Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-08-29

"Now I can tell you something MY
uncle thinks I-I-did it."
"shot Jem Stickels?'
"Yes."
"Well, what on earth is he to think!
1t is just what I should have thought
myself if"
IF what?
"If hadn't happened to be in love
with YOU"
Nell stared.
you don't mean that, really?'
Eyes, but l do, though. Look here;
| got the nurse to pay someone to go TO
the inquest and report to me. He did.
when the jury adjourned FOR luncheon'
And now I've just heard of your EVIL
dence and the verdict, and L don't see
how anybody, except me, could fali 10
suspect you. Yes, you"
Nell, who had been very white, gre"
crimson as she looked at him.
"Ycu mean-that you suspect me-
too? You think me capable Of
mo, child, of course not. But
think you gave your evidence very
badly. and that you therefore can't ex'
pcct to be pitied. Now tell me why
Won didn't want to come and see me?'
Nell silently hung her head.
"Was It because you didn't care II
YOU never saw ME again.?
Tn went the face, radiant with pas
sionate denial.
"Well. was It because you knew
should ask you some questions"
Down went the face again.
"What was it you wanted to see me
about when you sent for me to come
down from town to see your :,
She looked up at him with face ful'
of terror.
"Ah. that's it," she whispered hur'
riedly. THAT is why l didn't want TO
soc Won. | knew you would want to
know that. And now-I cannot tell
you"
"Why not?"
Yesterday" went on Nell. her voice
getting lower, 81 was going to ask
your advice; for it was only case OIL
theft. To-day 1 dare not, for 1t Is now
a question of-murder?
you know something, Neli!'
w don't. I wish I did. Butt sus'
meet And / dare not whisper my sus-
picion even to you, until have felt my
wov tn n little more knowledge. Now
will YOU be content with that, and not
want to make me speak when l Wouid
rather be siientT
Clifford hesitated.
wouldn't you trust me to be SILENT
too?" -.
Nell began to look perpiexed anu
miserable. drawn this way ana that
by conflicting feelings of love ana
duty. Clifford saw how keen the strug-
gle was, and like a generous fellow, cur
it short for her.
"All right, Nell. you shall keep your
secret. Only mind this: 1 must be the
first to know it. Will you promise me
that?"
Eyes. oh, yes, and thank you with
all my heart"
The weight of care sprang up from
off the girls heart at one bound. Inc
entire trust which Clifford showed IN
her was just the balm her woundeo
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
that she went out to face the woriu
and her uncle's suspicion with fresh
courage.
C]ifford's wound had proved more
serious than was at first supposed.
There was risk Of Inflammation ana
tbo doctors ordered that he was to be
kept very quiet. Wien, therefore, that
same evening, Hemming called at the
inn. and asked to see Mr.. King, ne
would have been denied altogether IL
Clifford himself had not heard the III
ouiry and recognizing the voice. III
sisted On seeing the detective.
"Well. and what do you want wltn
me-" asked Clifford, with interest, as
uemming was shown into his tiny
room. AZ,
"Nvell, 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 az DiacH
Tor her as they well can" <
And he gave the young man "a
shrewd look as he pronounced this
statement. clifford ord said nfA'ns and
| uemming went on:
"Knowlng how you Eere-were a
friend of the young ladyff l thought
it only right you shouldsEAow as 1 am
downright certain wiz was at the
bottom both of the murder and the
robbery; and I'm only waiting to make
the chain of proof little stronger be-
fore making an arrest"
"Of whom?
81 leave you to guess, sir. may tell
you I've found the pistoP'-Clifford
started-"and the bullet fits it exact
ly."
"Do you want to put any more ques
tons to Miss Claris?" asked Clifford
imrSrturbably.
"NYell the young lady seemed so I'M
willing-But, of course, If you thin|;
she wouldn't mind-after all, it's only
rehearsal like, and 1 dare say she
knows that"
TO be Continued.