The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-13
CHAPTER Nj.
Continued.

text of curing her protege OF her unfor'
tunate attachment, by diverting her
thoughts to a more appropriate chan
ael, took Jcm Stickals in hand herself,
promised him every assistance with
Nell if he would promise to reform
and encouraged the fisherman to per-
secute Nell more than ever. 1t was she
who persuaded Jem TO WOO with less
arrogant air, with offers to turn over
q new leaf" for her sake, and other
similar Establishments.
And although Nell guessed who 1t
was that had inspired this alteration,
the girl was obliged to take different
attitude to her unWelcome wooer ID
consequence. 1t is easy to be naughty
and studiously frigid to presumptu-
Gus person; but when that person be-
comes meek and almost servile in his
.endeavors to make himself useful,
even in the humblest capacity, when
he insists upon chopping your wood
and carrying your water, then it is diff
6cult to maintain a properly freezing
attitude.
The climax came one afternoon
when Nell was invited to tea by Miss
Bostal, and was let in on her arrival
by the detested Jem.
Nell looked quite shocked when, on
entering the house, she learned frcm
the young mans lips that he had been
invited, too.
The young girl turned to the door Of
the dining-room, where a small fire
burned in honor of the occasion, to go
in search of her hostess. Jem, who
was in his Sunday clothes, in which he
presented q stronger contrast than
ever to the refined, delicatehanded
girl, said awkwardly that Miss Bostal
would be down directly. AS Nell, TAX
ing no notice of this intimation, was
about to leave the room, he suddenly
found courage to place himself before
the door.
Its done a-purpose; she done it a.
purpose" he explained, growing more
rustic than usual in his speech under
pressure of his excitement, 80 1 might
have a chance of speaking to you"
Nell looked angry and anxious; but
she looked him in the face with an ex-
preston which daunted him little.
"She don't know what want to say
to YOU" he went on in hoarse whis-
per. "She thinks want to ask you
to marry me, as if should be such a
precious fool! No, what want to say
is, that the chap Hemming is still
hanging about; he's staying at the Bell
at Stroan, and he's offered me five
pound not if I'll tell him what told
YOU, and I've refused. There"
And, fairly overwhelmed by the con-
temptation Of his own greatness Of
soul, Jem slapped his chest and made
his eyes round.
Nell listened, with fear and repulsion
struggling in her breast. Should she
brave the man, with the knowledge
Which she knew that he possessed, or
should she conquer her own loathing
and temporize? Miss Bostal had ad-
yised her to brave him; but, then, Miss
Bostal did not know what she knew.
Nell shivered as the man came step
toward her.
81 don't understand you;;' she said at
last. What do you want?"
II want you 10 give me kiss" The
girl started and made gesture Of abb
horreuce. "Come," persisted Jem; ut
isn't much, considering, specially as
I could take one myself if l had a
mind"
And as he spoke he TOOK another
step, threatening to fulfill this menace.
But Nell was too quick for him; she
was at the other side of the table he-
fore the words were we'll out of his
mouth.
Miss Bostal," she said quietly, as if
his proposition had been unworthy of
remark, advises me to let you make
what use Of your information you
please. She says no one would believe
you"
And do you think that?" he asked,
with an indescribably cunning leer.
The sudden anxiety which over
spread her face at the question showed
him his opportunity.
Look here" he went on, in tone
which was meant to be persuasive, but
which was to Nell repeliant in its
coarse assumption Of familiarity, Il
don't want to rush you into anything.
In h0f h0 70
know what the price is. If you don't
care to pay it, we'll, you know how l
can pay myself in coin of the realm.
Now III give you till tomorrow night.
If you'll see me tomorrow, down at
your own Sarden-fence, where you'll
be quite safe, mind, for l mean quite
fair and above board, and if yol'll
sDeai, TO me fair and be civil, III hold
my tongue, and wild horses nor all the
tees in Lon'on shouldn't make me
peach; but if you don't choose to do
this. and it's precious small thing
to make such fuss about, why. then,
I'll go off to Hcmming and get the live
pounds, and you can guess whatll hap
pen. if you don't know
AS the man looked at her. with
bloodshot, intamed eyes. enjoying in
anticipation the kiss which he felt
she was bound to give, Neli's heart
sank. He would not surely speak in
this tone to her, if the proofs OF which
he had spoken were not very strong
ones.
"Yoa must give me time to think" ,"
she faltered. turning her head away 20
escape the gaze of the lustful eyes,
but keeping sharp eye on his move
mentS ali the time.