Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-12
CHAPTER II.


much obliged to you
Clifford looked round. and saw pret-
ty Nell Claris standing eside tine two
boats which he had pui ed up on the
bank by her direction.
I'm afraid it must have given you
| n great deal of trouble. One of them
was nearly full of water. l know
why. yes. 1t wasn't toe easy TO get
them up. because the banl slopes. and
the earth is so Shiny just here. But
| I'm very glad TO have been able to do
| you the little service"
| 1T wasn't n little service: it was a
| great one" said Nell. with Il look
which Ci..-ofc felt to be intoxicating.
| At that moment he hearC Il sound
! like short. hooking laugh; and turn
| ing. he saw the fisherman. With Il face
| full of scornful amusement. punting
away slowly up stream toward Fleet
Castle. Clifford. though he felt little
uneasy. was glad the man haG gone.
Your friends have gone back to
Stroan." said Nell.who had blnshed
| little, on her size. when she heard the
| fisherman's contemptuoUs laugh.
| els that hint for me to follow their
example:''
"Oh. no. indeed. My uncle sai6. when
/ told him what you were doing for us.
f, that I was TO ask you to come in and
have cup of tea with us-if you
would condescend to accept IN invita-
ton from an innkeeper and his niece
| Nell smiled little as she added these
words: and the manner in which sha
uttered them showed so keen per-
| ception OF social distinctions that Cliff
ford was confirmed in his belief that
! this girl was riliculously out of her
| proper element in this wayside inn.
He followed her into tiny sitting
room at the back of the inn. where
| they were Joined by her uncle. bur
! ly. jovial man with round. red. hon
est face. who was evidently very fond
| of his niece. although every word each
uttered seemed TO emphasize the
strange difference in manners and
| speech which existed between them.
Proud to know you. sir sail
George C,aris. when Clifford held out
his hand Proud to know anybody
my Nell thinks worth knowing. She's
| mighty particular. is Nell. Lor'. what
wouldn't your friend. Mr.. Jordan
there. have given for an invite to tea
| in here like this, Eth. Nell:''
Nell blushed. and turned her uncle's
attention TO his tea. while Clifford. in
some surprise. enjoyed the knowledge
shat he had cut Jordan out without
even 4 struggle.
Nell herself explained this presently.
when her uncle had been called away
| by press of business in the bar. and the
| two young people were left sitting Ia.
Sefher. looking through the open glass
door into the garden behind the inn.
I'm afraid you will think | didn't
treat your friend very well. after set.
ting him to work 10 pitch that shed
for US" she said. with a pretty blush
| in her cheeks. as she looked down at
the table-cloth. and thus enabled Cliff
ford to see that her long. curled. gold
en-brown eyelashes Were the prcttiest
he had ever seen.
I'm afraid he will think So" said
| Clifford. with affected solemnity. II
think myself that. after such heavy
work as that. he did deserve cup OF
| tea"
Nell looked up in some distress. her
blue eyes brighter with excitement.
and her voice quite tremulous in its
earnestness.
| All. you don't know she said.
quickly. Il am not ungratefui. hui I
! am in very difficult position. and !
have 10 be careful how l treat people
Don't you know yourself that Il great
many men. gentlemen too-or they call
themselves so-think they have right
to treat girl who lives at an inn Glf
ferently from other girls: Surely you
must know that
Clifford grew red. conscious that the
girl had penetrated Il weak spot in
Willie'S social armor.
well, but"
'Oh. you needn't say but" inter
rupted Nell. You know il is true
Now l don't want 10 say anything
against your friend; he is very nice.
and very good-natured: but"
"You have to keep him in order.
said Clifford.
Yes. treat him just as I treat a
lot Of these young men who come out
from Stroan Just To idle about the
place: as | treated you. 10 bagin with.
And She gave him 4 pretty little shy
glance and smile. which set Clifford's
heart beating faster. II set them all
to work. Ii does them no harm. and II
daes my uncle Il great deal of good
Since I've been here" and she raised
her head triumphantly. hes been able
10 do without man to look after
things"
Clifford could not help laughing.
why. you're mascot; You bring
luck wherever you go" said he
Indeed. I like To think that ] have
brought 1t to Uncle George" said the
girl. at may tell you-for everybody
knows it-that just before came bach
TO him he was on the verge OF baDk
ruptcy. and now" and she shox al
Clifford a glance of triumph. "he has
bought another piece of land. and two
more cows. and enlarged the stables
and put money In the bank
What do you think of y
] why. think he :"