Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-23
CHAPTER NIN.
Continued.

Continued.
$50. you've been a-visiting. have
you sir:" she said. in deep. sruff
whisper. CHANGING up at the gloomy
windows of Shinelc End. AYE. they
want a few lively folk to come and
see EN- and cheer EN- up. for sure
And she gave him a series of mods
and shakes of the head. MI of which
were meant 10 carry wcighty mean
Ing.
4 We'll. this isn't the best place in the
world Cor people who are fond of
COMPANY is it, said Clifford. Il
dare say you feel lonely yourself
sometimes. don't you:'
Well. | get some | don't expect
sometimes. sir" she answered, with
mystery. Two nights ago. now, |
had a young lady in 'cre-a young
lady Won may know. sir. who was very
much talked about last year. poor
dear
ClilTord'S sudden start into vivid in
terest made her break off and look nj
him atteniivcly. She smiled knCv-
ihgly
Maybe you know who mean. sir?r
"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 felt
for her | 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 Clarls. gave n sigh. and again
found relief in her feelings in n shake
II the head.
Where is she nov? DO you knows"
asked Clifford. no longer Disgusting
his interest. IF it's secret" he
went on. as the ED lady said nothing.
Il think You will not do wron" in con-
filling it 10 me. rs | wish her all the
good in the world
IT'S well there's some rs do. sir"
said she. with suddenly lowered
voice. And don't know rs I'm do
ing harm in telling You she is staying
at Courtstairs. up Paradise Hill.
No. II. Aud You can tell her if you
see her rs 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 nj once TO give
her message.
by the bye" he said. inst rs he
was about 10 start off in The direction
of Courtstairs. ARE you 1T liberty To
tell me what she was doing here? Was
She visiting the Bostals:"
'Nou mustn't as!; me any more"
she said. There's Things one mustn't
so much as guess at" she added.
systematically. as she retreated to her
own doorway.
Clifford did not trouble his head
a5oG, these hints. II was enough for
him that Nell was now within his
re3ci. And he set off for Courtstairs
with Il set purpose in his mind
The walk along the straight marsh
road. with the wind in his face. and
the SEA a misty blue line on his right
hand. seemed ncve:-ending Clifford
had 10 eyes for the effect of sunset
ON the chalk cliff 10 his right, for the
picturesque little farm perched up
high above the waters edge as he
drew near 10 Beach Bay
Past the Shooters Arms. the way
side inn which hardy forms The limit
e of the explorations of the devasta-
ting horGes from tie 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 its pie
turesque. steep miniature street. and
its h;deouS Convalescent Home and
waste of brand-ncw tea-gardea. Up
on the Beach road. in full sight OF the
Sea and Of the fishing ilect coming in
upon the breast OF the tide. Clifford
saw nothing. thought of nothing but
how to save Il yard. Il minute. so that
he might lose no time in reaching his
darling
lie had TO inquire for Paradise Ill.,
which proved To be one OF the innum-
cradle back streets of mean houses of
which the town chiefly consists. lie
fourd No. ~ easily enough. |, was
one OF q row of small. yellow brick
houses. with haywindows on the
ground loor. which would formerly
have been called cottages. but which.
since the School Board brought in
pretansiOn. have become villas"
Clifford's heart sank little rs he
asked Tor Miss Ciaris.' This stuffy
little dwelling. after the fresh air of
the rambling inn by the shore. must
= be Il torture 10 the girl
The woman who opened The door
locked at him Sulkly.
I'll see il she's in" She said. as if
The proAered service was a great con-
descensiOn.
And then she disappeared into the
front room. When she came ont
again she was followed Icy Nell her
Eelf
Or was Il Nell: This shin-faced.
white girl. with thc dull. frightened
eyes? For the first moment Clifford
was hardly sure.
But she started violently. and the