Democratic messenger., 1902-08-30
tome of despa.r thar cnnorl negAn to

feel that he was IN intruder upon grief
so deep. If Nell is arrested"
He stopped.
For in the middle of his speech there
was Il knoc. at the front door. Miss
Theodore. Clifford noticed. drew her
self up in an attitude or rigid atten.
tion. There was dead silence in tha
little dining-r0om. until the KNOCK waJ
repeated loudr: than before.
Il shall 20 upstairs" said Miss Theo-
dora. softly. and see from III" win.
dow who it is. But if it is The police.
cone for my evidence. Will be put in
prison rather than give it,
She had scarcely uttered the words
when Il third knock was heard III the
front door Miss Bostal glided ont Of
the room and ran upstairs without an
other word
Then again there was pause. The
two men looked Il, each other hy the
light OF the lamp. which gave but 4
dim illumination through lis smoky
glass. In ;he old ColoIelS face Ciif-
ford became conscious that there was
written Il most pitiful history. the his
tory of lifelong shame. Of an indeli-
bic disgrace. Sill only cropping toward
the truth us he was. the young man
stood silent. reverent. wondering what
aViul hing lie WAS neSt 10 learn.
For the fourth time the knock. loud
or and more Imperative than before,
echoed through the house Then the
Colonel drew deep sigh ana went
slowly toward the door.
Il am sorry you are here" he said
with calm courtesy "Whaievcr er-
rand brings these people. and whoever
they are. You. being here. will he sub
jected 10 some annoying interrogato-
ries Perhaps there may still he time
for YOU To get out by the garden way
before have 10 let them in"
The old man was talking. it suddenly
occurred 10 Clifford. 10 ill up Ac time.
for he made no movement in the lirec-
tion OF the garden way of which he
spoke. but stood in IN attitude which
showed that he was listening intentiy.
'Hark, What was that" lie asked
abruptly.
Clifford had heard nothing. 4 doubt.
born of hope rather than fear. of the
Coloners complete sanity crossed his
mind.
Observation-Disclosures. went on the
old man. impatiently. as he ut last
moved. in shuiiling step. toward the
door. Il think l heard window
open"
shall so upstairs and sec:" asked
Clifford. WHAT ;:rc yo:i afraid off,"
My dau@nIer-is very determined.
She has made up her mind that she
will not - give evidence" answered
Colonel Bosta!. in shaking voice.
Yes. You can go up and see.
Clifford Went up the narrow stair
case. ana called gently:
Miss POSTAL
No answer. But he heard some one
moving about softly in the room on his
right. He went close to the door and
said. with his mouth So near 10 the
ieyi.ole that she could not fail TO hear
him:
Miss Theodora Your father has
sent me-
Then lie heard somcthing-a little.
weak cry. followed by silence He
drew back Il step. and he saw the Col
Onel standing al the bottom of the
stairs.
Shall 20 in:" Clifford asked.
The Colonel heSitatej.
is the door locked:" he asked
Clifford tried it and found that it
was.
Then come away" said Colonel Bos-
tai quickly.
At that moment there was thun
dering knock Il; the front door. which
threatened 10 split the old wood into
fragments. The Colonel walked slow
ly along the passage. and. with as
much delay us possible, drew the bolts
and opened the door.
Clifford. still on the upper floor.
knew that the voices were those of
the police sergeant and Of another con-
stable belonging 10 Stroan.
You've been long time opening
the door. sir began the sergeant.
dryly.
But the master Of the house had not
waited TO inquire his visitors busi-
ness: he had already rctreated into the
dining-room.
The two policemen held Il short and
hurried consultation in very low tones.
Then the sergeant entered the dining
room and reappeared quickly.
Hes all by himself. He takes it
quite quiet said he.
To be Continued.