Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-09-11
CHAPTER NIX.
Continued.

you, sir?" she said, in a deep, gruff
whisper, glancing up ut the gloomy
windows of Shinglc End. AYE, they
want few lively folk to come and
see 'cm and cheer 'em up, for surc!'
And she gave him series of mods
and shakes of the head, all of which
were meant to carry Wcighty mean-
ing.
"Wcll, this isn't the best place In the
world for people who are fond of
company is it:' said Clifford. II
dare say you feel lonely yourself
sometimes don't you:'
"Wcll, l get some l don't expect
sometimes, sir" she answered, with
mystery. 1.-TWO nights ago. now. l
had young lady in 'ere-a young
lady you may know, sir, who was very
much talked about last year, poor
dear"
Cliffords sudden start into vivid in
tercst made her break off and look ut
him attcntivcly. She smiled know.
ingly.
"NIaybc you know who l mean, sir?o
"Miss Claris?" asked he, with rs
much apparent indifference as he
could.
"Ayc, sir. She was in my cottage
! over an hour, and sorry enough | felt
for her, must say, whatever people
think"
And the old woman, who probably
knew more than she affected TO do
! about Clifford and his feeling toward
Miss Claris, gave a sigh, and again
found relief in her feelings in shake
of the head.
"Wherc is she now? DO You know"
asked Clifford. no longer Disgusting
his interest. "If It's u secret" lie
went on. rs the old lady said nothing,
IL think you will not do wrong in con
fiding il to me, as | wkh her all the
good in the world"
"It's well there's some as do, sir"
said she, with n suddenly lowcrod
voice. "And don't know as I'm DO
ing harm in telling you she is staying
at Courtstairs. up Paradise Hill,
| No A.. And you can tell her If you
see her as | wouldn't have told no.
body but YOU
Clifford was overwhelmed with Joy
at this unexpected piece Of good for
tune, and he promised at once to give
her message.
"By the bye" he said. Just rs he
was about to start off in the. direction
,t,,i OF a.
tell mo what she was doing here? Was
she visiting the BoStalS:'
you mustn't ask me any more"
she said. "ThrrcS things on" mustn't
so much as guess at" she added,
cnignaticaliy, rs She rctrcatcd to her
own doorway.
Clifford did not trouble his head
about these hints. 1t was enough for
him that Mel! was now within his
reach. And Inc set off for Courtstairs
with set purpose in his mind.
The walk along the straight marsh
road, with the wind in his face, and
the sea a misty blue line on his right
hand. seemed ncver-cnding. Clifford
had no eyes for the effect of sunset
on the chalk cliff to his right, for the
picturesque little farm pcrchcd up
high above the waters edge, as he
drew near to Beach Bay.
Past the Shooters Arms, the way
side inn which hah.ily forms the limit
Of the explorations of the dcvasta-
ting hordcs from the East End of
London with which benevolent rail
way companies have ruined one of the
pleusantcst spots in England. Past
the tiny village of Beach, with its pic
turcsquc. steep miniature street. and
its hidcous Conyalescent Home and
waste of brand.ncw Garden. Tn
on the Beach road, in full SIGHT of the
sea and of the fishing fleet coming in
upon the breast of the tide. Clifford
saw nothing. thought of nothing but
how to save Il ward, n minute, so that
he might lose no time in reaching his
darling,
1Io bo1 to ;,,,,iro for p,rod,oo I1iu
witch nrovod 20 ho ono Of tho i,,nr,n'
or,,Jo L,n,, o,rnot. of moan hou.os Of
,rhin, thn town ,hin1v oo,sists rTo
ca,nI W. ~ o,su,, o,o,,oh II Voc
ono of , row of small ynl,ow hricl,
bonsos win, Lovv,indov. ON +ho
rnannI ooar v,hinh would eor,,orIy
Ioro Lonn n,,,o1 nott,ro. hut ,yhich
siaco thn snhoo, noord hronaht in