Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-23
IOrcNCc W ar den,
lor OF {. The House on Inc Narah," etc.
lcOfsrih. go ID Robert BOnnes

4, NO. OF course il doesn't matter. for
mean you to look your own self
again Immediately. DO YOU know why
have come here. Ncll:'
I, Sine was silent
Il have come 10 marry YOU"
Neil shook her head. hut she drew n
! long sigh of satisfaction.
Il like to hear you say so. 1t is good
F! of you" she said. in n gentle. timid
!! voice. although ii is impossible"
Why"
''Oh. YOU don't want me 10 60 over
the old ground again. Can't YOU be
satisfied that ii is impossiblc:'
NO. / can't. unfortunately. My
darling. You can't hold out any longer.
II was dignificd to refuse before: now
il would only lac foolish. Who is go
inc 10 take care OF YOU now. Nell, il
Won won't have me-"
But lie had touched tender spot.
and she began tn cry softly.
Poor uncle sobbed she. 1T near
~ broke my heart when lie did not
know even me. Aud then when they
tock him away"
WAS he harmlcss:" asked Clifford.
intcrrupting.
Yes: lie was quite harmless. and
would let me manage him always.
And the police came and-and took
him away
The police? Do you mean that:"
"Yes. they have haunted lis both
ever since we left the Blue Lion"
whispered she. earnestly. And l
know they are trying to lind out the
mystery you know what - through
him. Isn't ii dreadful
Clifford did not answer ut once. 1t
seemed to him that the chances of his
being able To save the girl We're
growing small indeed. Her own ut
ter hopelessEess. her nervous dread,
had affected him during the short sill
ences between their questions and an
swers to each other: she seemed TO be
always listening. straining her ears
for any sound outside. The cry of 4
street urchin made her start. Il cart
passing quickly ut the corner of the
street sent the Hood 10 her forehead.
Her nerves. poor child were alto
gether shaken.
Clifford looked at her in dsmay.
Even the strong love which had stood
every test was apparently powerless
10 give her more than momentary
comfort.
MY darling" lie whispered. ''let
me take You up To town tonight. l
will take you straight TO your aunts.
and in the shortest time possible
will marry you. ana take you out of
England altogether"
Nell drew back and stared at him.
You don't understand. she said.
This case is really coming on now.
The police don't disguise that they
know enough TO go upon now. 1 have
the strongest reason. the very strong
st. for believing that they will come
Tor me to-day
ITO arrest you:'' cried Clifford,
hoarsely. She began 10 tremble and
10 look nj him askancc.
NO. rot 10 arrest me-" and she
shuddered. Then 4 look of terror.
more acute than ever. came into her
eyes. Perhaps that is it. Perhaps
that is really what they mean TO do"
she whispered doubtfully. "They said
! il was only my evidence they wanted.
but-but-'
she hesitated-stoppcd. Clifiord's
heart was wrung. surely no jury that
ever sat could convict this poor. help
less. gentle girl OF anything but I'M
CONSCIOUS crime. He would have
staked his life that she was as limo
GEM OF these mysterious crimes in in
ten, az he was himself OF them in
deed.
My darling.-my poor darling.- Of
course they only want your evidence"
Eut his own voice shook and his
eyes were dim. He tried 10 cheer her,
20 encourage her To say words which
,, BE- could hardly feel. but the girl
scarcely seemed to hear him. Sud
lenly. in the midst of his vain efforts
ut consolation. she stood up.
They are come" said she.
Clifford started UP. He had heard
nothing. But Ncll's patient ears
were keener than his. In another mo-
4 lt.Sul tEcTe WIS al KNOCK ut Iflc outer
| door. And then knock ut the door
! II the room. He looked round wild
| ". and. Selling her arm. would have
| had her hide herself behind the little
sofa. but she smiled sadly and shook
! her head.
Come in" she said
And as the girl had foretold with
uncanniiy correct prophecy. ser
! geant of police from Stroan. very
/ :iyil. very apologize and humane.
presented himself.
Very sorry. Miss. 10 have to in
rude said he. But must ask You
10 come along with me as far as.
Stroan. just 10 tell the magistratei
something thar will help us On a Bit
This is not IN arrcst: said Cliff
ford, trying to hide his anxiety.
NO. sir
Sui Nell's white face seemed to be-
tray the belief that ii was.