Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-09


Continued.
1t was about eight o'clock that night
when .hey learned that schooner had
gone ashore in the bay itself. within
a mile of the inn. She had lost her
steering-gear in the storm. and the
y zee ofSthe wind had driven her upon
sands AT the edge of the marsh. Ii
IS high tide when the disaster hap.
ned. but it was thought that the
lip was in no danger OF breaking up.
ID that her crew would all be got off
safety as the tide went down. The
eboat from Courtstairs was already
its way 10 the wrecked vessel when
e news came to the inn.
Srhrough the snow. which the wind
blew straight into their faces. Nell
and half dozen OF her neighbors
made their way across the marsh. the
men carrying ropes and lanterns and
the women restoratives for the half
frozen crew. Ii was long and
weary mile. The ground was hard
with frost. the snowdrifts were al
ready getting deep: the flares set burn
sns from time to time by the crew of
the wrecked ship fiickered uncannily
in the darkness whenever the snow
ceased for short time.
But the journey was not n fruitless
one. The men of the party. seafarers
themselves for the mosi part. and all
ised 10 the sea. succeeded. up TO their
waists in water. in launching Il boat
and bringing the crew safely 10 land.
The men We're 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 n host Of willing hands.
Every creature in the neighborhood
I'd heard. by this time. of the un
ustal event OF 4 ship wrecked IN their
own bay. and il was through quite q
large crowd that the sailors made
their way into the little Blue Lion.
Even Mrs. Lansdowne. the wife of
the most prominent country gentle.
han Of the neishborhood. had heard
ebf the aew excitement. and had driven
over. having picked up the colonel and
Miss Bostal on me- 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 Claris's hands.
for the benefit of the men. sum of
money which al once became the start.
ing point OF collection. TO which most
OF the crowd contributed something.
Even the colonel whose poverty was
\ proverbial. gave shilling. although
his daughter watched his hand with
anxious eyes as be volunteered the
'oin. Altogether between FIVE and six
ounds was collected: and George
laris tied the money up IN q canvas
lg. and locked il UP in the till be-
nd the bar. There were whispers i'm
NE crowd that George Claris's house
was not the safest place In the world
to keep money in. but even the wins.
perers had no doubt of the honesty of
Claris himself. while many were even
glad OF the opportunity of showing
their confidence IN a man who had I'm.
doubtedly been for some time under
4 clouo.
IL was Nell. however. who watched
this proceeding with the deepest anx.
iety. Her agitation was so evident.
rs she stood Just within the doorway
which led from the bar TO the back of
the inn, staring II her uncle. that one
Or two of tie crowd looked ut each
other significantly. Suddenly the girl
took few rapid steps forward and
touched the innkeeper's arm.
< Uncle" said She in low voice.
Uncle George. wouldn't it be better
20 send We money into Stroan by
She 46lced at the men who were
erGwding in. and noticed one of the
ldesmen of the town. by Mr. Para.
r:-
Ter uncle frowned. and Mr. Para.
shook his head. with the kindly
sntion of showing George Claris
his friends were on his side.
No. no. Miss Claris. leave it where
S. where it'll be ready to hand"
he
IS Nell drew back. without a word.
with curious look of constraint
"a trouble on her face. n little figure
r-l'BN"ANN 81 tAt NoOi. III DTlIu
tones Miss Bostal. whom no emergency
, could induce TO step over the thresh-
hO,d of an inn. called 10 her:
Nell Nell. come out here. and speak
80 me-
Nell looked at her. hesitated. and
I-or tine point of disappearing into
the interior of the house. when Meg,
who was passing toYards the bar-par-
Tor. with tray full of hot drinks. Off
ciousiy dragged her forward with one
,strong hand. while she carefully bal
aD-ed the glasses on the cray with the
tier
LIS Miss Theodore. don't you see
Hiss Nell:" said she in a loud whis-
err
And Nell. unable now to pretend that
she never heard nor saw. went out in
TO the road.
why. Nell. how is this? Is this the
way you treat your old friends?
'idn't even know you were back again.
nd l haven't heard word from you
2 all these weeks and weeks. What
IS ii mean. my dear? Now tell me
at it means? | am afraid you are
happy. | am afraid you bear me
ee about-Mr. King
was cold. shy. awkward. n diff