Democratic messenger., 1902-05-24

since he had last seen her. There was
in her face sullen expression. as diff
ferent as possible from the childlike
Openness of face and manner which
had seemed to him her greatest charm.
And his heart smote him as he
thought that this change had been
brought about. though unintentionally
indeed. by him.
You are not glad to see me. can
see that" he went on. hurriedly. as he
turned and kept pace with her. "Ot
course. | had no right to expect that
you would be. but still | had hoped.
She made no answer.
You got my letters"
Yes" answered Nell. in Il tone III
which he was surprised 10 detect tre-
NOR.
You know thar | asked you TO let
me come down."
II did not write to say that You
might, though.
But her tone was not angry. he
thought.
well. did wait "a long rs | could.
but. Nell. | was too miserable TO wait
any longer. And now that | see you.
and see that you look changed. and
think that it is my fault. l feel as If
1 could hang myself
He hoped she would say something.
but she did not. After a few mo-
ments' silence he saw that tear was
falling down her cheek.
"Oh. my darling.' broke out Cliff
ford. unable TO restrain himself any
longer, won't you let me marry you
and take you away? You have known
me long enough now, haven't you:"
But Nell shook her head.
Il would never marry any one till
this affair of the robberies was cleared
up." ar swered She firmly.
'AnG can't you help us to find it
out:"
At this her face changed, She
looked up at him with an expression
of angry defiance.
THAT is what you came down for.
then-to see whether l could tell you
anything, and satisfy your curiosity
without your having the trouble of
sending any more detectives down.
she cried, uttering the words with
breathless rapidity, while her frame
shook from head to foot. NO. Mr..
King, I don't know anything. and II |
did I wouldn't tell you. You have be-
gun by prying into this business your
own way: you may finish it you own
way. too"'
Nell. surely you don't think 1 had
anything to do with that wretched
business. You can't think so-you
have come-to warn you that some one
else may be sent. Mind. don't know
this: only guess it. but thought il
right that you should know
But instead of seeming grateful for
the information, Nell evidently took il
as fresh offensc.
why should you warn me?" she
asked. and the pallor of her face gave
place suddenly to Il red blush OF an.
ger. us it that l may put check to
my larcenous propensities until he has
gone away again."
Nell. Nell. how. can you? You
would not if you knew how horribly
ii makes me suffer-
Suffer! All ii does matter when you
suffer, doesn't it? But when 1t is only
a country innkeeper's niece who sur.
| fers. who cares: And yet one would
have thought = on" would have
thought
She broke down completely and
burst into tears. Clifford was at least
as unhappy as she, and there was
moisture in his own eyes as he tried il
vain to comfort her. He did succeed
at last. however. in making her con
fess that she had never believed tha
he had any share in the sending from
town of the amateur detective. Jacl
Lowndes. AS for the fresh arriya
which Clifford told her TO expect sh,
shrugged her shoulders about it wheI
she had grown 4 little calmer.
Let them send him." she said, reck
lessly. Il shall not even advise my
uncle to refuse to let him stay. ever
IL guessed who he is. 1t must all b'
found out some day. and the harder
they try. the sooner it will all be over.
AS she was now quite calm ant
dry-eyed, Clifford made on: more at
! tempt to get at her own real views Of
the mystery. She had grown kindel
to him, and had acquitted him of al
blame. For her own sake he mus
make use of the opportunity.
And again when he put his question
there came into the girls face that Gu
rious look, as if vague haunting
memory had disturbed her mind.
Il tell you solemnly. have no more
idea than you have yourself sale
she. II will confess now that l had &
sort of horrible sort of half idea be
fore"
~ bo C1D.;r.oa . 49,