Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-06-12

thought to his heart but, considering
the terms in which he had written.
the warmth with which he begged her
to let him come down and see her.
there was very little encouragement
in that.
He was luclier than he had ventured
to expect. For as he came over the
little bridge which spanned the river
he saw Nell herself approaching the
house from the opposite direction. She
had her prayer-b book in her hand, and
was evidently returning from Stroan,
where she had been to church.
She saw him as soon as he saw her,
stopped, turned pale, and ran a few
steps to the left, evidently with the
hope of escaping into the fields behind
a group of cottages which stood be-
tween her and the inn. But Clifford
was too quick for her. She saw by
the pace by which he approached that
it was useless to try to avoid him, so
she gave up the attempt, and came
steadily OH with her eyes on the
ground.
Miss Claris! Nell!' said he, in a
low voice, as he came up to her.
She raised her eyes to his face for
moment only, and he saw that Il great
change had taken place in the girl
since he had last seen her. There was
in her face sullen expression. rs diff
ferent as possible from the childlikc
openness of face and manner which
had seemed to him her greatest charm.
And his heart smote him as he
thought that this change had been
brought about. though unintentionally
indeed, by him.
"You are not glad to see me-. l can
see that" he went on, hurredly. as he
turned and kept pace with her. "Of
course. had no right to expect that
YOU would be, but still ] had hoped"
She made no answer.
"You got my letters?'
"Ycs." answered Nell, in tone in
which he was surprised to detect tre-
NOR.
You know that asked you TO let
me come DOWN.
II did not write to say that you
might, though
But her tone was not angry, he
thought.
"Well, did wait as long as could,
but, Nell, | was too miserable To wait
any longer. And'now that | see you.
and see that you look changed. and
think that it is my fault. feel as II
| could hang myself
He hoped she would say something,
but she did not. After few mo-
mcnts' silence he saw that Il tear was
falling down her cheek.
"Oh, my darling" broke out Gift
ford, unable to restrain himself any
longer, won't you let me marry you
and take you away? You have known
me long enough now, haven't your
But Nell shook her head.
Il would never marry any one TIL
this affair of the robberies was cleared
up" answered she, firmly.
And can't you help us to find it
out?'
At this her face changed. She
looked up at him with an expression
of angry defiance.
THAT is what you came down for,
then-to see whether l could tell you
anything, and satisfy your curiosity
without your having the trouble OF
sending any more detectives down"
She cried, uttering the words with
breathless rapidity. while her frame
shook from head to foot. NO, Mr.
King, / don't know anything, and il
did wouldn't tell you. You have be-
gun by prying into this business your
own way; you may finish 1t you own
way, too"
Nell, surely you don't think l had
anything to do with that wretched
business! You can't think so-you
can't! Why, it is to warn you that l
have come-to warn you that some one
else may be sent. Mind, | don't know
this; only guess it, but thought II
right that you should know
But instead of seeming grateful for
the information, Nell evidently took it
as fresh offensc.
"Why should you warn me-? she
asked, and the nallor of her face gave
place suddenly to Il red blush OF an
ger. rs it that l may put check to
my larcenous propensities until he has
gone away again:'
Nell, Nell, how can youI You
would not if you knew how horribly
it makes me suffer"
"Suffer. All, it does matter when you
suffer, doesn't it? But when it is only
country innkeeper's niece who sut'
fers. who cares? And yet one would
have thought one would have
Thought
She broke down completely and
burst into tears. Clifford was at least
as unhappy as she, and there was
moisture in his own eyes as he tried in
vain to comfort her. He did succeed
at last, however, in making her con
fess that she had never believed that
he had any share in the sending from
town of the amateur detective, Jack
Lowndes. AS for the fresh arrival
which Clifford told her to expect she
shrugged her shoulders about it when
she had grown little calmer.
LET them send him." she said, reck'
lessly. II shall not even advise my
uncle to refuse to let him stay, even
il 1 guessed who he is 1t must all be
found out some day, and the harder
they try, .he sooner it will all be over
AS she was now quit" calm and
dry eyed, Clifford made one more at.
tempt to get at her own real views OF
the mystery. She had grown kinder
to him, and had acquitted him OF all
blame. For her own sake he must
make use of the opportunity.