The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-22
tone of despair that Clifford began to
feel that he was an intruder upon grief
eo dao,, uTf No11 10 arrostad-O

tone of despair that Clifford began to
feel that he was an intruder upon grief
80 deep. "If Nell is arrested"
He stopped.
For in the middle Of his speech there
was a knock ut the front door. Miss
Theodore, Clifford noticed, drew her.
self up in an attitude of rigid atten-
ton. There was dead silence in the
little dining-room, until the knock was
repeated louder than before.
II shall go upstairs" said Miss Theo-
dora, softly, land see from the win
dow who 1t is. But if it Is the police,
come for my evidence, I will be put in
| prison rather than give It,"
She had scarcely uttered the words
when third knock was heard at the
front door, Miss Bostal glided out of
the room and ran upstairs without an
other word.
Then again there was q pause. The
two men looked at each other by the
light Of the lamp, which gave but
dim illumination through it's smoky
glass. In the old Coloneps face Cliff
ford became conscious that there was
written most pitiful history, the his
tory of q lifelong shame, of an indeli-
bio disgrace. Still only cropping toward
the truth as be was, the young man
stood silent, reverent, wondering what
awful thing he was next to learn.
For the fourth time the knock, loud
er and more imperative than before,
echoed through the house. Then the
Colonel drew deep sigh and went
slowly toward the door.
"I am sorry you are here he said
with calm courtesy. "Whatever er-
rand brings these people, and whoever
| they are, you, being here, will be sub
| jected to some annoying interrogato-
ries. Perhaps there may still be time
for you to get out by the garden way
before have to let them in
The old man was talking, it suddenly
occurred to Clifford, to fill up the time,
for he made no movement in the direc-
tion of the garden way of which ne
| spoke, but stood in an attitude which
showed that he was listening lntently.
"Hark! What was that?" he asked
abruptly.
Clifford had heard nothing. A doubt,
born of hope rather than fear, OF the
Coloneps complete sanity crossed his
mind.
"Upstairs-upstairs" went on the
old man, impatiently, as he at last
moved, in shutting step, toward the
door. II think I heard a window
open."
Shall go upstairs and see?" asked
Clifford. What are you.a afraid OFF,
"My daughter-is very determined.
She has made up her mind-that she
will not give evidence" answered
Colonel Bostal, in a shaking voice.
"Yes, you can 60 up and see."
Clifford went up the narrow STAIR
case, and called gently:
"Miss Bostal!'
No answer. But he heard some one
moving about softly in the room on his
right. He went close to the door and
said, with his mouth so near to the
keyhole that she could not fail to hear
him:
Miss Theodore! Your father has
sent me-"
Then he heard something-a little,
weak cry, followed by silence. He
drew back a step, and he saw the Col
onel standing at the bottom OF the
stairs.
"Shall I 90 in?" Clifford asked.
The Colonel hesitated.
"Is the door locked?" he asked.
Clifford tried it and found that 1t
was.
"Then come away" said Colonel Bos-
tai quickly.
At that moment there was thun-
dering knock at the front door, which
threatened to split the old wood into
fragments. The Colonel walked slow
ly along the passage, and, with as
much delay as possible, drew the bolts
and opened the door.
Clifford, still on the upper floor,
knew that the voices were those OF
the police sergeant and of another con-
stable belonging to Stroan.
you've been a long time opening
the door, sir" began the sergeant,
dryly.
But the master of the house had not
waited to inquire his visitors busi-
ness; he had already retreated into the
dining-room. -
The two policemen held short and
hurried consultation in very low tones.
Then the sergeant entered the dining
room and reappeared quickly.
Hes all by himself. He takes 1t
quite quiet" said he.
To be Continued.