Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-06-26

with barring ncF passage WIFI HlS pel'
son, skillfully battling each attempt she
made to pass him. These attempts on
her side, and the successful move.
ments by which Jcm frustrated them,
brought both the young people near
enough to the detective in his place Of
concealment for him TO hear the words
which the fisherman addressed to the
girl.
in no very subdued voice. you had
better listen to what I've got to say.
and so tell you. For If you don't, III
just take myself off and say it to some.
body else instead
Indeed, that is Just what l want
YOU to do," answered Nell Indignantly.
"You know very well that don't wish
to talk to you now or at any other
time. but especially now"
What do you mean by especially
now,' ch, Miss Fine-Lady. Peacock?"
asked Jem, who had evidently been
drinking, although he knew what he
was doing.
But for answer the girl turned sud.
inn. Jem, however, being prepared for
such attempt, soon caught her, and
this time they were too far away from
the detective to hear what they said,
although he could distinguish the tones
Of their respective voices.
1t was evident that the very next
words uttered 10y lem made great
and terrible impression upon Nell.
Her face, which had at first expressed
nothing but loathing and disgust, be-
came in moment rigid with horror,
as the young man. standing quite close
to her, and speaking in a hoarsc whis
per, said something TO her in an cX.
cited and earnest manner.
SO anxious was the detective to learn
what it was which produced so strong
an effect upon the girl, that he crawlcd
from his hiding place to the di'ch
which ran alongside the road, and
crept along, sometimes in the water,
and sometimes only in the mud, until
lie was close enough to the two speak
crS to catch most Of their words. When
he stopped. the girl was refusing some
request Of the mans, with all the en-.
crgy of loathing ana dctestation.
"Of course l will not" she was say.
ing vChemcntly. "Of course, nobody
would believe you for moment. And
| don't suppose you would dare to tell
them to anybody else, for fear Of be.
ing taken for lunatic."
Don't you? Oh, all right, then"
sneercd lem. 81 MAJ tell that Hem
ming then. that's been spying round
here lately. and that's put your unclc's
back up so by the questions he's been
asking. l may tell him. eh, Miss"
The detective could not see the girls
face rs she answered, after a little
pause:
You may conic up with me to Shin
gle End, and tell your story to the
colonel and Miss Theodore; that's
what you may do--if you dare"
There was another pause, and the
detective knew, from the way in which
she had uttered these words, as well
as from the attitude in which she wait
ed for the tishcrman's answer, that she
was less defiant than her words. At
last the fisherman spoke again. And
it was clear that the proposal was not
to his taste.
Look here, Miss Nell"' said he. in
argumt tntative tone, do you really
dare me to do that? Come, you know
as l shouldn't have dared to have spok.
en- to you so open if l hadn't got proof
positive. Now come, Should /? Why,
your face told as how you knowed
knowed, and SO what's the good of
Drawing me? And knowing what I
know, isn't it plain l mean no harm,
when | could easy earn pound or two
out Of peachin' to the detective chap?
Come, now, you must see it, eh?'
Come and say it out. then. before
witnesses-I dare you TO do it!' re-
tortcd Nell. with little more assur-
ance as she noted the mans rcluct-
ance 10 take this step.
mo, l shan't"' he replied, sullcnly.
II shall go to work my own way. And
l say this: il you choose to speak civil
to me, don't ask for much more, and
TO ask me in to tea with you and your
uncle, just how you asked the young
swells rs were down here three months
back. why, | hold my tongue, and it'll
go no farther tnan you and me. But
If you don't choose to do this"
II don't choosev' retorted Nell quite
fiercely. II tell you the whole story
Is absurd, and that nobody would be.
!ieve you for 4 moment, and you can
tell it to whom you please"
And she suddenly sprang away from
Jem, and gaining the road with rapid
steps, walked quickly in the direction
of Shingle End.
"All right" shouted Jem, threaten
ingly, in stcnt0rian tones, as he kept
pace with her, walking towards the
colonels house by the fields, as she
went by the road. "BCt If you'll take
my advice, you'll make clean breast
Of it to your grand friends and sec if
they don't say you'd best keep in with
mer'
AS lie shouted the last words, Jem
Stickels passed the spot where the de-
tective was in hiding. Within a few
moments the latter took the opportuni-
ty of issuing from his uncomfortable
shelter. and, following Jem at quick
pace, came up with him before he
reached the fence which surrounded