The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-18


on his watch, besides? No, that l
won't. It's my belief it's a trmped-up
story altogether an dare him to fetch
the police in! I dare him to, say!'
And he gave another thump on the
table.
Ayarice as we'll as anger cleaned In
the mans eyes as he spoke, the aVar-
Ice of the man who has had to work
hard for small 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 up to the
excited man and put 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 tumult OF
rage.
II know there has! I know there
hasm said he, between his teeth. AN
I'd like to catch the rascal as did 'em.
But nobody before as dared to say
YOU or me was at the bottom of 1t,
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 a mans watch
or purse-me or my niece! Its plant,
my girl, a plant Of this fine London
gentleman. Twenty-Five pounds! You
bet it's more than he's worth, every
rag and stick of him. He's heard OF
nv 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 won't.
I won't! I'll do time rather"
Clifford was torn with battling emo
tions as he listened to this speech,
which was indeed like that Of a bro
ken-hearted man. He had not been
able to stem the torrent Of the poor
fellows fierce wrath, and it was only
when Claris sank down with his head
UPON the table that he was able to say,
very quietly:
II never thought of asking for COM
pensation, Mr.. Claris. I should not
think of doing so. All I want is to
clear up this detestable puzzle, much
more in your interests than In mine.
I am not a rich man, but neither am l
q beggar, as you have rather unkindly
suggested. I can afford the loss of
nv watch and money, but cannot af-
ford to leave you and poor Miss Nell
here without doing my best to ind
out the cause Of these unfortunate oc-
currences."
Then Nell looked again in his face
with a smile. which made him ready
to 60 on his knees and worship her
for her sweet forbearance.
Thank you," said she. Then turn
ing to her uncle: "It will come right"
she said; cor, at least" she added,
hurriedly, 1--WE will hope it may. You
20 back to your work, uncle, and l
will see If I can't set my wits to work
and have something to tell you when
I next meet you"
Claris allowed himself to be coaxed
into compliance with her wishes, and
presently disappeared into the bar.
Then, when they were alone together
Clifford noticed q sudden alteration IN
her manner toward himself. 1t was
no longer the confiding, childish beha-
vior Of light-hearted girl; 1t was the
responsible gravity of an older and
thoughtful woman.
You are not to distress yourself,
Mr.. King" she said, quietly. AL
though it is terrible thing for us
we are, in a way, used to it, for, as
you heard me say, there have been two
or three cases of theft here before.
hope you are not in a hurry to get
back to Stroan, for should like, be-
fore you 60, to have search made OF
the house and a few more inquiries"
She would not listen to his protests,
his objections. but left him and went
upstairs. Clifford, miserable and per-
picked, went out into the garden and
strolled among the cabbages and car
rots, torn by doubts which he tried
in vain to suppress.
In about ten minutes he saw, from
the corner Of the garden where ne
was smoking his pipe under an apple
tree, Nell coming quickly out Of the
house by the back way, and flying
like an arrow down to the rivers
bank. From the glimpse he caught
| of her face he saw that she looked
scared and guilty, and that she cast
around her the glance of a person VINO
does not wish to be observed.
| Hastily unmooring one of the boats
which lay by the bank she got in,
scuIled across the stream, made the
boat fast to the opposite shore, and
began to run across the open fields as
fast as her feet could carry her.
1t occurred at once to Clifford that
she must be going to take counsel
with her friend, Miss Bostal, and he
started in the direction Of Shingle
End himself, thinking that 1t would be
a good idea for him to open his hear
to that lady, and reassure Nell at ~
his own trust in her through the un'
impeachable lips Of her elderly friend.
He went by the road, and saunterlng
along at a very sedate pace, reached
the little tumbledown residence of
| Colonel Bostal just as Nell, emerging
from it by a back gate into the fields