Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-02


for several days, boasted openly in the
bar of his luck. showed the results OF
il in lavish treating" and in the APP
parentiy careless exhibition OF hand.
fuls of gold
But it was all in vain. Ecmminc
had to report to Clifford. not without
secret triumph. that the wealthy emf.
grant" had been allowed. after pro.
lon=ed stay. to leave the inn without
having received Il visit from the mid
night thief Clifford was much chas-
rined. although he affected 10 think
that it was only in common prudence
that the thief. on whom at least the
suspicion of murder now hung. had
grown more careful.
Bat when Hemminc had left him.
Clifford began 10 think ont new
problem which this last occurrence
had presented to him. Was Jcm Stick.
els the chief?
But then it was certainly nor Jem
StickelS whose hand he had caught
under his pillow. And shivcr passed
through the young fellows frame as
lie remembered the touch of the
smooth skin. Of the little slender fin
gers.
1t was not until the first day OF
March, on clustering, stormy morn.
ing. that Nell Claris. her resolution
broken down by n pathetic appeal
from her uncle. came back TO Stroan.
George Claris met his niece Mt the
station. and each was shocked at the
changed appearance of the other Nell
seemed to have lost half her beauty;
her cheeks had lost their roundness
which had been one of her greatest
charms.
"Oh. uncle. she cried softly. when
she mad received his silent kiss on her
forehead. you don't look the same
uncle! What have you been doing to
YOURSELF"
'Oh. we've been pottering along
much in the same old way" answered
the innkeeper. affecting an Indifference
which he was far from feeling
"Nothing's happened in particular.
since Mr.. King went back TO London.
He wanted your address, as | told
you in my letters. Why wouldn't you
let me give it TO him."
Uncle. I like him too much an
swered the girl. steadily. If it had
been in the old time. now. he should
have had it quickly enough. But I'M
til this miserable business. that's been
the ruin of everything to MS all. is
cleared uo. Ill not let any man care
nj in u i.,.c In,
Disgrace. Nell." echoed George Cla-
ris in low voice. Don't say that.
child. don't say that"
IN this tone the girl detected all the
emotions which the story and the ru-
mors about it had set stirring in her
uncle's simple mind. She felt keenly
the affection. the doubt. the anger.
long weeks of the winter. She gave
a sigh, and tucking her hand under
his arm. whispered:
We won't say disgrace, then. but
MISFORTUNE
Aye. that's bette: dear agreed the
poor fellow mournfuily
Al that moment they emerged from
the shelter afforded Ey the trees of
:'tgoan Court. the mansion which stood
just outside of the walls OF the old
town. They We're within sight Of the
spot where The body OF lem Stickels
had been discovered: but any emotions
they might have felt at the recollec-
ton We're overpowered by Il sense of
actual physical danger. For the wind.
x,.a i..ia hn1 hi 81
morning, was now so strong that they
were afraid that the dog-cart would
be blown over: while 1T the same time
a binding snowfall made 1t almost
impossible for them to discern the road
4 yard in front of the horses head.
1T blows straight on the Shore
said George Claris. It'll be lucky
thing if none of the ships in the chan
mel get drove out OF their course to-
night
Nell shuddered. Living as she did by
the SeaShore. she was accustomed to
storms and the horrors attendant up-
on them to the ships at sea. Every
gale brought disaster: and although,
the inn being on the shore of Il bay,
most of the accidents of which Nell
heard happened some few miles away,
yet she and her uncle were always
among the first to hear of them. from
the lips of the frequenters of the inn.
Both Nell and her uncle thought it
prudent to finish their short journey on
foot. leading the horse, and finding
their way with some difficulty through
the snow storm.
To be Continued.