Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-09-26
CHAPTER XIX.
Continued.

$50, you've been a-visiting. have
you, sir?' she said, in a deep, gruff
whisper, glancing up at the gloomy
windows of Single End. "Aye, they
want q few lively folk to come and
see 'em and cheer 'em up, for sure"
And she gave him a series of mods
and shakes of the head, all of which
were meant to carry weighty mean-
ing.
"Well, this isn't the best place in the
world for people who are fond of
Company is it," said Clifford. 81
dare say you feel lonely yourself
sometimes, don't you?
"Well, I get some don't expect
sometimes, sir" she answered, with
mystery. 1.-TWO nights ago, now, 1
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
terest made her break off and look at
him attentively She smiled know
ingly.
Maybe you know who I mean, sir?"
miss Claris?" asked he, with as
much apparent indifference as he
could.
"Aye, sir. She was in my cottage
over an hour, and sorry enough l felt
for her, 1 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.
"Where is she now? Do you know?"
asked Clifford, no longer Disgusting
his interest. '1f it's a secret" he
went on, as the old lady said nothing,
81 think you will not do wrong In con-
fiding it to me, as | wish her all the
good in the world"
"It's we'll there's some as do. sir"
said she, with a suddenly lowered
voice "And / don't know as I'm do
ing harm in telling you she is staying
at Courtstairs. up Paradise Hill,
No. 45. And you can tell her If you
see her as l 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 as he
was about to start off in the direction
of Courtstairs. "are you at liberty to
tell me what she was doing here? Was
she visiting the Bostals?"
"You mustn't ask me any more"
she said. There's things one mustn't
so much as guess at" she added,
enigmatically, as she retreated to her
own doorway.
Clifford did not trouble his head
about these hints. 1t was enough for
him that Nell was now within his
reach. And he 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 misty blue line on his right
hand, seemed neyer-ending. Clifford
had no eyes for the effect of sunset
on the chalk cliff to his right. for the
picturesque little farm perched up
high above the waters edge. as he
drew near to Beach Bay.
Past the Shooters Arms, the way
side inn which hap,.ly forms the limit
of the explorations Of the devasta-
ting hOrdes from the East End Of
London with which benevolent rail
way companies have ruined one of the
pleasantest. spots in England. Past
the tiny village of Beach, with It's pic
turesgue. steep miniature street. and
Its hideous COnvalescent Home and
waste of brand-new tea-garden. Up
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 q yard. a minute, so that
he might lose no time in reaching his
darling.
He had to inquire for Paradise Hill,
which proved to be one of the innum-
cradle back streets Of mean houses of
which the town chiefly consists. He
fourd No. 40 easily enough. 1t was
one of q row of small yellow brick
houses. with windows OH the
ground floor, which would formerly
have been called cottages, but which,
since the School Board brought in
pretension have become "villas."
CIfford's heart sank little as he
asked for Miss Claris." This stuffy
little dwelling, after the fresh air OF
the rambling inn by the shore, must
be torture to the girl.
The woman who opened the door
looked at him sulkily.
I'll see if she's ill.," she said, as If
the profIered service was great con-
ascension.
And then she disappeared into the
front room. When she came out
again she was followed by Nell her
self.
Or was it Nell? This thin-faced,
white girl, with the dull. frightened
eyes? For the first moment Clifford
was hardly sure.
But she started violently, and the
expression of her face changed. The
look of alarm gave place to one of
such joy, such. comfort and radiant
delight that Clifford was too much
moved to speak. =
They both stood silent until the