The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-05


while her husbands death-cry rings
through the wild storm; and Nora Stew
art was sitting smiling in her drawing
room when Biddulph, whom she loved so
deeply, lay half dead in the deep ravine
among the hills, and when ne dreamed
there that she visited him in an angels
garb.
She had received the letter that he had
written to tell her he was about to start on
tour through America with Mr. Dalton,
and this letter had given great relief to
her mind. He would be quite out of
Malcolm Fraser's way, she ydinly sup
posed, when he was travelling, little guess
Ing with what fierce determination Nal
colin had followed him from city TO city,
or of the terrible encounter that had
taken place at last between them.
Minnie Fraser still remained in town
with Nora, and Alick Fraser often visited
at her house. though he had not sum-
moned up courage again 10 try his fortune
by asking her to be his wife. But all the
same he meant to do so, and his annoy
ance was very great. because he began
really TO believe that GlendOyne also con-
templated wooing Nora; and, in truth,
this idea was often floating through the
heart. it must be confessed, was not very
greatly interested in the matter.
But Nora was a charming woman, with
a good fortune and very pleasant house,
Glendoyne often reflected and he liked to
90 there, and liked also TO watch the soft
blush which stole to Minnie Fraser's fair
cheeks when he did So He knew very
we'll that Miss Stewart did not blush when
he entered her drawing-rOem; but then,
she always smiled and seemed pleased to
see him there. And as for thinking of
Minnie seriously, he self-argued 1t was
absurd; she had no money, and he had no
money, therefore it was out of the ques-
ton. But all the same she was dear lit
tie girl, and he liked to talk to her, and, Of
course, there could be no possible harm in
that
But there was more harm than Glen
doyne allowed himself to suppose. Minnie
Fraser, brought up among the Scottish
hills, knew very little of the world and its
uncanny ways. She knew, too that Nora
Stewart had loved Mr.. Biddulph, and
been parted from him on the very eve Of
her marriage, and that she was not likely
a girl soon to forget her first love. She
naturally supposed, therefore, that Glen
doyne did not go to Nora's house exclu-
sively TO see Nora He did not seem TO
care 10 talk 10 the Lees, and ne did not
seem to care TO talk to herself. Poor
little simple Scottish maiden! Minnie
never thought that Nora's fortune might
be more precious in GlendOynes sight
than her own tender heart, which he was
fast stealing away. Each day he grew
more interesting to her, and her timid
admiration pleased Glendoyne, and made
'Nora's house still more agreeable to him.
He went with them 70 exhibitions and
picture galleries but rarely into society
Glendoyne, in truth hated crowded "at
homes, and took very little trouble TO
make himself pleasant 10 Indifferent ac-
euaintances. He lived at his club and
contemplated matrimony in lazy, far-off
fashion, sometimes thinking quite
seriously of Nora, and then allowing him
self to drift away from the idea and glide
very naturally into a semi-tender couyer-
sation with the pretty girl, whom he al
ways told himself it was absurd to
think OF.
But as the season moved on, an event
occurred which somewha; quickened his
languid pulses, and induced him one day
half seriously to approach the subject OF
marriage with Nora Stewart. This event
was nothing less than that an additional
fortune of fifteen thousand pounds was
left 10 Nora by her late fathers only sis
ter, Miss Gust. The old lady had been an
invalid and recluse, and had taken very
little notice Of her niece during her life
time, and Nora used always smilingly to
declare that Aunt Bessie" was sure to
leave her money to some favorite curate.
But she was mistaken. Miss Gust left five
thousand pounds to various charities; but
the bulk OF her comfortable fortune was
bequeathed TO LeOnOra Gust Stewart, for
Miss Gust had never approved of Nora en-
tirely dropping her fathers name.
GlendOyne heard OF this bequest by
finding Nora one afternoon when he called,
attired in deep mourning He ventured
TO inquire the cause, and listened TO the
account Of "Aunt Bessies" legacy with a
certain mild interest and a mental prick
ing-up Of the ears. 1t was not much, to be
sure, but Glendoyne was actually poor,
and as he sat and gazed pensively at Nora
with his half-pathetic dark eyes, he
thought he had never seen her look so
handsome before.
1t might be that her black gown con-
trasted well with her fair skin or ii might
be the extra money, but Glendoyne nearly
made up his mind. Minnie Fraser was
not there 10 distract his attention, for she
had gone TO spend the day out OF town
with some friends Of her mothers, and
Nora and OiendOyne we're quite alone. IL
was an opportunity he rarely found, and
Glendoyne, after few moments consid-
Grafton, endeavored TO take advantage
OF IL
"Do you-ah-think a man is better
married or unmarried, Miss Stewart?'' he
asked, IL his slow way, and Nora immedi-
ately answered, with great frankness:
II think married, Lord Glendoyne."
"Ah--that is some encouragement; but
il requires-ah-so much money!
"Oh, no; it requires some, OF course,
but IL a man really cares for a girl, money
is a second consideration"
But how is man to know that the
girl cares7" inquired Glendoyne, dusky
blush stealing over his usually pale skin
THAT is easily found out, isn't it2'
said Nora, with little laugh, and blush
also.
'T wish / could find out"
"But have you tried ?" asked Nora, n
little archly, for she always believed that
Glendoyne really admired Minnie Fraser.
81 was just thinking of-ah-doing 50. "
Something in his manner made Nora
begin 10 feel little nervous, and this en-
boldened Glendoyne.
II wonder now-ah, Miss Stewart, II
you like MOP"
Yes, Of course like you but -"
"But mean for good, YOU know. Do
you like me well enough 10 take me for
better or for worse, as they say in the
prsyer-book, don't they?'