Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-06-27

steps 10 the lell, ePlucutly WIFI 'he
hope of escaping into the fields behind
q group of cottages which stood be-
tween her and the inn. But Clifford
was too quick for her. She saw by
the pace by which he approached that
it was useless to try to avoid him, SO
she gave up the attempt, and came
steadily on with her eyes On the
ground.
Miss Claris! Nell!' said he, in a
low voice, as he came up to her.
She raised. her eyes to his face for a
have received and had probably read
them. If there was anything to hope
for in that fact, he might hug the
thought to his heart; but. considering
the terms in which he had written.
the warmth with which he begged her
to let him come down and see her,
there was very little encouragement
in that.
He was luckier than he had ventured
to expect. For as he came over the
little bridge which spanned the river
he saw Nell herself approaching the
house from the opposite direction. She
had her prayer-book in her hand, and
was evidently returning from Stroan,
where she had been to church.
moment only, and ne saw that a great
change had taken place in the girl
since he had last seen her. There was
in her face sullen expression, as diff
ferent as possible from the childlike
openness of face and manner which
had seemed to him her greatest charm.
And his heart smote him as he
thought that this change had been
brought about, though unintentionally
indeed, by him.
"YOu are not glad to see me, l can
see that" he went on, hurriedly, as he
turned and kept pace with her. "Of
course. 1 had no right to expect that
you would be, but still 1 had hoped"
She made no answer.
"You got my letters?'
EYES," answered Nell, in a tone in
which he was surprised to detect tre-
NOR.
"You know that / asked you to let
me come DOWN."
IL did not write to say that you
might, though"
But her tone was not angry, he
thought.
"Well, I did wait as long as could,
but, Nell, I was too miserable to wait
any longer. And now that [ see you,
and see that you look changed, and
think that it is my fault feel as If
I could hang myself"
He hoped she would say something.
but she did not. After few mo-
ments' silence he saw that tear was
falling down her cheek.
ooh, my darling" broke out Cliff
ford, unable to restrain himself any
longer, won't you let me marry you
and take you away? You have known
me long enough now, haven't yOu?"
But Nell shook her head.
II would never marry any one till
this affair of the robberies was cleared
up" answered she, firmly.
"And can't you help us to find it
out?"
At this her face changed, She
looked up at him with an expression
of angry defiance.
"That is what you came down for,
then-to see whether l could tell you
and satisfy your curiosity
your having the trouble Of
sending any more detectives down"
she cried, uttering the words with
breathless rapidity, while her frame
shook from head to foot. mo, Mr..
King, don't know anything, and if
did wouldn't tell you. You have be-
gun by prying into this business your
own way; you may finish 1t you own
way. too"
Nell, surely you don't think 1 had
anything to do with that wretched
business! You can't think so-you
can't! Why, it is to warn you that ]
have come-to warn you that some one
else may be sent. Mind, don't know
this; only guess it, but 1 thought ii
light that you should know"
But instead of seeming grateful for
he information, Nell evidently took it
IS a fresh offensc.
"Why should you warn me?' she
asked, and the pallor of her face gave
place suddenly to red blush of an.
ger. "Is it that 1 may put check to
ny larcenous propensities until he has
zone away again."
'Nell, Nell, how can youa You
would not if you knew how horribly |
t makes me suffer-
Suffer! All, it does matter when you |
uffer, doesn't it? But when it is only |
country innkeeper's niece who sui,
ers. who cares? And yet one would
ave thought - one would have
She broke down completely and
urst into tears. Clifford was at least
IS unhappy as she, and there was
noisture in his own eyes as he tried in
ain to comfort her. He did succeed
t last. however. in making her con
ess that she had never believed that
e had any share in the sending from
own Of the amateur detective, Jack
,owndes. AS for the fresh arrival
which Clifford told her to expect she
hrugged her shoulders about it when
be had grown a little cafmer.
Let them send him." she said, reck.
,ssly. II shall not even advise my
ncle to refuse to let him stay, even
/ guessed who he is. 1t must all be
ound out some day, and the harder