Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-09-06
CHAPTER MI.
Continued

moved aDout-nearu Inc noise or the
piledup furniture being displaced.
And then. Il momen; later. one of the
policeman ran up the stairs and
passed Clifford rs the latter hastily
came down.
As he reached the foot of the stair
case Clifford. whom the man had sa-
luted in silence. heard sharp rap at
the door of the closed room. Then the
policeman who was upstairs called
quickly TO his companion downstairs:
bib. go outside and wait under the
window. This side of the house
quickr'
TLt police sergeant dashed ont by
the front door without 4 seconds de
lay. while the man who had given the
direction burst open the bedroom door
with couple of blows of his trunch-
son. Clifford. in perplexity and alarm.
rushed out after the sergeant. He ar
rived nearly rs soon as the man he
was following. whom he found CROP
ing among the evergreen bushes
which grew thicily under the wall of
the old house.
\ succession of feeble means. rs of
weak creature in great agony. broke
upon his ear as he turned the corner of
the house.
And ut the same moment lie saw the
constable who had burst open the bed
room door leaning out of the window
OF Miss Theodora's room.
What? She has not fallen-thrown
But even as he spoke the sergeant
pared the bushes with his arms. and
turning the full light of the lantern he
carried upon the ground beneath them
showed the little figure of poor Miss
Theodora lying in a shapeless heap.
''Oh. don't, Don't touch Ele.'' she
whispered family. as she felt the
strong light thrown on her face.
'Don't touch me. My leg is broken
lnd--something here
Her right hand moved feebiy up to
her chest. and then her head fell back.
She's tainted said Clifford. Poor
little woman. What shall we do:
Shall fetch 4 doctor!'
NO. sir; leave thai to me to do that"
replied the police sergeant. promptly.
''You stay here while send for help.
There's some one close by will go for
the
He went away quickly. leaving his
lantern. Clifford looked down at the
little withered face. and he fancied he
detected : Kicker of the eyelids. AS
he bent his head 10 look closer. he was
i surprised by her faint whisper in his
ear.
Il am glad. so glad" she murmured.
Ill without opening her eyes, that
is has happened. For now they can
make me give evidence against
30. Nell
My dear lady" said Clifford. in the
same voice. pray don't trouble your
head about that now. Nell will be all
right. ! am sure of it,
The policeman in The room above,
bearing the voices. looked out.
Has she comc to-" hc asked.
:'Ye-es. answered Clifford. doubt
fully.
For again sh: lay with immoyable
ips.~ But rs he spoke IN expression
If intense agony came over the
binched, thin feature. and he saw that
With the return of full consciousness
,ad com" also the full sepsitiyeness
D pain.
Go down and ask the Colonel for
ono brandy" called out Clifford.
But The constable did not seem to
tear. He still stood 4. the window
boxing down.
Clifford repeated his words. and the
lan, with evident reluctance. moved
rom the window. Miss Bostal glanced
n and turned llei head with 4 quick.
ird-liSc motion 10 Clifford.
Are any oil the policemen still
Jout:' she asked. rapidly.
Clifford was about to answer in the
egatiYe when the constable whom he
al SEM for the brandy having deliv-
ted his message with astonishing Gel
Aappeared ~ the corner of the
serc lie comes with the brandy"
~. Clifford.
But Hiss Bostafs expression of pain
gave place al once TO one of disgust.
Brandy" she exclaimed. Il would
touch it on any account. l have
n teefotaller all my life"
or sudden burst OF energy rather
lnccrted Clifford. who was much
Jed when he saw that the Colonel
close behind the constable. The
IAN came very slowly to the place
his daughter lay. and peered
he bushes n her.
gdora. Are sou hurt? Really
he asked, in dull tone. as II
30 much overwhelmed by threat
misfortune TO be greatly troubled
Il anything else.
Iurt.v she exclaimed, pet;ishly
course 1 am hurt. l overbalanced
self while leaning out OF the win
=. and | fell out. and have broken
log and one of my ribs. too.
X"
ALI we take you indoors?'
Oh. no. with energy "Yor
l.urt me too much. Leave mt
the doctor comes"
1lonel turned. and so did Cliff
the constable. For they nj
.LInds as Of an alteration IL
ms voices,- aaii they presently
sight of two men. the one ap
Struggling 10 get away from
and the second endeavorin:
Is companion back. In th'
'ftle more than this was visi
aree men in the garden. bu