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

began to run across the open fields q
fast a. her feet could carry her.
1t occurred at once to Clifford tina
she must be going to take counse
with her friend, Miss Bostal, and b.
started In the direction Of Shinglt
End himself. thinking that 1t would b,
good idea for him to open his hear
to that lady. and reassure Nell as II
his own trust In her through the un
Improbable lips Of her elderly friend.
He went by the road. and saunterinl
along at q very sedate pace. reached
the little tumbledown residence OF
Colonel Bostal just as Nell. emerging
from Il BY q back gate into the fields
started on her journey back home
She did not see him, but he, looking
through the hedge at her. was able to
discern that her face was. II anything
more sad than II had been when she
left home. and that her eyes were
swollen with recent tears.
The prim old maid had been unsym-
pathetic and harsh to her poor little
protege. that was evident. and Cliff
ford felt that he hated the starchy
spinster for It
He could not, however. help feeling
that he should like to hear the opinion
on the whole matter Of people who.
like the Bostals, were acquainted with
the family at the Blue Lion. and who
were at the same time on friendly
terms with them.
Miss Bostal herself opened the door
as before. and from this and other
signs it was easy for Clifford to dis
cover that she and her father kept no
servants. She seemed not to be at all
surprised by his visit. and when he
began to apologize or intruding upon
her again. and at such an early hour
Of the day, she only smiled and asked
him to come in.
II must own that I was engaged In
the homely pursuit of peeling potatoes
for our early dinner" said she. as she
showed him the old worn tableknife
which she held In her carefully gloved
hands.
Very careful she was, this dried-up
little elderly lady about the care Of
her person; she never went into the
garden without sunbonnet to pre-
serve her complexion, nor did any sort
Of rough work without an old pair Of
gloves on her hands.
She led Clifford into the drawing
room, long. pleasant apartment with
a low ceiling. with an old-fashioned
bow-window that looked to the west
and another that looked to the south.
The sunshine showed up the shabbi-
ness of which Clifford had noted some
traces the day before. The faded |
cushions, the rickety chairs. the bare
fireplace. with nothing but a small |
sheet Of brown paper in the CRATE to |
replace the winters fire, all spoke Of |
desperate shifts, Of the meanest straits |
Of genteel poverty. But Miss Bostal !
gave him very little time to look about
him.
II can guess what you have come
about" she began, as she put down
her old knife upon the side-table In
the passage before entering the room.
1T is about this dreadful thing that
has happened at the Claris's. But I
must tell you frankly that IL you have
any suspicious Of old Claris or his
niece, 1t Is Of no use your talking to
me. for you viii get no sympathy. I
have known old George Claris for
nearly twelve years; and as for Nell,
don't think could care more for the
yiri II she were my own sister. She Is
Is incapable Of theft as an angel"
The iady's thin. pale face grew pink
1nder the energy Of this protest,
which Clifford FASTENED to assure her
vas not needed.
II believe that Just as heartily as
'ou do" he said, earnestly. 81 only
want the mystery cleared up for their
'wn sake. and I thought that you.
Who live so near. might. perhaps. have
notion which would help Us to arrive
t the truth"
Miss Bostal smiled triumphantly.
II have" she said. emphatically. 81
ave q very strong notion, indeed. I
Tin tell you in confidence whom I {
Inspect. and I shall try my hardest
D find out the truth"
Clinord's face glowed with excite
lent and expectancy.
"Who-who IL it?" he asked, breath
.ssly.
"Jem Stickels," she answered with !
ecision.
"And who Is that? You know I am
stranger here"
"A young fisherman who owes Nell
grudge because she would not listen &
} the fellows impudent advances. He ?
always hanging about the place.
Tough. and he doesn't scruple to I
lreaten the girl to do her some harm. t
i'd he il always prattling to people 7
no come this way about the robber- b
8 which have been committed at the O
lue Lion" 7
Clifford listened doubtully. He To 6
emberod the vounu fisherman in the n