Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-07-25
blow, and finding Jem outside coolly

the broken door and into NelPs arms.
ooh, it is my fault-my fault!
ought not to have asked you to come"
moaned she, not attempting to hide
her affectionate concern from the PEG.
pie who, startled by the noise Of the
ARRAY, now pressed into the room.
George Claris was among the first
to enter, and he frowned angrily on
seeing Clifford. of whose arrival lie
had not yet heard.
$50 it's you, is it, Mr.. King" he ex-
claimed surlily, on recognizing the
man whom he looked upon as the orr.
gin of all his trouble. "And what have
you been up to now, eh?'
ooh, uncle, uncle, can't you see that
he's hurt, badly hurt" implored Nell.
"Send for a doctOr-oh. some one pray
60 for a doctor, or he will bleed to
deathp
But George Claris hardly concealed
the fact that that event would give
him satisfaction rather than annoy
ance; he did not dare to interfere,
however, when Nell gave orders to one
of the men who had crowded in, to go
to Stroan for q doctor.
"Who did it," somebody, not the
landlord, presently asked.
Clifford was by this time hardly con-
scious. He had been laid on the sofa,
while Nell herself, keeping enough
presence Of mind to be Of use and to
Sec what the danger was, held her own
fingers to the wound to check the flow
of blood.
She heard the question and an
swered it.
at was Jem Stickels. He struck
him through the glass"
This reply led to further investiga'
tiOns, and Jem was quickly dlscOv'
cred and brought into the room where
his victim lay. Unconscious though
he was, having been stunned severely.
Jem. of course, got no pity from Nell.
And when some of the men suggested
carrying him to the cottage where he
lodged, which was within a stones
throw of the inn, Nell made no sugges-
ton that he should remain where he
was, being unaifectedly glad to have
him taken out Of her sight.
Buxom Meg exchanged many nod
and wink and grin with the customers
from the bar, inspired by the utter abb
Nell showed in her lover and
his danger.
"All my fault-uIy fault" the girl
kept murmuring, as she hung over
Clifford, watching his face, which had
grown pale, with straining eyes, and
listening anxiously- to the breathing,
which told her that he was alive.
Then Meg became abruptly CON-
scious that there was something in
this simple grief, this maidenly affec-
ton. too sacred for the gaze Of the
rough, though sympathetic, group.
And she bundled them all, with large,
wide-sweeping gestures as Of gigan-
tic hen, back into the bar. And Nell
and her lover and her uncle were left
together.
George Claris, though he, too, was
somewhat touched, was uneasy and
"What was lie doing down here?"
ne began, inquisitorially, when they
we're left alone. "And what was he
I'D to that made Jem Stickels knife
him? No good, I'll be bound grum-
)led lie.
"He loves me. uncle. He has asked
he, weeks ago, to be his wife, but
hadn't even promised; no, not word.
)ut when he came to-day"
"Ah, what made him come tohay?
Nell hesitateG, and then confessed,
n low voice:
II sent for him"
George Claris mumbled his dissatis-
action.
"And what made Jem Stickels knife
lin? Come, now, 1 should have
bought you were above having any
hing to do with a chap like him.
Sut I've seen him loafng about more'n
Usual lately"
1T was not fault, Of course" said
yelI. simply. "And Of course he had
10 right toto" r-
"ro be jealous? So l should ha'
bought. Still, he was jealous, eh?
81 suppose So"
There was a short silence; then
George Claris spoke again:
"Well, lass, it's no use. talking to
cause they've got their own
vay O. doing things, whatever you say
o 'em. But you've brcw'd yourself a
eek O. trouble between them two
haps, and neither me nor anybody
nut yourself can help you out OF 1t.
m mind, I won't say I'll have this
hap turned out of the house, though
We q good mind to. But if the doc
Dr. SAYS he's to be laid up here, I'll not
ave YOU hangin' round. You'll just
o away sharp to my sister in London.
70 YOU hear? I'll have him properly
ursed. that I'll promise, but it'll not
C by you. Do you hear?'
Nell assented meekly. AS long as
,li(ford was not made to suffer sh"
cit that there was nothing for it but
D submit.
Uncle and niece exchanged no more
lords until the arrival of the doctor,
then George Claris told his niece to
ut on her hat and to go to Miss Bos-
,ps. where she was to remain until he
ent her luggage to her there, when
he was to start without delay for
.ondon.
To be Continued.
Earthquake Ia New York.
Malone N v (Soecia1) A distinct