Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-06-07

you to do answered Nell. Indignantly.
You know very we'll that don't wish
to talk to you no@s,or at any other
time. but especially now
What do you mean by especially
now ell. Miss Fine-L Lady Peacock 2"
asked Jem. who had evidently been
drinking. although he knew wha. ne
was doing
But for answer the girl turned sud
denly and started to run back to the
inn. Jem. however, being prepared for
such attempt soon caught her. and
this time they We're too far away from
the detective 10 hear what they said
although he could distinguish the tones
of their respective voices
1t was evident that the very next
words uttered by Jem made a great
and terrible impression upon Nell
Her face. which had Ii first expressed
nothing but loathing and disgust. be-
came in moment rigid with horror,
as the young man. standing quite close
to her. and speaking in hOarse whis.
per- said something to her in an ex-
cited and earnest manner.
So anxious was the detective to learn
what it was which produced so strong
an effect upon the girl. that he crawled
from his hiding place to the ditch
which ran alongside the road. and
crept along. sometimes in the water.
and sometimes only in the mud. until
he was close enough to the two speak
ers to catch most of their words When
he stopped. the girl was refusing some
request OF the mans. with all the en-.
orgy OF loathing and detestation.
"Of course l Will not" she was say.
ing vchementiy. 'Of course. nobody
would believe you for moment. And
l don't suppose you would dare to tell
them TO anybody else. for fear OF be.
ing taken for lunatic''
Don't you: Oh. all right. then. :,
sneered lem. Il ma tell that Hem
ming then. that's been spying round
here lately. and that's put your uncle's
back up so by the questions he's been
asking. may tell him. eh. Miss"
The detective could not see the girls
face rs she answered. after 4 little
pause:
You may con:t up with me to Shin
gle End. and tell your story to the
colonel and Miss Theodore: that's
what you may do-if you dare"
There was another pause. and thu
detective knew. from the way in which
she had uttered these words. as well
as from the attitude in which she wait
ed for the fishcrman's answer. that she
was less defiant than her words. At
last the fisherman spoke again. And
II was clear thar the proposal was not
TO his taste.
Look here. Miss Nell said he. i'm
argum. ntative tone. do YOU really
dare me to do that: Come. you know
as shouldn't have dared to have spok.
on to you so open il hadn't got proof
positive. Now. come. should L? WHY.
your face told rs how you knowed I
knowed. and so what's the good of
Drawing me? And knowing what
know. isn't it plain | mean no harm,
when could easy earn pound or two
out of peachin' to the detective chap?
Come. now. you must see it. eh:"
Come and say it out. then. before
witnesses-I dare you to do it" re-
torted Nell. with n little more assur.
ance as she noted the mans reluct-
ance to take this step
NO. l shan't"' he replied sullenly.
Il shall 20 10 work my own way. And
/ say this: IL you choose 10 speak civil
TO me. don't ask for much more. and
TO ask me in 20 tea with you and your
uncle. just how you asked the young
swells rs we're down here three months
back. why. hold my tongue. and it'll
go no farther tnan you and me. But
Il you don't choose to do this
Il don't choose" retorted Nell quite
fiercely. II tell YOU the whole story
Is absurd. and that nobody would be-
:ieve you for 4 moment. and you can
tell it TO whom you please
And she suddenly spranS away from
lem. and gaining the road with rapid
steps. walked quickly in the direction
of Shingle End.
"All right" shouted Jem. threaten
ingiy. in steutorian tones. as he kept
pace with her. walking towards the
colonels house by the fields. rs she
went by the road. But if you'll take
my advice. you'll make Il clean breast
of it 10 your grand friends and see il
they don't say you'd best keep in with
me-
AS he shouted the last words. Jem
Stickels passed the spo. where the de.
tectivc was in hiding. Within a few
moments the latter took the opportuni.
ty of issuing from his uncomfortable
shelter and. following Jem at quick
pace. came UP with him before he
reached the fence which surrounded
the colonels garden.
rs that you. Stickels?" asked he. as
if he were not quite certain of his
man. Here | want to have q word
with YOU"
To be Continued. 6 b<--