The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19
hStraD9eMessaQe
BY
DORA RUSSELL,
Author of FOOTPRINTS IN TIE Snow"
The Broken SEAL" ''THE Wears
GovERNEss." "ANxABEL's RIVAL"
XLVIII

0dnuS parted, ana WIN
sigh, they wrenched themselves away
from sweet oblivion.
'T shall be delighted" said Nora, has
tily.
eve ought to ring for lights, think, "
suggested Biddulph.
And the lights were brought, and the
game Of whist was played and during it,
Biddulph made up MS mind not to allow
the pleasant friendship of the morning
which Nora had seemed so anxious to
establish, to lapse again into those dan
gerous moments OF forgetfulness through
which they had just passed
Il tried going away, and it was no
good" he thought, as he made an egregi-
Gus error in the game, and trumped his
partners trick, to Mr. Dalton's indigna-
ton. ''She wishes me to remain her
friend, and shall; it's something, at
least, TO see her and talk to her some
times"
Il really cannot compliment you on
your play, Biddulph," remarked Dalton,
when the game was ended.
1 can never keep my attention to
cards. | do not know how it is, an
swered Biddulph, with a good-natured
laugh.
apparently not, ;" said Dalton, drily.
Miss Stewart" said Biddulph the next
moment, "dO you mean to be good enough
to insist upon my going out tomorrow
morning again ?" And he looked at Nora
and smiled.
"If you wish to 90, I think it viii do
you good" answered Nora. somewhat
shyIy.
u am sure it will do me good; yet
hate to be stared at. a man looks such
,o1 IN, l,o41, .I,~s- 1v,l,
That Is, suppose any one looks at him,
said Dalton. calmly. In the country, we
are, unhappily, OF sufficient interest TO our
neighbors for our actions to be watched
and commented on; IN cities we escape
observation. | do not suppose any one
Will notice you, Biddulph."
Again Biddulph laughed, and they
finally settled that he was to 60 out, and
risk the chance even of being remarked
upon.
He imposes upon my good nature, YOU
perceive, Miss Stewart" said Biddulph,
as he shook hands with Nora, alluding to
Dalton, who was standing near.
"Well, l shall see YOU in the morning
then" replied Nora. smiling, as she lett
the room and when she reached her own,
Ter face was flushed and her eyes shining
''He seemed better tonight" she
thought and she thought, too, of that
silent band-clasp and of the brief mo-
ments when the shadow athwart their
lives seemed almost forgotten.
But they both remembered it the next
morning, and no further allusion was
made either to the past or the coming
days. They were friends and Biddulph
accepted the position, and life did not
seem dull or wearisome any longer. They
had a hundred things to talk OF, without
even nearing subjects which they knew
were best ignored. In the sunny gardens
they spent many hours, and Biddulph
grew stronger daily, and presently was al
lowed by his doctor to limp on his crutches
by Nora's side.
Once while he was doing this, some
passer-by-a lady-made a remark to a
friend which sent o burning blush to
Nora cheeks, but which she hoped Bid
dulph did not hear.
Il suppose she is his wife" said this
lady, looking at Nora.
"Yes, / suppose so; she seems very fond
of him" answered the friend.
A minute later Biddulph made some
commonplace remark, and when Nora ven
tured to glance at him again he was look
ing very pale. She thought he had not
heard the strangers words, and in a little
while regained her composure. But Bid
dulph, in truth, had heard them, and they
disturbed him and filed his heart for q
little while with restless pain.
But he did not show this to Nora; this
friendship, from which he had once fled,
had grown too sweet and precious to him
TO be risked by indulgence in vain regrets.
And as weeks went on, and the summer
began to wane Mr.. Dalton left New York,
his concerns recalling him 10 England,
and Nora and Biddulph were thus thrown
more entirely alone.
For while they loitered in the gardens,
or took excursions to the sunny beach Of
Coney Island and sat there watching the
blue waters, in Malcolm Fraser's sick
room the gathering shadows of death
grew nearer and nearer, and neither father
nor mother would be persuaded to leave
him.
Nora went to see him every day, but
poor Mrs. Jock felt a strange jealousy OF
these visits. and grudged the wan smile
which used 10 fit over Malcolm's face
when Nora appeared, knowing how terri
bly, dear this love had cost her son. And
she knew, too, that Nora went ont with
Biddulph, and secretly resented this also.
''She came her TO see him, suppose" Z"
she said to Jock, bitterly, ''and not our
poor boy"
Alick Fraser also heard, with deep and
concentrated anger, that Biddulph was
staying in the same hotel as his brother
and sister-in-law and Nora. He had not
approved of their going 70 New York at
all, 10 see the last of that stupid, idiotic
bOv." as he called Malcolm, and had been
absent from lnismore when the news of
Malcolm's terrible injuries reached Arid
linn. But he did not know that Nora
Stewart had gone with them until they
had absolutely started. When he found
this was the case, ne gave way to a violent
fit OF passion, knowing that Nora would
thus again meet Biddulph.
"But she can't marry him, at all
events" be consOled himself by thinking
and then he went over 10 Airdlinn, and
brought Minnie back to stay with him at
1nismOre until her parents should return.
He thus heard constantly how Malcolm
was going on, as Mrs. Jock naturally
wrote TO Minnie all the news about her
brother, and sometimes news about Nora
Stewart, too.
ssNora Stewart seems to see a good deal
of Mr.. Biddulph, apparently" Alick once
read in one of these letters, and he
frowned and bit his lips ashe did so. The
idea OF going out to New York crossed his
mind, but more prudent thoughts pre-
vailed. He was not quite sure OF that
quick temper OF his, and he did not wish
70 get into "any row." as he called il,
with that COMPOUNDED fellow Biddulph;" !"
nor did he wish to be mixed up in any
way with poor Malcolm Fraser.
HE Is best dead" he thought many a