Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-11-18
RORA's STORY.
BY CLIO STANLEY.

BY CLIO STANLEY.
The melancholy days of which poets
sing had come to earth, and in truth they
were the saddest of the year.
All that summer the world had seemed Q
sunny place, made for love and romance
One day after another had been ushered il
like sweet guest, sure of approval; auG
the nights closing over them had made
them beautiful memories.
"Who could be anything but happy?'
l had asked myself the question again and
again now l laughed bitterly at the
thought of any lasting happiness cominl
to me.
l had spent three months at this old farm
house among the mountains, gaining
strength with every day, until, when
looked at my own face in the glass, il
seemed like new face.
Years ago had been called "lovely Nora,
but since l had been poor, and worked fol
my living, the roses had faded in my
cheeks, the light had died in my once laugh
ing eyes, and loveliness had chased away
the smiles.
But this summer had found new friends
and all the world had blossomed again.
l remember SO we'll that day on the hill
side, when, tired with long ramble,
had thrown myself down ON grassy
ledge, and sat looking off over the quiet
valley, thinking that | was glad TO have
health and strength again, even to spend
il in downright hard work.
Suddenly there came from out the shadow
of the great oaks the figure Of n man.
Brown and travel stained, yet yith frank,
honest expression that won him friend al
once.
ut is five years, and am herel" he said
gravely, coming up to me and holding out
both his hands.
"Five years?" i said, looking up with
curiosity. 81 don't think 1 could forget @
friend in that time. l am quite sure we
are strangers"
His face crimsoned and sterner look
c'alDj Did a Il I not i6t promise you 1 would come
with or without a fortune? We shall have
TO wait for the fortune, but we surely are
the best friends, Clara?"
"You have made mistake" / stam-
mered, 81 am not Clara, but Nora"
He looked amazed. knew was look
ing like little goosel
"lf it was Clara Reed you expected to see
others have made the same mistake; they
say look as she did five years ago; she is
really my cousin, You know, only"
"Only what?"
1t was humiliating, but il must be said.
"Only our uncle left all the money to
Clara, when he died, and IRE have not
been the best friends" And once more
turned away.
But gently he laid a detaining hand OF
my arm.
"This then is lovely Nora?' Pardon me
but l have often heard your uncle call yor
that. But thought you were the heiress.
81 thought SO, too," 1 faltered; "bu
Clara came-and saw and conquered" AnC
/ tried to smile.
"And you we're left out in the cold?
at did seem pretty cold when those
had thought my friends dropped off on,
by one, but have found better ones since
and am quite happy"
Once more 1 turned away.
But he fastened along the little path tina
was hardly wide enough for two, aud, tax
ing my basket, said
"If you are Clara's cousin we must bt
friends at least. Your uncle once asket
me to his house to meet you, so you will
not refuse my friendship now?"
"Your friendship Oh, no! have no
so many friends that can refuse one."
So he carried my basket, and began t
tell me the story of his travels as we wen
| back to the old farmhouse.
I'left him at the door and ran up to m
| room to dress for tea.
That evening heard marvellous storie
4 of adventure, and felt almost as if mysel
had been halfway round the world.
The next morning Clara came, an
Robert Hervey was quite the devoted love
she expected.
Still there were times when we we're al
| together in the little world of cool gree
shadows on the mountain side, and coul
listen to The pleasant stories he told of far
| off lands and people, forgetting time an,
place, until Clara would say:
"I never could go into raptures owe
things, so don't expect it, Robert! reall
don't see how Nora manages to get up s
much enthusiasm"
And then would blush guiltily and g
away, because / knew in my own hear
that it was his voice and kind glance tbs
made the stories so charming.
One day when Clara had been teasin
me, and had driven me almost to tear
she followed me to my room, and thre
herself down in the easiest chair.
$50 You really think he is nice, Nora
What would you give to be in my place.
"Clara," said Indignantly, show dal
you insult me?"
"My dear child, If you call that an insu
TO offer yon something you are dying
have, you must have a strange imagin'
ton"
at is an INSULT" / cried. "How dal
you say it2"
Rubbish, any dearl / may rs we'll te
you that don't intend to marry him! i
is altogether Too conceited for poor ma
and think my money will bring me som
one more to my taste. The truth is ha'
outgroyn him since he went away, and
told him so this afternoon!'
"Clara, you are certainly beside yoursel
You could not outgrow Robert Heryey in
lifetime"
"You may think so," she said quickl.
"but even so, don't want a superior bein
for husband, who will expect me TO loc
up to him all my life, take my opinions
his hands, and have none of my own.
may suit you--but il doesn't suit mel"
"And you have told him this?" said.
"Not in so many words; but said / VI
quite sure we were not suited to ea'
! other. and, in fact, / thought you mig