Democratic messenger., 1902-05-24

house he overlook the old gentleman
| from church.
The colonel. recognizing Clifford. as
the latter merely raised his hat and
would have passed. called him to stop.
No. no." said he. good -humoredly,
I'VE don't get so many visitors down
from London at this til. of year that
we can afford TO let you go b. like
that"
Miss Bostal. however. was less cor
dial. She did not offer to shake hands
with him. and she eyed his tweed suit
and low-crowned hat with open dis
favor
Il am afraid" said Clifford. "that
Miss Bostal thinks haven't brought
enough of London down with me-
The colonel laughed. and said they
would overlook that But the prim lit
tie lady said icily:
II know that young men take things
| easily, nowadays. 1t is the fashion.
But it used to be thought rather shock
ing to see gentleman on Sundays
without n frock coat and tall hat. I
am old d-fashioned and prejudiced.
suppose. but
Her father interrupted her.
Good gracious, Theodore, If you are
old-fashioned. what ought l to be?
And should think Mr.. King very fool
ish to walk along country road in
his Bond-street get-up on Sunday or
any other day"
''Oh. 1t Is who am foolishw retorted
Miss Theodore. Il suppose the clergy
man didn't mind; he gets TOO much
used to that sort of thing nowadays.
But in my young days n vicar would
have felt himself insulted if any men,
ber of the upper classes had appeared
at service in such a costume"
Even the colonel. who was presum-
ably accustomed TO his daughters va
garies. was astoniShed at her acrimo-
niouS tones. Clifford. who was hardly
prepared with an answer. was much
relieved when she made an excuse of
preparing dinner to leave him with
her father
AS the spare figure. with ITS curious
ly old-fashioned dress of fifteen years
back. lifted up its skirts with both
hands. in the ancient manner. and dis
appeared into the house. the colonel
laughed silently.
Il need not apologize for my daugh-
ter. suppose" he said, with twinkle
in his eye. Women fossilize more
quickly than we do. you know"
Il really began to feel rather fright
ened." said Clifford. II was speculat-
Ing as to what would happen if
should let slip the fact that l hadn't
been to church at all this morning"
"She knew that rs we'll as We did.
imagine" said the colonel The vicar
gave US an hour and ten minutes of it
this morning. so suppose she felt bit.
ter"
Il don't see why she should have
vented her feelings on me-" murmured
Clifford.
But the old gentleman suddenly
stopped short. He had been walking
on with Clifford in the direction of the
Blue Lion.
Il have it, he exclaimed with con-
! viction. Its on account of Nell Cla-
ris. her little protege. My daughter is
very indignant about the way in which
the girl has been prosecuted lately.
and l suppose she thinks that you
have had something TO do with it,
Then indeed she is wrong" cried
Clifford. hotly. Nobody is more an
CRY that l am about it. And you will
believe me when tell you that have
come down on purpose TO ask Nell.
and for the second time. TO be my
wife"
The old gentleman listened with
vivid interest.
Come back with me: do come in
side the house with me for one min.
ute" he said. with as much excite
ment as tine young man himself had
shown. Theodore will be ready to
embrace you when she hears
But Clifford. who was in no hurry
to be embraced by Theodore. excused
himself. He had so little time. he
said. he was afraid he should hardly
be able to get back to Courtstairs be-
fore dark.
Tell Miss Theodora," sai,l he. that
/ am very grateful to her for believing
in my darling girl. call her mine,
although she won't give me the right to
do so. But | haven't given up hope.
and | shall not do so. even if she re-
fuses me again
Still it was with very little conf
dence in his immediate chances of sue.
cess that Clifford. after taking leave
of the colonel. walked briskly on to
the little inn. He had written to
Nell three or four times without re-.
ceiviDg single line in answer. She
had not returned his letters: she must
have received and had probably read
them: If there was anything 10 hope
| for in that fact. he might hug the
| thought to his heart; but. considering
the terms in which he had written
the warmth with which he begged her
| to let him come down and see her.
! there was very little encouragement
! in that.
| He was luckier than he had ventured
to expect. For as he came over the
little bridge which spanned the river
he saw Nell herself approaching the
house from the opposite direction. She
had her prayers book in her hand. and
was evidently returning from Stroan.
where she had been 10 church.