Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-17

Now, there was no place to which
Nell would not rather have gone than
to Shingle End. For was not senti.
mental Miss Theodora the very cause
of the outrage which had put Cliff
fOrd's life in danger? If 1t had not
been for Miss Bostal's well meaning
but ill-iiudged encouragement, Jem
Stickels would never have dared to
think he could have a chance
with girl who was so far removed
from him in every way as Nell. Now,
with natural feminine obstinacy, Miss
Bostal would he sure to take Jem's
part against Clifford, especially when
1t reached her ears that the latter had
come down at Nell's own request. SO
that ii was with slow, unwilling feet
that Nell made her way to the colo
nel's house.
Everything turned out as she eX-
pected, with this exception. that Miss
| BoStal was so much more concerned
| about Jem than about Clifford that she
| insisted on marching off that very mo-
ment to inquire rs to Jem's condition,
| and insisted on dragging the unwilling
| girl with her on the expedition.
At first Nell absolutely refused to
go. But she had to give way. being
touched by the sclf-reproach Of the
prim little elderly lady, who blamed
herself MS much for Jem's misfortune
as Nell blamed herself for Cliffords
at was all my fault. l feel that
have brought 1t upon the poor fellow
myself" was the burden of Miss Bos.
tails lament, Just as it had previously
been of Nell's.
She even shed tears at the thought
of facing the young man upon whom
she had brought more than one YES
fortune For she persisted in regard
ing his assault upon Clifford as an
other grievance of Jem's rather than
of the hated rivals.
Nell said little as they went along.
She was on the one hand deeply anX-
ious about her lover; while on the
other she hardly knew whether to
laugh at Miss Bostars eXtravagances
or to cry sympathctically over her
grief.
The little cottage where Jem lodged
was soon reached. Miss Bostals
knock was answered, unexpectedly
enough, by Jem in person. There
seemed to be little the matter with
him, except for cut on his lower lip,
the result of the blow with which
Clifford had felled him. If his bodily
state was sound, however. this was all
that could be said for him. more
forbidding expression of sullen fcroci-
ty than that which his face wore as he
recognized his visitors it would be I'M
possible to imagine.
"Oh, so it's you, is it?" was his surly
greeting, as with a scowl he made
movement to shut the door in the
lady's face.
But his patroness was ready with
the soft answer that turned away
wrath Pressing forward quickly and
keeping Nell's hand in hers with u
tight grip she edged her way into the
cottage, and regardless of the fact
that the man and woman with whom
Jem lodged were present, addressed
the young boor in the gentlest of
voices:
"Oh, dear! oh, dear! don't send us
away like that! We are SO very sorry
for what has happened to you. We
want to know if we can do any
thing
Nell was frowning and trying to get
away. indignant at the lowly tone her
companion was taking And 1t was
upon Nell that Jem's eyes were fixed
as he interruptel the other Lady.
mol! roared he. "Iou can't do
nothin'-as yet. But" and he raised
his voice and lifted his fist against an
imaginary foe. as he stared harder at
Nell than ever, "I'm blest if you won't
find mor6n enough to do to answer
the questions as II be put to you folks
some of you-to morrow morning.!
Nell suddenly ceased struggling and
fixed her eyes upon Jems swollen ana
excited face. in which the veins were
rising like knotted cords.
man?" pped Miss Bostal, in the gen
tlest accents, her mild efforts to calm
the excited monster appearing every
| moment more futile and inadequate.
"Oh, you know very well what
mean, or, leastways, Miss Claris does!'
pursued Jem, i'm the same key, and
with staggering confidence, when
caused little Miss Bostal to recoil
| few steps, as if before Il physical at
| tack "And If you don't, why you'll
know soon enough. I'm just a-goin'."
proceeded Jem, with sullen emphasis,
"to have my pipe and my 'alf pint"
| and he took his beloved clay out of his
| pocket as he spoke, land then Pm just
a-goin to walk over to The Bell, at
| Stroan to ask If a certain gen'le
| from Lon'on is in"
And, without further ceremony,
Jem turned his back on the Indies. and
marching oH the room by the oppo-
| site end, through the back door, left
them no alternative but to retire.
Nell was utterly disguised, not only
by the part she had been made to play
in this unpleasant scene, but by her
| companions humble demeanor and
| Jem's own rudeness. AS for his threat
| of speaking to the detective she seemed
| to be past caring whether he carried
| 1t into effect or not She said nothing
| as they walked back to Shingle End
n1