Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-26

CHAPTER ".

watched the girl narrowly, ana was
shocked and surprised to observe that
while he and her uncle We're At
white heat of excitement. she showed
remarkable self-cOntrol. After a mo-
ments silence on her part. she inter-
rupted Clfford's protests and excuses
with little pettish movement OF her
hand.
'Never mind apologizing" said she
CURLY. Let us hear what you have
to say. Now l know what you meant
by your being disturbed"
She cast down her glance upon the
shabby Carpet of the little sitting
room, and stocd. leaning with one hand
xpon the table. her head half turned
away. in the attitude o. close atten-
ton
1t was evident that she did not suf.
fer half so keeniy as did Clifford.
whose voice was hoarse and tremulous
as he spoke in answer.
"You don't suppose. you can't sup
pose. that | accuse yen of anything"
said he. trying in vain TO meet her
eyes. and betraying even 10 the preju-
L
iness OF his feeling. Il was disturbed
In the night. l found a hand under
my pillow. caught the hand with
my purse and my watch in ii. The
hand was Il womans. small and soft
and slender There. that's all know"
But you think it's enough to go
upon when you accuse my niece of
hnf fAfr oh
as he brought his heavy fist down with
4 sounding thump upon the table.
Hush. uncle said the girl. with
perfect calmress. Mr. King never
meant that. / am sure of it,"
And TO the Young mans intense re-
Lief and gratitude she looked straight
in his face with faint smile.
Thank you. Thank you with all
my heart" said he. hodrseiy.
Nell was still very pale. but she was
quite cain and composed. and after Il
short pause. during which the two
men had watched ner. wondering what
she was going 10 propose. she sudden
~ sat down upon 4 chair and leaned
upon the taoie. in the endeavor 10 hide
the fact that her limbs were not as
much under her control as her mind
was.
Let us think it out" said she. And
then. before either OF the others had
spoken. there passed suddenly over
her face sort of spasm OF horror
struck remembrance. as IL half-for-
gotten incident had suddenly flashed
into her mind with 4 new significance
Clifford saw that light had broken
in upon her. But instead of communi-
eating 10 her companion the idea.
whatever it was. which had flashed
through her own brain. she raised her
head very suddenly. and meeting Cliff
ford's eyes with piercing look.
asked:
You have some idea. some suggcs-
ton to make. What is it:"
IL was strange how the man had
clustered. and the woman prepared
herself 10 reason. Clifford sat down
on the Other side of the table. feeling
that here WAS = person with whom he
could discuss tie matter with all rea-
sonableness.
y was wondering" he said. gently.
whether yCI ever walked i'll your
sleep. l know il seems an infamous
thing to have dared TO connect you
with tae matte: IT all
That will do. she said. graveiy.
81 don't want any apologies about
THAI. / can see. Mr.. King. that the
very notion makes you much more I'M
happy that il does me-"
The tears sprung to Cliffo-Gs eyes.
Every trace of suspicion of her hon
esty had melted way long since I'M
der the influence Of her perfect
straightforwardness.
Its awfully good of you" he said.
gratefully. AS / was saying. SOM
nambulism is the only explanation pos
sible. You must have read of such
things. You must have heard that it
is possible for a person 10 take things
in his sleep and hide them away with
out ever being conscious of what he's
doing"
Again there passed over the ingen-
uous face of the young girl that look
which betrayed some vague but hor-
rible memory. 1t perp!exed Clifford
and worried him 1t was the enc cir
cunslance which married his perfect
belief in her. for it showed what all
her words Delied-that she had litt:e
mora knowledge than she confessed to.
And what made you think the hand
was mine:" asked she. in troubled
tone. And instinc;ively. as she spoke.
she tried to hide her hands under the
rim of the broad hat which she had
taken off.
well. the hand was small and soft.
like yours" said Clifford in low
voice. so small that it was almost
like child's hand in mine. 1t seemed
70 me that l had only touched one
hand in my life like it,
Nell shot a frightened glance at
him. and in the pause which followed
Clifford saw tear fall on to the table
cloth. He started up.
'.0h. this is h0rrible," he moaned.
But the girl spranG up in her turn.
and turning to her uncle cried. In a
voice full of energy:
Uncle George. you must give to
Nr. King the money he has lost. what
ever it f.. or course" she went on
quickly. turning 10 Clifford with eyes
now bright with excitement. 1--WE cam
not give you back your watch. but we
nau crfra Won I'M x-aitta nf - v,,,