The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-11-15
blow. ana Fading Jss rAss.is >ooIly
UininR lila knifa IN. icx ss.i.inl,

grew on this side of tbs house. be
seized tie fisherman by the throat
with one hand. snatcheG his knife
from him and flung it away with tine
other, ard then hurled the man from
Kim with such violence that the latter
fell, and striking his head upon the
stone ledge Of window lay motion
less on tie ground.
Then. Suddenly overcome by a feel
ing of dizziness. the result of his
wound Clifford staggered back against
the broken door aud into NeIfs arms.
''Oh, it is my fault--my fault,
ought not to have asked you to Gomez
moaned she. not attempting 20 hide
her affectionate concern froEi the peo-
| pie who, startled by the noise OF the
ARRAY, now pressed into the room.
George Claris was among the first
to enter. and he frowned angrily on
seeing Clifford, of whose arrival lie
had not yet heard.
so it's you. is it. Mr.. Kingr' he ex-
claimed surlily, on recognizing the
man whom he looked upon as the orr.
| gin of all his trouble. And what have
you been up TO now, eh?'
''Oh. uncle. uncle. can't you see that
he's hurt. badly hurt" implored Nell.
"Send for doctor-oh. some one pray
go for a doctor, or he will bleed 10
deathr''
But George Claris hardly concealed
the fact that that event would give
I'm, ;cfa
ance; he did not dare to interfere.
however. when Nell gave orders to one
of the men who had crowded in, 40 20
TO Stroan for a doctor.
''Who did it:' somebody. not the
landlord. presently asked.
Clifford WAS by this tine hardly cun-
scious. He had been laid on The sofa.
while Nell herself, keeping enough
presence OF mind to be OF Use ana 20
See what the danger was, held her OWN
fingers to the wound To check the How
of blood.
She heard the question aud an
swered it.
1T was Jem Stickels. He struck
him through the glass
This reply led to further ,nves;.ga-
tions. and Jem was quickly discov-
cred and brought into the room where
his victim lay. Unconscious though
he was. having been stunned severely.
Jem. of course, got no ply from Nell.
And when some of the men suggested
carrying him TO the cotiage where he
lodged, which was within stones
throw of the inn, Nell made no sI-gss-
ton that he should remain where he |
was. being uuaffectelly glad to have |
him taken out Of her sigh:.
Buxom. Meg exchanged many Il aod |
and wink and grin with the customers |
from the bar, inspired by the utter alb
sorp;ion Nell showed in i:pr lover and !
his danger.
"All my faGlt-my iaul,:.' the girl
kept murmurin;. rs she hung over /
Clifford. watching his face. which had !
grown pale. with strainia- eyes. and
listening anxiously TO the breathing
which told her that he WAS alive.
Then Meg became abruptly con-
scious that there WAS something in
this simple grief. this maideniy affec
ton. too sacred for the :aZF az the
rough, though sympathetic. group
And she bundled them ali. with large
gestures rs OF gigan-
tic hen. back into the lar. And Nen
and her lover and her unc.c were left
together.
George Claris. though he. too. was
somewhat touched. was uneasy and
What was lie doing down here:'
he began. inqrisitorial'y, when they
were left alone. And what WAS he
up to that made Jem Srickc.s knife
him? No good. I'll be bound ::rum-
bled he.
He loves me. uncle. He has asked
me. weeks ago. TO br his wife. but ]
hadn't even promised; IN. not word,
but when he came to-day
'Ah. what made him come today
Nell hesitated. and ihsn confessed
IN low voice:
II sent for him.
George Claris mumbled his dissatis-
faction.
"And what made Jen, Sticsels knife
him? Come, now, / shoa.d have
thought you were above having any
hing to do with chap like him.
But I've seen him loaknc abont more'n
Usual lately"
1T was not fault. of course said
Nell. simply. And OF course he had
10 right toto
ITO be jealous? Sd ! saonid ha'
hought. Still. he Was Jealous. eh:"
Il suppose so."
There was u short s;!cncc; ;hrn
George Claris spoke again:
"well, lass. it's no use talking 10
cause they've got their own
way o. Going things. whatever you say
o 'em. But you've brew'd yourself
,eck o. trouble between them two
.haps. and neither me nor anybody
,ut yourself can help you out OF Ii.
An mind. I won't say I'll have this