Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-10

llS VI ulHLlIcsS, tHS IcSutl VI hIb
wound Clifford staggered back against
the broken door and into Nell's arms.
"Oh, 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 peo.
pie who, startled by the noise of the
affray, now pressed into the room.
George Claris was among the first
to enter, and he frowned angrlly on
seeing Clifford. of whose arrival lie
had not yet heard.
80 it's you, is 1t, Mr.. King" lie eX-
claimed surlily, on recognizing the
man whom he looked upon as the ori.
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
20 for doctor, or he will bleed to
death"
But George Claris hardly concealed
the fact that that event would give
him satisfaction rather than annoy
ancc; he did not dare to interfere.
however. when Nell gave orders to one
of the men who had crowded in, to so
to Stroan for doctor.
"Who did it," somebody. not the
landlord, presently asked.
Clifford was by this time hardly con.
scious. He had bccn laid on the sofa,
while Nell herself, keeping enough
presence of mind to be of use and to
see what the danger was, held her own
fingers TO the wound to check the flow
of blood.
She heard the question and an
swcred 1t.
ut was Jtm Stickcls. He struck
him through the glass
This reply led to further investiga
tions, and Jcm WAS quickly discov'
cred and brought into the room where
his victim lay. Unconscious though
he was, having been stunned severely.
Jcm. of course. got 10 pity from Nell.
And when some OF the men suggested
carrying him to the cottage where he
LODGED. which was within stones
throw of the inn. Nell made no sugGes-
ton that he should remain where he
was, being unalfectedly glad to have
him taken ont of her sight.
Buxom Meg exchanged many nod
and wink and grin with the customers
from the bar inspired by the utter alb
sorptlon Nell showed in her lover and
his danger.
"All my fault-my fault!' the girl
kept murmuring, as she hung over
Clifford, watching his face, which had
grown pale. with straining eyes, ana
listening anxiously TO the breathing.
which told her that he was alive.
Then Meg became abruptly con-
Scous that there was something III
this simple grief, this maidenly atfec'
ton. too sacred for the gaze OF the
rough, though sympathetic, group.
And she bundled them all. with large.
widc-swecping 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
suspicious.
"What was he doing down here"
he began, inquisitorially, when they
were left alone. "And what was he
M to that made Jem Stickels knife
him? No good, III be bound" grum-
blcd he.
"IIe loves me. uncle He has asked
mo. weeks ago to be his wife, but
hadn't even promised no, not word.
but when he came to-day"
"Ah, what made him come to-day|
Nell hcsltateG, and then confessed.
in low voice:
II sent for him."
George Claris mumblcd his dissatis-
faction.
And what made Jem Stickels knife
him? Come, now, I should have
thought you were above having any
thing to do with chap like him.
But I've seen him loating about more'n
usual lately"
ut was not fault, OF course said
Nell, simply. "And Of course he had
no right toto"
"To be jealous? SO l should ha
thought. Still, he was jealous, eh?'
II suppose So"
There was q short silence; then
George Claris spoke again:
"Well, lass, It's no use talking 10
women, cause they've got their own
way O doing things. whatever you say
to 'em. But you've brcw'd yourself
neck O. trouble between them two
chaps, and neither me nor anybody
but yourself can help you out OF 1t.
An mind, | won't say I'll have this
chap turned out Of the house. though
I'VE n good mind to. But If the doc
tor says he's to be laid up here. I'll not
have you hansin' round. You'll just
80 away sharp to my sister In London.
DO you hear? Ill have him properly
nursed. that I'll promise, but It'll not
bc by you. Do you hear?'
Nell assented meekly. AS long as
Clifford was not made to suffer sh"
felt that there was nothing for 1t Dut
to submit.
Uncle and niece exchanged no more
words until the arrival of the doctor.
when George Claris told his niece to
put on her hat and to 60 to Miss Bos'
tails. where she was to remain until he
sent her luggage to her there, when
she was to start without delay FOR
London.
To be Continued.
When a man orders spring lamb In
~ ohooD hn hopfnc IN ron m