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

she faltered. turning her head away to
escape the gaze of the lustful eyes,
but keeping a sharp eye on his move
ments all the time.
She felt keen resentment against
Miss Theodora, who. in her amiable
| folly, had exposed her to this persecu-
ton. Luckily that lady herself ap.
peared few seconds later, and then
| Nell at once made the excuse Of going
to fetch the toa-things to get out of
| the room.
Once outside the door, however, she
ran through the passage to the back of
the house, slipped out into the garden,
| and ran home across the fields as fast
! as her fleet little feet could carry her.
"Since she likes his society so much,
she may enjoy tete-a-tcte with him'
| she said to herself, not without bit
ter feeling that her old friend and pro
| tcctress had betrayed her in her Gag
erness to reclaim the prodigal.
Before she reached the Blue Lion,
Nell had made up her mind what to
do. She felt that she must have some
| advice of n more solid. more worldly
kind than that of kindly, sentimental,
! narrow minded Miss Theodore. SO she
wrote little note, the first she had
ever sent him, to Clifford King, and
sent 1t by safe hand to Stroan to
catch the night mail.
Her note was very short, containing
as 1t did, only the following words:
Dear Mr.. King:
eff 1t would not be too inconvenicnt
to you to come down to Stroan to-mor-
row, / should be very glad OF the op-
portunity of asking your advice upon
n matter in which l do not dare trust
my own Judgment, and do not dare
to consult my uncle.
"With apologies for my audacity in
asking such Il great favor.
"Believc me. yours sincerely,
NELL CLARIS."
Then she passed sleeplcss night.
torturing herself by wondering what
Jem Stickcls would do. and whether
Clifford would come--tlis she did not
greatly doubt-and how she should tell
him If he came.
And on the following evening, just
when she had given up all hope of
seeing him, and just when the time
appointed by Jcm Stickcls for her
to meet him was approaching, she saw
| Clifford, from her seat by the open
door Of the sittlng-room, walk into the
! bar.
Nell sprang up with little cry, and
| Clifford, catching sight OF her, flushed
a deeper rcd tlan his walk had given
him. and going quickly through the
bar and along the passage, pushed
open the door of the little sitting-room.
and stood before her.
The girl had been so anxious for
his coming that all her little maidenly
arts Of affected surprise, of indilIcr.
ence, of reserve, were in allegiance; and
he saw before him the girl he loved.
with love confessed in her blue eyes.
For one moment he stood looking at
her, q little awe-struck, as lover
ought to be, at discovering how much
more beautiful she was than he re-
membercd her. Then, not unnaturally
taking her summons for just little
more than it was intended to be,
caught her in his arms, and pressing
her against his breast, covered her
face with kisses.
Nell uttered n little cry; she thought
It expressed CONSERVATION, alarm; but
Clifford read the sound differently,
and kissed her again.
"Oh, Mr.. Kingw painted the girl, as
soon as she could draw back her head
enough to speak, you don't under
stand. l seut for you to advise me,
that's all. /"
II quite understood" replied Cliff
ford, calmly, not letting her 60 very
far. "And am longing to put my pro
fessional knowledge ut your service.
But first"
He stopped short, arrested in the
middle Of his speech by Il violent start
OH the part of Nell, who was looking
with eyes full Of alarm ut the door
which led into the garden.
| The upper part of this door was of
| glass, and she had suddenly perceived
that face was pressed to the outer
side.
"Who is it?' asked Clifford, as soon
rs he saw what had arrested her Mt
tentioD.
And without waiting for an answer,
be sprang across the little room. 10
ward the glass door, Nell sprang ar
ter him, and clutched at his sleeve.
| "Never mind. Don't CO." she whis-
pered apprehensively. "It is only Jem
Stickels. Don't open the door,
But as Clifford stopped, under tho
pressure of her earnest entreaty the
sound Of hoarsely uttered curse
reached their ears; the face was quick
ly withdrawn, and the next moment,
with loud crash of broken glass,
Jem's fist came through the upper part
of the door, and struck Clifford full In
the chest.
Nell saw, even before the blow was
dealt, that there was an open knife
in the fisherman's hand. But, al
though she threw herself upon her
lover, trying to drag him back from
the danger. she was not In time. With
n howl of savage delight, Jem drew
back his knife, covered with blood.