Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-22
CHAPTER III.

Having, so to speak, crossed the Ru-
bicon, Nora, woman-like, began to
tremble at what she had done. She
withdrew her hands and sat down
again.
"Hs'll kiss me, now" she said to
herself, sand then shall hate him."
Fortunately, no thought Of taking
advantage of the privileges of his posi-.
ton entered Wilson'S mind. lie did
not even approach her.
~Thank you, Miss Adams" he said
gravely. .'You are very good, and If
can help it you shall never regret
what you have said to. day." After
pause he said:
Don't you think we had better go?
You must have enough Of this place. |
will wait outside till you are ready"
he moved towards the door of the
cell. AS he reached it, she stood be-
fore him.
"You have never kissed me yet"
she said in tones Of deepest reproach.
This ceremony concluded, she let him
90. and tried to arrange her some what
disheyelled hair. II must look terri
bic fright" she reflected. He must
care for me very much not to have re-
pented on seeing me-"
"Let us get to one Of the parks, or
some other quiet place" she said when
they were outside. " ! have a great
deal to say TO you"
But when they were seated IN Ken
sington Gardens Nora was silent and
embarrassed. She had meant TO play
the part of Queen CophetLa, - an
nounce to Wilson what happy stroke
he had made that day, and thereby re-
assume the dignity she felt she had lost.
But when the time 10 speak came she
was conscious only that she had been
acting a lie for the last ten days, and
incorporating in fashion for which a
sensible man might reasonably despise
her. Nora Clyne, who had never be-
fore in her life feared mortal man or
woman, stood in awe of this shopman,
| who had no other qualification to her
respect than his simple honesty and his
regard for her.
1t was Wilson who began the con-
| yersation on the most matter-of-tact
basis.
81 have been thinking for some time
of leaving BlscklOck's and setting up
| for myself" he said, land | fancy
this would be good opportunity to do
it. | have a little money-about
| E2O0-that my uncle left me so | can
afford to do it without much risk. Still,
if YOU think it unwise-"
" Certainly not" replied Nora
4" YOU couldn't possibly keep on good
terms both with that creature and with
me. "But," she spoke meekly, and
be did not perceive the mischievou:
light in her eye, "will you want me t.
serve in the shop"
"No-no. | will work for you
Perhaps you wouldn't mind helping me
in the buying of goods, however! You
have better taste than l."
Il will do whatever you like; and
want to tell you that II have little
money, too"
why, II Thought
eyes; l know. You thought
couldn't pay half sovereign; but yol
are wrong. I'm quite rich. have
two thousand a year; and | only wen
into Blacklock's shop as caprice, t
see what the life was like. And my
name isn't Adams at all; it Is Nori
Clyne, and | feel | have deceived yo'
abominably."
"Deceived me No; but | neveI
suspected this. If | had-oh, Mis-
Adj mean Miss Gil don't know
what to call you"
81 think you had better call m
Nora" suggested Miss Clyne swsetly
"If | had known this | should neye
have ventured to tell you | cared 70
you," said he.
sand should have lost my hes
chance Of happiness" she said.
Now that you have told me- n
went on, Il feel that | must withdraw.
withdraw" cried Nora.
eyes"
"If you do | shall call you merce
nary wretch"
"Mercenary! Not that, Miss Clyne
surely"
"Yes, mercenary; for if you give IN
I'd because happen to be rich 1t wi
be evident that you care more for II
money than for me, that it and your ow
pride are of moro Importance in you
eyes than | and my happiness. 70
can do as you like, Of course you ca
give me up-you can jilt me-" she san
.yindictiyely, because happen to b
something different from what 80
thought; but if you do | shall despls
YOU. And-and | respected you 5
much and thought you above nasty
mean considerations Of thus sort.
"Oh, this IS terrible " cried poo
Wilson, in genuine despair.
To give up the girl you love out {
respect to propriety, and to be assure
by her that she will scorn you for you
sacrifice, is undeniably severe trial.
"But think what your friends VII
say" hs protested still.
I'll know what they will say, aud
don't care a straw for any Of them.
haven't the slightest respect Tor tneI
or their prejudices," insisted Nora.
And Just as she uttered the las
words who should draw near but Mrs
Penieather.
She was meditatipg on very seriou
subject 1.-THE fashion Of new Dime
gown, but she came out OF her reverb
Al the sound of voices, and lifting u
her ewes she saw her cousin.
"Wby, Nora, can that be your" sh
exclaimed; 81 did not expect to sc
YOU here at this hour. And this ger
tleinan?"
Lou eazed inquiringly at Wilson
vaguely familiar with his face, but uni
bic TO localize 1t.
i. "This gentleman, Lou" said Nor
boldly. I" is MIR. Wilson. whom you ms
have noticed in Mr.. Blacklock's shol
and whom you must nov know AZ m
| future husband"
II csTheTe !" she added IN . low tor
|I.