Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-03
wv
CHAPTER Y
ConfiIilnd

| 10 DC neafu, Stlll Walking alOnS tne
high road. But Jem, who did wish to
be heard, bawled out his answer at the
top Of his voice:
"Ycs, Mr.. Hemming, It's me right
enough. And maybe I've got as much
to tell you as you've got to ask me,
sirr'
The detective saw that Nell, who
was now at the corner of the road, and
about to turn to go up to the trout
door of the house, stopped, hesitated,
and seemed half-inclined to return to
where Jem stood.
Perceiving this, Jcm drew back a
step and appeared to wait for her. But
Nell did not come back. After few
moments of indccislon, she disappeared
round the corner Of the white house.
Jem Stickels, however, seemed either
TO have changed his mind about telling
the detective what he knew or to have
only meant to frlghten the girl by
pretending that he was going to do SO;
for instead of speaking again to Hem
ming, he jumped over the fence into
the garden, and, running at full speed
across the now bare tlower-beds, fiat
tened his nose against the window Of
the kitchen, where a light was burn
Ing
By moving a few paces to the left,
the detective, from where he stood out
side the fence, could see that there
were figures moving inside the kitchen,
and could presently distinguish the
two figures within as those of Nell and
Miss Bostal respectively. lie could
see, also, although he could hear moth
ing, that Nell was pouring out some
narrative in an excited manner, and
that the elder lady was quietly listen
ing.
"Ah! ah! ah!'
The hoarse sound of Jem Stickels's
derisive laughter suddenly startled the
two ladies, who sprang apart anu
glanced at the window.
"Ah! All! ahw roarcd the young fish
crman gin.
The detective was OH the point of
| leaping the fence, with the intention of
addressing Jem, when the back-door
of the house was suddenly opened, and
Miss Bostal, we'll muffled up in u thick
wooden shawl SO that only her little.
thin pinched nose and gentle light eyes
could be seen, addressed the fisher
man in kindly tones from out of the
woody depths Of her covering.
"Jem Sticllcls, is that YOU? What
nre you doing out there, frightening us
out of our lives? If you have anything
to say to us, come inside"
But the lady's voice, kindly yet m
perious, seemed to render the surly
young fellow somewhat abashed. lie
would have skunk away and got back
over the fence into the field again, but
That there was tone of command ID
the prim little lady's voice which made
lim pause.
II haven't got nothin' to say to nciih'
tr of YOU" glumbled he, snllcnly
"Who said rs l had? l haven't said
nothin' to nobody, barrin' just this:
That l don't see why Miss in there
should treat me as il l were dirt, and
that if she goes on treatin' me that
way, I've got the means of being even
with her"
The little prlm lady could be heard
70 sigh. She seemed genuinely con-
cerned about this matter.
"But haven't you heard" said she.
with Il prim little affectaticn OF
| 90 NJ
won fair ladyY How Is it that you
are SO sure that Miss Clars means to
treat you badlyt'
How am l sure" beloved Jem,
flaming up into wrath. "Why, I'm slrc
of it because che does it-bccause she
never meets he but what she turns
her head away as If was beneath my
lady's notice. That's why l am sure,
an that's why l say I'll be even with
hCr."
Dear. dear" hleatcd Miss Bostal MS
phe drew her shawl more closely about
her. Il shouldn't have expected a
brave fellow like you to threaten a
lady"
Jem only grunted.
IL should have expected you to have
more patience. Come, now, Shall
speak to her for you? / don't know
mind, that l can DO any good; but If
any word of mine can help the path
of true love run smooth, why, I'll say
7 with pleasure"
But Jem only replied by jeerlne
laugh.
81 mean it," chirped the lady. "1'l
speak to her myself. And now VIII yo,
come into the kitchen and hear me
speak to her? Perhaps that will sat
isfy you"
After few minutes hesitation Jcn
slouched into the passage; and Miss
30 ,tal was about to close the door
when the detective, VINO had taker
care TO hear every word Of this colo
ouy, appeared suddenly before her, ant
put his hand upon the door
"Bcg pardon, ma'am, but l should
like few words with ycu, if you'll
be so good as 20 see ne for few MN
utes privately. My names Hepming
nla'am. and daresay It's got to yo,il
ears that I'm here nb1ut this robbery
businNs at the Blrc Lion
Miss Bostal, who had uttered littl'
shlil scream OF fright on the frs
appearance Of the stranger, now re
Eovrred herself and gave d little gasl
bf acquiesrencc.