrain himself any
longer. won't you let me marry you
and take you away? You have known
me long enough now. haven't your"
But Nell shook her head.
II would never marry any one till
this aiRair Of the robberies was cleared
up" answered she. firmly.
And can't you help os to nnd Il
outy'
At this her face changed. She
looked up at him with an expression
of angry defiance.
''That is what you came down for.
then-to zee whether l could tell you
and satisfy your curiosity
without your having the trouble Of |
vending any more detectives down.
Bhe cried. uttering the words with |
rapidity. while her frame
hook from head to foot. mo. Mr..
King. don't know anything. and IL I
lid. I wouldn't tell you. You have be-
run by prying into this business your |
'wn way; you may finish It you own
way. toow
"Nell. surely you don't think I had
to do with that wretched
business! You can't think so-you
amt! Why. 1t ID to warn you that
ave come-to warn you that some one
'lse may be sent. Mind, don't know
his; 1 only guess II, but / thought It
ight that you should know"
Oos AAosS10 W occmAuB 8Eatekul IOT
be information. Nell evidently took It
. fresh oRense.
why should Jon warn meY' she
sked. and the pallor Of her face gave
lace suddenly to . red blush Of an
90. ~Is It that may put Z check to
" larcsnous propensities until he has
one away againY
Nell. Nell. how can youy You
1ould not u you knew how horribly
makes me suffer-
"Su6eri Al. Il does matter when you
0Rer. doesn't 1T But when II ID only
country innkeeper's niece who suf-
sra who cares? And yet one would
ave thought = cne would have
She broke down completely and
urst into tearA Clifford was at least
unhappy a. she. and there was
'oisture in his own eyes a he tried In
ain to comfort her. He did succeed
last. however. In making her con- ,