The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-06-23
NORA'S CONFESSION.

NOF8 DeHoHSS EOnly gSlnco the COM
mencement of Last season. but before
it was over he had sworn to himself that
if not she. then no other woman should
be his WIFE She left town, however,
before he had mustered courage to Law
at her feet his heart and fortune, but
they met again soon after and then he
resolved that he would know his fate.
| i Day by day. by all the signs q man
can show, he w0Oed her with all those
little attentions that mean SO much, but
Nora either would or could not under
stand them. Did she not. really. Thought
He almost thought at times that there
was . tender light in her eyes when he
| spoke, q softer tone in the voice with
which she answered him, than was COM
patible with ahsolute indiN6ranee; and
one evening, after 3 long day. rnn with
the hounds, he deteFmined that he
would know before he slept what fate
was to be his.
He could not speak before others, of
course, but when he entered the draw
| ing-room after dinner, he made his way
! straight to where Nora sat, little out
of the glare of the lights. looking like
some sweet, serious. spirit, in her un-
spotted white robes, and laid q dainty
offering of hothOuse plants reverently
on her dress. tE;It LAUrggl
And. with Just . glance, Nora sudden
ly sprung up from her chair, and tossed
the fowery through the window
Mrs. Haxtoh, who was the spirited
beauty's godmother, looked ON in indig-
nant surprise.
|---..why. NSrsa,,'it U9/ 43i0f
While Lewis Courtney. white with
pain, even to his very forehead. waited
one second, then gf-
will You please explain, Miss Bel
lairsp"
And then, Nora, who had fingered at
the window . second. turned back to
them again, cold. calm. perfectly self
ut was nothing-much.. A CATER
pillar was amohg them-I detsst crawl
ing things"
No apology. no regret, no thanks.
And Lewis Courtney bowed and Left
the drawing-rOom with feelings more
easily imagined than described, to find
q refuge in Mrs, Hexton's boudoir. to
which he had free entree at all times,
and threw himself down on her lounge,
after turning down the lamp.
Then. because the hated sounds OF
laughter and merriment from below
persisted in occasionally coming to him,
he dragged large rug over him-over
his head and ears, and succeeded in
shutting out the outside noises, while
the inward commotion seemed more
than ever agonizing. r.
Until now he had not known how pas
sionately he loved Nora. He had known
he had loved her-loyed her beyond any
doubt, with all his heart and soul. but
until that rebuff, until she had shown
him, SO cruelty, SO needlessly, that he
was more than dissatisfied to her, he
had not fully realised all it meant-that
there was no hope for him.
How long he had been there he could
not have told, when he heard light
footfall. and somebody who vas already
hernlded by sdaintys suggestiOhs Of tho
fragrance of wOod-violet, somebody
who went over to the lounge and knelt
down beside it, and laid her cheek on
the; rug that 30. completely cOncex3ed
him and threw one arm across the pill
low. .....--,.
Somebody who said very beseeching-
ly. very charmingly: 'Godmotherr'
And, OF course in an instant this
treacfierous uhypocritical fellow, of
ooiirse You will think he was all that
and more, understood the very natural
mistake proud Nora had made, and, al
though his first headlong impulse was
to Immediately inform her of her error
and announce his own identity, there
came . second, still stronger, more
headlOng determination that. since Des-
tiny had evidently taken this affair in
hand. Destiny might carry it ON. and he
would just-lis still and say nothing.
= 'aGodmother. dear. know perfectly
well why you came of up here by your
salf-you are vexed with me because
treated Mr.. Conrtney 90" HNef
No answer. SIS az ~ EtfMa
'Are you SO very angry dearp" Nora
went on, in such sweetly coaxing tones
As he never had heard in his life. II
know it is Just because threw those
flowers out Of the window. lbut--but-
godmother-if-y you only will forgive
me, and please speak to me, I'll tell
you-I-am-so-sOr did it."
But godmother still did not answer
the pretty penitent. Indeed the wretch
under the rug was going through the
strangest experience that ever yet had
befalien him. IL SKrz 81, ~
81 think you are too severe, godmoth-
er," she weut on, with little delicious
breaks in her voice. very suggestive of
coming tears, accompanied by affection
ate, cOaxing little pats ON the shoulder,
.for indeed. and indeed. did it on such
q half-terrified and ridiculous impulse.
But, am sorry"
Still no answer-only this guilty fell
low under the rug wondered why she
couldn't hear tho violent auricular and
ventricular commotion beneath the gay
Persian stripes, and then the sweet
breath foated nearer his face, the sweet
lips almost touch his cheeks. ~
II know I deserve 1t, !" and then great
sobs came, and he felt her form tremble
a. it leaned against him. '.but, can't
say any more, can II Yes|I can
you'll forgive me il confess love
him, godmother. do, do. do, and
sec here-I went and picked up his
dear flowers after he went, and I'll nev-