Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-08-14

HulluS away anu uIlcu HeI cytS'
"Now, Nell, do you feel better?"
asked Clifford, as faint smile began
to hover on the girls face.
"Ycs, do, much better" answered
she in more sclf-possessed tone.
"Now I can tell you something. My
uncle. thinks I-I-did it."
"Shot Jem Stckels?"
"Yes."
"Well, what on earth is he to think!
1t is Just what should have thought
myself if"
"If what?'
"If l hadn't happened to be in love
with YOU"
Nell stared.
'You don't mean that, really?'
"Ycs, but I do, though. Look here;
got the nurse to pay someone to 60 to
the inquest and report to me. He did.
when the Jury adjourned FOR luncheon.
And now I've Just heard Of your evi.
dcnce and the verdict, and I don't see
how anybody, except me, could fail to
suspect you. Yes, YOU
Nell, who had been very white, grew
crimson as she looked at him.
"You mean-that you suspect me,
too: You think me capable Of
mo, child, of course not. But l
think YOU gave your evidence very
badly, and that you therefore can't ex-
pect to be piticd. Now tell me why
YOU didn't want to come and see meT'
Nell silently hung her head.
"Was 1t because you didn't care II
YOU never saw me againT'
Up went the face, radiant with pas
sionate denial.
"Woll, was 1t because you knew
should ask you some questions?
Down went the face again.
"What was 1t you wanted to see me
about when you sent for me to come
down from town to see you?"
She looked up at him with fac full
of terror.
"Ah. that's It," she whispered hur.
riedly. THAT is why didn't want to
see you. knew you would want TO
know that. And now-I cannot tell
you"
"Why not?"
"Yesterday." went on Nell. her voico
getting lower. II was going to ask
your advice; for it was only case or
theft. To-day dare not. for 1t Is now
a question of-murder"
"You know something, Ncll.'
81 don't. l wish did. Butt sus.
pcct And l dare not whisper my sus-
piclon even to you, until l have felt my
way to a little more knowledge. Now
will you be content with that, and not
want to make me speak when would
rather be silent"
Clifford hesitated.
"Wouldn't you trust me to be silens
tooT
Nell began to look perplcXed and
miserable, drawn this way and that
by conflicting feelings Of love and
duty. Clifford saw how keen the strug-
gle was, and like a generous fellow, cut
it short for her.
"All right, Nell you shall keep your
secret. Only mind this: must be the
first to know 1t. Will you promise me
that"
"Yes, oh, yes, and thank you with
all my heart"
The weight of care sprang up from
of the girls heart at one bound. Ihe
entire trust which Clifford showed III
her was lust the balm her wounded
soul needed, and the hour the nurse
allowed her to spend by her lovers
bedside. although it was passed almost
in silence after this explanation, was
one of happiness and relief SO deep
thot she went out to face the world
and her uncle's suspicion with fresh
courage.
C,ifTord's wound had proved more
serious than was at first supposed.
There was risk Of Inflammation, and
tho doctors ordered that he was to be
kept very quiet. When, therefore. tha'
same evening, Hemming called at the
inn. and asked to see Mr.. klng, ne
would have been denied altogether II
clifford himself had not heard the In
ouiry and recognizing the voice, In
sisted on seeing the detectiye.
"Wcll, and what do you want WIN
mcp, asked Clifford, with interest, as
uemming was shown into bis tiny
room.
"Well. sir, I hear you've seen Miss
Claris since the inquest" was the de-
tective's abrupt opening.
"Yes. Well?"
"Well, sir, things look about as black
for her as they well can"
And he gave the young man a
shrewd look MS he pronounced TINS
statement. Clifford said nothing, and
Hemming went on:
"KnowIng how you were-were a
friend of the young lady, sir, I thought
it only right you should know as l am
downright certain who was at the
bottom both of the murder and the
robbery; and I'm only waiting to make
the chain of proof a little stronger be.
fore making an arrest"
"Of whom?"
81 leave you to guess, sir. may tell
you I've found the pistoP-Cliford
started-"and the bullet fits 1t exact.
ly."
"Do you want to put any more ques.
tions to Miss Claris?" asked Clifford,
imlSrturbably.
"Well, the young lady seemed so I'M
willing-But, of course, IL you think
she wouldn't mind-after all, it's only
rehearsal like, and I dare say she
knows that"
To be Continued.