Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-06-27
The Rouse on lhs Narsh," etc J
Copyright. 1895, by Robert Bonner's Sons.

take some steps to vindicate their sa-
gacity.
SO fully convinced was he that they
would make some fresh attempt to fix
the guilt Of the robberies on Nell that
he went down to COurtstairs at the
end Of the week, and on the Sunday
morning walked over to the Blue Lion
with the intention Of warning her that
she and her uncle would probably be
subjected to more annoyance of the
kind from which they had recently
suffered.
His road lay past Single End, and
as he approached Colonel Bostal's
house he overlook the old gentleman
and his daughter on their way back
from church.
The colonel, recognizing Clifford, as
the latter merely raised his hat and
would have passed, called him to stop.
mo, no." said he, good-humoredly,
1--WE don't get so many visitors down
from London at this till Of year that
we can afford to let you go b. like
that"
Miss Bostal, however, was less cor
dial. She did not offer to shake hands
with him. and she eyed his tweed suit
and low-crowned hat with open dis
favor.
81 am afraid" said Clifford, "that
Miss Bostal thinks l haven't brought
enough of London down with me-"
The colonel laughed, and said they
would overlook that. But the prim lit
tie lady said Jelly:
81 know that young men take things
easily, nowadays. 1t is the fashion.
But it used to be thought rather shock
ing to see a gentleman on Sundays
without frock coat and a tall hat. /
am old-fashioned and prejudiced, I
suppose, but"
Her father interrupted her.
Good gracious, Theodore, if you are
old-fashioned, what ought 1 to be?
And should think Mr.. King very fool
ish to walk along a country road in
his Bond-street get-up on Sunday or
any other day."
"Oh, it is who am foolishw retorted
Miss Theodore. 81 suppose the clergy
man didn't mind; he gets too much
used to that sort of thing nowadays.
But in my young days vicar would
have felt himself insulted if any men,
Der of the upper classes had appeared
at service in such costume"
Even the colonel, who was presum-
ably accustomed to his daughters va
carries. was astonished at her acrimo-
NOUS tones. Clifford, who was hardly
prepared with an answer. was much
relieved when she made an excuse of
preparing dinner to leave him with
her father.
AS the spare figure. with it's curious
ly old-fashioned dress Of fifteen years
back, lifted up it's skirts with both
hands, in the ancient manner, and dis
appeared into the house, the colonel
laughed silently.
II need not apologize for my daugh-
ter, suppose" he said. with twinkle
in his eye. women fossilize more
quickly than we do, you know"
II really began to feel rather fright
ened," said Clifford. II was speculat.
ing as to what would happen If I
should let slip the fact that hadn't
been to church at all this morning"
"She knew that as well as we did,
imagine" said the colonel. "The vicar
gave us an hour and ten minutes of it
this morning. so l suppose she felt bit
ter"
II don't see why she should have
vented her feelings On me-" murmured
Clifford.
But the old gentleman suddenly
stopped short. He had been walking
On with Clifford in the direction of the
Blue Lion.
II have itw he exclaimed with con-
viction. Its on account Of Nell Cla- |
lis, her little protege. My daughter is |
very indignant about the way in which |
he girl has been prosecuted lately, |
and L suppose she thinks that you
nave had something to do with it."
'"Then indeed she is wrong" cried
Clifford, hotly. Nobody is more an
,ry that 1 am about it. And you will
believe me VIXEN l tell you that 1 have
,Ome down on purpose to ask Nell,
md for the second time, to be my
wife"
The old gentleman listened with
ivid interest.
"Come back with me; do come in
ide the house with me for one min
te," he said, with as much excite
lent as the young man himself had
hown. Theodore will be ready to
mbrace you when she hears"
But Clifford, who was in no hurry
} be embraced by Theodore, excused
imself. He had so little time, he
aid. he was afraid he should hardly
e able to get back to COurtstairs be.
ore dark.
"Tell Miss Theodore" said he, "that
am very grateful to her for believing
/ my darling girl. / call her mine,
Though she won't give me the rightto
o so. But 1 haven't given up hope,
nd 1 shall not do so, even If she re.
Uses me again."
Still it was with very little conf
ence in his immediate chances of sue.
ess that Clifford, after taking leave
{ the colonel, walked briskly on to
ne little inn. He had written to
ell three or four times, without re.
Giving angle line in answer. She
ad not returned his letters; she must