Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-05-01
CHAPTER II.

I'm so mucn ODllgeu " you' eo '.''
much obliged to you."
Clifford looked round. and saw pret-
ty Nell Claris standing beside the TWO
boats which he had pulled up on the
bank by her direction.
I'm afraid it must have given you
n great deal of trouble. One of them
was nearly full of water. know
why, yes, it wasn't too easy to get
them up. because the bank slopes, anu
the earth is so Shiny just here But
I'm very glad to have been able to 90
you the little service
ut wasn't little service; it was
great one" said Nell. with look
Which CrTord felt to be intoxicating.
At that moment he heard SOUND
like n short, mocking laugh; and turn
ing he saw the fisherman. with race
full of scornful amusement. punting
away slowly up stream toward fieet
Castle. Clifford. though he felt iittic
uneasy, was glad the man had gone.
Your friends have gone back TO
Stroan," said Nell,who had blushed
LITTLE. on her side. when she heard the
lisherman's contemptuous laugh.
"Is that a hint for me to follow their
example?'
"Oh, no. indeed. My uncle said, when
/ told him what you were doing Tor us,
that l was to ask you to come III anu
have cup of tea with us-if you
would condescend to accept an invita-
ton from an innkeeper and his nieccE
Nell smiled little as she added these
words; and the manner in which she
uttered them showed so keen n per-
ception of social distinctions that Cllf-
ford was confirmed in his belief that
this girl was ridiculously out or her
proper element in this wayside inn.
He followed her into a tiny situng
room at the back Of the inn. where
they were joined by her uncle. bur-
". iovial man with round. red, hon
est face, who was evidently very fond
of his niece. although every word each
uttered seemed to emphasize the
strange difference in manners anu
speech which existed between them.
Proud to know you, sir" said
George Claris. when Clifford held out
his hand. Proud to know anybody
my Nell thinks worth knowing. She's
mighty particular. is Nell. Lor'. what
wouldn't your friend. Mr.. jordan
there, have given for an invite to tea
in here like this! Eh. Nell?'
Nell blushed, and turned her uncle's
attention to his tea, while Clifford. III
some surprise, enjoyed the knowledge
that he had cut Jordan out without
even n struggle.
Nell herself explained this presently,
when her uncle had been called away
| by press of business in the bar. and the
two young people were left sitting to-
gether, looking through the open glass
door into the garden behind the inn.
"Tm afraid you will think l didn't
treat your friend very we'll, after set
ting him to work to pitch that shed
for u.s." she said, with pretty blush
in her cheeks. as she looked down al
the tab,e-cloth, and thus enabled Cllf
ford to see that her long, curled, gold
en-hrown eyelashes were the pretties
he had ever seen.
"You have to keep him ia order
said Clifford.
"Yes. l treat him just as l treat Q
lot of these young men who come ou'
from Stroan Just to idle about the
place; as treated you. to begin with
Ard she gave him pretty little shy
glance and smile, which set Clifford''
heart beating faster. II set them al
to work. 1t does them no harm. and j
does my uncle great deal Of good
Since I've been here" and she raised
her head triumphantly, "he's been abl'
10 do without a man to look aftel
things"
Clifford could not help laughing.
"Why, you're a mascot; you bring
luck wherever you co." said he.
Indeed. like to think that hav'
brought it to Uncle George" said th'
girl. II may tell you-for everybod!
knows it-that just before l came bacl
to him lie was on the verge Of bank
ruptcy, and now." and she shot a
Clifford a glance of triumph. "he ha
bought another piece Of land, and tw'
more cows. and enlarged the stables
and put money In the bank besides
What do you think Of that?'
"'Why, think he Is very lucky ma