The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-02-02
That very night there came light rap at

and falling about her like veil, Nora smiled
her welcome.
Indeed you may" she said. "I could
not sleep, and was sitting at the open win.
dow, J. dreaming of my own happiness. l
wonder what l have done to deserve SO
much? 1t seems SO strange that We're
should love me- when other women are SO
grand, and stately, and beautiful-like
ysurself, Miss Struthers. DO you know
should have thought he would not have
seen me when you were near?"8
Z" We were fond of each other once the
elder woman answered, as though uncon-
scious of her own words, "but-wo quar-
relied. He-he was jealous of me-"
A quick spasm of pain crossed Nora's
face.
You mean that you and We're were once
engaged" she asked. ..... l...
"No-oh, no." she replied, hastily.
"What have 1 said? meant nothing ex-
cept that"
She stopped suddenly, leaving the sem
tence. unfinished. -.
"Do not let us talk of it-let us talk of
yourself. How you must long to have your
mother with you ut such q time. Do you
know should think you would be tempted
to forgive all and go to her3"
The sweet face grew CHASTITY.
"What can you mean?" " she asked. "My
mother died when l was child"
"Oh, forgive me-! exclaimed Miss
Struthers. "What have l done? 1t is
possible you do not know-possble that the
truth has been kept from you?"
''What truth? what are you saying? Are
you mad, or am II"
1--WE are neither of us mad. But dare
say no more. l have already said far, far
too much"
You have, indeed not to say all. am
a woman, like yourself Miss Struthers, and
I demand from you the truth"
"But dare not tell you. If they have
kept this secret from you. they would never
forgive me for revealing it."
"They shall not know the name of my
informer. Tell me, or will go to them and
| demand the truth. You say that my mother
| lives, and mourn for her as dead?"
"Because-because she forsook you when
listen," she added, in quick alarm, for the
girl had fallen back as though stabbed to
the heart. There was some excuse for
her. She had loved n man before her mar
riage with your father, who was desperately
jealous Of him. He was very, very i'll, and
thought himself dying, and sent for her
She asked your father to let her go-to let
her see him for one half lf-hour-and he re-
fused. Afterward another and more urgen
messenger came, and she went with him
gone, publicly renounced her, in his fierce
anger; and when, at the end of few
hours, she came back, refused her admit
tance to her home or her child. Doubtless
she then was innocent of any wrong. For
three years she disappeared, and no one
heard of her; but the man did not die, aud
at the expiration of that time-one year
after your fathers deaf tl-the papers con-
tanned the published account of their mar
riage. You were left as Sir We're Vernon's
ward. The Vernon pity has ever been held
stronger than the Vernon love; therefore,
they doubtless have withheld the story from
you"
but these years of my mothers absence
where did she spend them?"
"Could it be the sweet musical voice
one of Nora Fitzgeralds chief charms
which put the question? 1t sounded hoarse
and harsh.
Miss Struthers shrugged her shoulders
cruelty.
at is the question the world asks" she
replied. r. bullion
The girl fell on her knees Miss Struth.
ers approached but she raised her hand
with her head still bowed, and motioned tc
the door.
With glance of triumphant hatred she
went out, leaving Nora alone with her desc.
lation, disgrace and misery.
An hour ago she had been so happy thai
she banshed sleep in her joy, SO mucl
sweeter were her waking dreams than those
slumber might bring. Now, though she
might seek to purchase oblivion at any cost
it was denied her.
1.-THE Vernon pity has ever been hel(
stronger than the Vernon love" Why die
these words, with their subtle poison-sting
ever return to her? and why, in connec
lion with them, did she hear again ever.
syllable We're had uttered in the picture gal
lery that day Had he been moved onl,
by pity, then, to olTer her his proud ole
name, ana thus bring upon it its first stain
He had loved this other girl too-cold
proud and fair. He had been jealous, ant
they had quareled, then in pity he hat
turned to her.
"Oh, We're! oh, piother " she moaned
but neither of the two, whose love woul,
have been held truest in the broad, wild
world, made answer to her piteous prayer
The dawn found her knoeling still, bu
she knew now what she must do
Hastily she caught up piece of paper
and wrote upon it her farewell
81 have learned my mothers history,
she wrote, "How, matters not. DO yol
remember, We're, what you said regarciIn,
the women of your line? They had alway
been pure and stainless Did you know til
truth when you offered me your name
Perhaps like me, you believed in IN.
mothers perfect innocence. If so, bles
you for your trust but you shall not put
10 such proof. am going away. We're
DO not seek to find me. l will never le
you know where | am until you are married
Then you shall hear that / am well am
safe. Oh, that | covld find my mother, am
90 to her Oh, that l knew where to loo
for her! Think my heart is breaking i
its struggle, but l do not falter, We're
Good-by, foreyer!" " t..... ..
She addressed aud sealed the note, the
dressed herself as for journey. But he
head swan and her trembling fingers re
fused to do her bidding. She was hersel
unconscious of the terrible excitement sh
had undergone, until, opening her door t
pass out, black cloud enveloped her, au
she fell prone upon the threshold.
There they found her, an hour later, an
carried her to her bed. The household wa
soon around and messengers for physioia
dispatched in hot haste.
But ere lie could arrive, Vere tearn
open that hastily written and ptiful not
knew that this illness had been mercy j