The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-15
TTOreNCe |drdSn,
rAuthoc of " The House on hs HarSh," etc.
Copyrigh, 1885, Robert Bonner's Sons:


Robert Bonner's Sons.
I mean you to look your own self
again Immediately. Do you know why
I have come here, Nell?"
She was silent.
I have come to marry you"
Nell shook her head, but she drew a
long sigh of satisfaction.
81 like to hear you say 80. It is good
of you," she said, in q gentle, timid
voice, "although it is impossible"
"WhyT
"Oh, you don't want me to 60 over
the old ground again. Can't you be
satisfied that it is impossible?"
"No, I can't, unfortunately. Ny
darling, you can't hold out any longer.
1t was digniied to refuse before; now
it would only be foolish. Who is go
ing to take care Of you now, Nell, If
you won't have me?"
But he had touched tender spot,
and she began to cry softly.
"Poor 'unclew sobbed she. 1T near
ly broke my heart when he did not
know even me. And then when they
took him away"
"Was he harmlessT asked Clifford,
interrupting.
"Yes; he was quite harmless, and
would let me manage him always.
And the police came and-and took
him away" .
"The police? Do you mean that?"
"Yes. they have haunted us both
ever since we left the Blue Lion" !"
whispered she, earnestly. "And I
know they are trying to find out the
mystery you know what - through
him. Isn't it dreadful!'
Clifford did not answer at once. 1t
seemed to him that the chances Of bis
being able to save the girl were
growing small indeed. Her own ut
ter hopelessness, her nervous dread,
had affected him during the short sill
ences between their questions and an
swers to each other; she seemed to be
always listening, straining her ears
for any sound outside. The cry Of a
street urchin made her start, a cart
passing quickly at the corner OF the
street sent the blood to her forehead.
Her nerves, poor child, were alto
gether shaken.
Clifford looked at her in dismay.
Even the strong love which had stood
every test was apparently powerless
to give her more than momentary
comfort. o..
"My darling" he whispered, "let
me take you up to town tonight. I
will take you straight to your aunt's,
and in the shortest time possible
will marry you. and take you out of
England altogether"
Nell drew back and stared at him.
"You don't understand" she said.
.This case is, really coming on now.
The police don't disguise that they
know enoughsto 90 upon now. have
the strongest reason, the very strong
est, for believing that they will come
for me to-day"
ITO arrest you?' cried Clifford,
hoarsely. She began to tremble and
to look at him askance.
mo, not to arrest me-" and she
shuddered. Then a look Of terror,
more acute than ever, came into her
eyes. perhaps that is it. Perhaps
that is really what they mean to do"
she whispered doubtfully. 'They said
it was only my evidence they wanted,
| but-but-"
She hesitated-stopped. Clifford's
heart was wrung. Surely no jury that
ever sat could convict this poor, help
less, gentle girl of anything but un;
conscious crime. He would have
staked his life that she was as inno-
cent of these mysterious crimes in in
tent as he was himself Of them In
deed. !... IS
my darlingLmy poor darling!- of
course they only want your evidence"
But his own voice shook and his
| eyes were dim. He tried to cheer her,
to encourage her to say words which
he could hardly feel, but the girl
scarcely seemed to hear him. Sud-
denly, in the midst Of his vain efforts
at consolation, she stood up.
"They are come" said she.
Clifford started up. He had heard
nothing. But Nell's patient ears
were keener than his. In another mo-
ment there was a knock at the outer
door. And then a knock at the door
Of the room. He looked round wild
ly, and, seizing her arm, would have
had her hide herself behind the little
sofa, but she smiled sadly and shook
her head.
"Come inp' she said.
And as the girl had foretold with
uncannily correct prophecy. SER
geant Of police from Stroan, very
civil, very apologetic and humane,
presented himself.
every sorry, Miss, to have to in
trude," said he. "But I must ask you
to come along with me as far as
Stroan, just to tell the magistrate
something that will help us on a bit"
'"This Is not an arrest?" said Cliff
ford, trying to hide his anxiety.
"No, sir"
But Nell's white face seemed to be-
tray the belief that it was.