The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-01
CHAPTER XVIII.
Continued.


CHAPTER XVIII.
Continued.
was about eight o'clock that night
In they learned that schooner had
ce ashore in the bay itself, within
nile of the inn. She had lost her
ering-gear in the storm, and the
Ice of the wind had driven her upon
sands at the edge Of the marsh. 1t
las high tide when the disaster hap
ned but it was thought that the
lip was in no danger Of breaking up,
T. I'D that her crew would all be got or
safety as the tide went down. The
fe-boat from Courtstairs was already
b it's way to the wrecked vessel when
he news came to the inn.
Through the snow, which the wind
lew straight into their faces, Nell
nd half a dozen of her neighbors
made their way across the marsh, the
men carrying ropes and lanterns and
the women restoratives for the half
1 frozen crew. 1t was long and
weary mile. The ground was hard
with frost, the snowdrifts were al
ready getting deep; the flares set burn
Ing from time to time by the crew Of
the wrecked ship f1ickered uncannily
in the darkness whenever the snow
ceased for short time.
But the journey was not a fruitless
one. The men Of the party, seafarers
themselves for the most part, and all
used to the sea, succeeded, up to their
waists in water, in launching boat
and bringing the crew safely to land.
The men were so benumbed by the
cold that they had to be helped along
as they limped and stumbled over the
snow to the inn. There, however, they
We're soon restored through the kind
ly Offices of q host Of willing hands.
Every creature in the neighborhood
had heard, by this time, of the un-
usual event of ship wrecked III their
own bay, and it was through quite a
large crowd that the sailors made
their way into the little Blue Lion.
Even Mrs. Lansdowne, the wife Of
the most prominent country gentle
man Of the neighborhood, had heard
of the new excitement, and had driven
over, having picked up the colonel and
Miss Bostal on her way. On hearing
that there was little hope Of saving
the schooner, and that in any case the
sailors would lose their kit, Mrs. Lans-
downe put into George Clariss hands,
for the benefit Of the men, q sum Of
money which at once became the start
ing point Of collection, to which most
of the crowd contributed something.
Even the colonel, whose poverty was
proverbial, gave a shilling, although
his daughter watched his hand with
anxious eyes as he volunteered the
coin. Altogether between five aud six
pounds was collected; and George
Claris tied the money up in a canvas
bag. and locked it up in the till be-
hind the bar. There were whispers in
the crowd that George Clariss house
WIS not the safest place in the world
to keep money in. but even the whis-
perers had no doubt Of the honesty Of
Claris himself, while many were even
glad of the opportunity of showing
their confidence in man who had un-
doubtedly been for some time under
q cloud.
It was Nell, however, who watched
this proceeding with the deepest anX-
iety. Her agitation was so evident,
MS she stood just within the doorway
which led from the bar to the back Of
: the inn, staring at her uncle, that one
or two Of the crowd looked at each
other significantly. Suddenly the girl
took a few rapid steps forward and
touched the innkeeper's arm.
z "Uncle," said she, in a low voice,
( "Uncle George, wouldn't it be better
to send the money into Stroan by
She glanced at the men who We're
I. crowding in, and noticed one of the
tradesmen of the town, "by Mr.. Para
mor?"
Her uncle frowned, and Mr.. Para
NOR shook his head, with the kindly
intention of showing George Claris
that his friends were on his side.
mo, no, Miss Claris, leave it where
it is, where it'll be ready to hand"
said he
AS Nell drew back, without a word,
but with a curious look of constraint
and trouble on her face, little figure
appeared at the door, and in her prim
tones Miss Bostal, whom no emergency
could induce to step over the thresh-
hold OF an inn, called to her:
%"Nell, Nell. come out here, and speak
to me.''
Nell looked at her, hesitated, and
was on the point Of disappearing into
the interior of the house, when Meg
who was passing towards the bar-par.
lor, with tray full Of hot drinks. Off,
ciously dragged her forward with one
strong hand, while she carefully hal
anced the glasses on the tray with the
~. gaeodora, don't you see
= i loud whis