Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-07-25
CHAPTER XI.
Continued.


The worst Of it was that the serti-
mental little old maid, under the pre-
text of curing her protege Of her unfor-
tunate attachment, by dfverting her
thoughts to more appropriate chan.
nel took Jem Stickels in hand herself,
promised him every assistance with
Nell if he would promise TO reform
and encouraged the fisherman to per-
secute Nell more than ever. 1t was she
who persuaded Jem TO WOO with less
arrogant air, with offers to turn over
new leaf" for her sake, and other
similar Establishments.
And although Nell guessed who 1t
was that had inspired this alteration,
the girl was obliged to take a different
attitude to her unwelcome wooer In
consequence. 1t is easy to be naughty
and studiously frigid to presumptu.
Gus person; but when that person be-
comes meek and almost servile in his
endeavors to make himself useful,
even in the humblest capacity, when
he insists upon chopping your wood
and carrying your water, then it is diff
1icdlt to maintain a properly freezing
attitude.
The climax came one afternoon
when Nell was invited to tea by Miss
Bostal, and was let in on her arrival
by the detested Jem.
Nell looked quite shocked when, on
entering the house, she learned from
the young mans lips that he had been
invited, too.
The young girl turned to the door Of
the diningroOm, where a small fire
burned in honor OF the occasion, to go
in search of her hostess. Jem, who
was in his Sunday clothes, in which he
presented q stronger contrast than
ever to the refined, delicate-handed
girl, said awkwardly that Miss Bostal
would be down directly. AS Nell TAX
ing no notice of this intimation, was
about to leave the room, he suddenly
found courage to place himself before
the door.
Its done a-purpose; she done it a.
purpose" he explained, growing more
rustic than usual in his speech under
pressure of his excitement, $50 might
have a chance Of speaking to you"
Nell looked angry and anxious; but
she looked him in the face with an ex-
preston which daunted him little.
'She don't know what want to say
to YOU" he went on in a hoarse whis-
per. "She thinks / want to ask you
to marry me, as if I should be such
precious fool! No, what want to say
is, that the chap Hemming is still
hanging about; he's staying at the Bell
at Stroan, and he's offered me five
pound not if I'll tell him what I told
you and I've refused. There"
And, fairly overwhelmed by the con-
temptation of his own greatness Of
soul, Jem slapped his chest and made
his eyes round.
Nell listened, with fear and repulsion
struggling in her breast. Should she
brave the man, with the knowledge
which she knew that he possessed, or
should she conquer her own loathing
and temporize? Miss Bostal had ad-
vised her to brave him; but then, Miss
Bostal did not know what she knew.
Nell shivered as the man came q step
toward her.
II don't understand you," she said at
last. what do you want?
Il want you to give me kiss" The
girl started and made a gesture Of alb
horrence. "Come," persisted Jem; "it
isn't much, considering, specially as
I could take one myself if 1 had a
mind"
And as he spoke he took another
step, threatening to fulfill this menace.
But Nell was too quick for him; she
was at. tie other side Of the table be.
fore the words were well out of his
mouth
Miss Bostal," she said, quietly, as if
his proposition had been unworthy Of
remark, advises me to let you make
what use of your information you
please. She says no one would believe
YOU"
"And do you think tltat?" he asked,
With an indescribably cunning leer.
The sudden anxiety which over
spread her face at the question showed
him his opportunity.
Look here" he went on, in tone
which was meant to be persuasive, but
which was to Nell repellant in its
coarse assumption Of familiarity, II
don't want to rush you into anything.
You know what have to sell, and you
know what the price is. If you don't
care to pay it, well, you know how
can pay myself in coin of the realm.
Now I'll give you till tomorrow night.
II you'll see me tomorrow, down at
your own garden-fence, where you'll
be quite safe, mind, for l mean quite
Jair and above board, and if you'll
NpeGk to me fair and be civil, III hold
my tongue, and wild horses nor all the
res in Lon'on shouldn't make me
seach: but if YOU don't choose to do
this, and it's a precious small thing
to make such fuss about, why, then,
I'll go off to Hemming and get the five
pounds, and you can guess what'll hap
pen, If you don't know
AS the man looked at her, with
bloOdshot, infamed eyes. enjoying in
anticipation the kiss which he felt
she was bound to give, Nell's heart
sank. He would not surely speak in
this tone to her, if the proofs of which
he had spoken were not very strong