The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-20
CHAPTER MI.
Continued.

>N~>>--
to Shingle End. For was not senti-
mental Miss Theodore tine very cause
of the outrage which had put Cliff
ford's life in danger? If it had not
been for Miss Bostals well-meaning
but ill-judged encouragement, Jem
Stickels would never have dared to
think he could have chance
with a girl who was so far removed
from him in every way as Nell. Now.
with natural feminine obstinacy, Miss
Bostal would be sure to take Jem's
part against Clifford, especially when
1t reached her ears that the latter had
come down at Neli's own request. So
that it was with slow. unwilling feet
that Nell made her way to the colo
nerS house.
Everything turned out as she eX-
pected, with this exception, that Miss
Bostal was so much more concerned
about Jem than about Clifford that she
insisted on marching off that very mo-
ment to inquire as to Jem's condition.
and insisted on dragging the unwilling
girl with ner on the expedition.
At first Nell absolutely refused to
go But she had to give way. being
touched by the self-reproach Of the
prim little elderly lady. who blamed
herself as much for Jem's misfortune
as Nell blamed herself for Clifford's.
at was all my fault. I feel that l
have brought it upon the poor fellow
myself" was the burden of Miss Bos-
tails lament. just as it had previously
been of Nelfs.
She even shed tears 1T the thought
of facing the young man upon whom
she had brought more than one mis-
fortune. For she persisted III regard
ing his assault upon Clifford rs an
other grievance of Jem's rather than
of the hated rivals.
Nell said little as they went along.
She was on the one hand deeply anX-
ious about her lover; while on the
other she hardly knew whether to
laugh at Miss Bostars eXtravagances
or to cry sympathetically over her
grief.
The little cottage where Jem lodged
was soon reached. Miss Bostals
knock was answered, unexpectedly
enough. by Jem in person. There
seemed to be little the matter with
him, except for a cut on his lower lip,
the result of the blow with which
Clifford had felled him. If his bodily
state was sound. however. this was al!
that could be said for him. A more
forbidding expression of sullen feroci-
ty than that which his face wore as he
recognized his visitors it would be i'm
possible to imagine.
"Oh. so it's you, is itT' was his surly
greeting, as with a scowl he made a
movement to shut the door in the
lady's face
But his patronesS was ready With
the soft answer that turned away
wrath. Pressing forward quickly and
keeping Nelrs hand in hers with
tight grip, she edged her way into the
cottage, and, regardless Of the fact
that the man and woman with whom
Jem lodged were present, addressed
the young boor in the gentlest OF
voices:
"Oh, dear! oh, dear! don't send us
away like that! We are so very sorry
for what has happened to you. We
want to know if we can do any
thing"
Nell was frowning and trying to get
away, indignant at the lowly tone her
companion was taking. And it was
upon Nell that Jem's eyes were fixed
as he interrupted the other lady.
"No.' roared he. You can't do
nothin'-as yet. But" and he raised
his voice and lifted his fist against an
imaginary foe. as he stared harder at
Nell than ever, I'm blest if you wont
find more'n enough to do to answer
the questions as II be put to you folks
some Of you-to-morrow morning"
Nell suddenly ceased struggling and
fixed her eyes upon Jem's swollen and
excited face. in which the veins We're
rising like knotted cords.
What do you mean, my dear young
man." piped Miss Bostal, in the gen
tlest accents, her mild efforts TO calm
the excited monster appearing every
moment more futile and inadequate.
'Ob, you know very well what l
mean, or, leastways, Miss Claris does"'
pursued Jem, in the same key, and
with a staggering confidence, which
caused little Miss Bostal to recoil q
few steps, as if before physical at
tack And if you don't, why you'll
know soor enough. I'm just a-goin.'
proceeded Jem. with sullen emphasis,
Ito have my pipe and my 'aE pint"
and ne took his beloved clay out of his
pocket as he spoke. .'and then I'm just
a-goin' TO walk over to The Bell, at
Stroan to ask if a certain gentleman
from Lon'on is in."
and, without further ceremony,
Jem turned his back on the ladies, and
marching out the room by the oppo-
site end, through the back door. iett
them no alternative but 10 retire.
Nell was utterly disgusted, not only
hy the part she had been made 10 play
in this unpleasant scene, but by her
companions humble demeanor and
Jem's own rudeneSS. AS for his threat
of speaking to the detective she seemed
to be past caring whether he carried
it into effect or not. She said nothing
rs they walked back to Shngle End,
and Miss BcSt;!, perhaps conscious
that she lad hulnhle1 herself Defo:u
this young ruftian a little more than
was meet. Was silent also.
When they reached the house the