The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-12
CHAPTER XLVIL.
ONE BRIEF MOMENT.


It was indeed a very sorrowful inter
view this, and it was a relief to Nora
when it was over, and when the mutely
fixed upon her face.
She went back to her own room, and
sat YEARLY down, wondering whether she
had done right to come, and whether her
presence had not given fresh pain to the
young man, on whose features the gray
shadow OF death so plainly lay.
But she was near Biddulph at least, and
he was i'll and sad and she must try to
help him, Nora presently reflected; and
the old dream OF the faithful friendship
that was to take the place of the lost love
stole back TO her mind. Il said once that
| should be his hes. frieadGrd comforter.
she thought tenderly; land now, when he
is so changed. | can surely be this-he
will not, think, wish to leave me now" !"
Yet she did not see him again during
the day OF their first meeting after their
long separation. She made that conyen-
lent womanly excuse, headache, for not
reappearing at dinner, and remained in
her room during the rest of the evening,
though the kindly Jock came twice to her
door 10 inquire after her. But the next
morning Nora rose refreshed, and had
future regard Biddulph. About IL o'clock
he was lying on his couch by the window
alone, having just had an Interview with
his doctor, when little rap came to his
sitting-room door, and q moment later
Nora Stewart entered, smiling and fair,
and held out her hand to him in frank
and friendly fashion, without apparently
any of the embarrassment and emotion
OF the previous day.
"How are YOU" she said.
"Are you going out?" he asked, looking
at her hat, without answering her query.
II was going TO ask you the same ques-
tion," smiled Nora. "You 20 out in a
bath-chair, sometimes, do you not2 1t is
a fine morning, and have been wonder
ing if you will 60 out now, and, in that
case. if you like, shall 60 with you"
A blush passed quickly over Biddulph's
face.
II should like very much," he said
''but my going out is such formidable
affair. am not allowed even to limp
downstairs on my crutches, you know; |
have TO be carried in the chair. You
would not like to be bored with such an
incubus"
ooh yes, should. Do, please, come;
want to go out, and the air will do you
good"
"Mr. Dalton will take you about and show
you the sights, / am sure"
Nora gave little shrug Of her pretty
shoulders.
"Mr. Dalton is too learned for me-" she
said, "and should rather go with you"
The consequences OF this conversation
were that, half an hour later, BidduIph,
in his invalid chair, was sitting beneath
Df fha. IN, tl,o rIaro t,f NToHsoo,,
square, with Nora standing by his side.
And they were talking together as familiar
friends; talking as those talk between
whose minds there is that subtle bond
which comes unsought. This link makes
common themes seem bright and fresh,
and Biddulph was smiling, and Nora look
ing animated and handsome under her
white sunshade "a different Nora, in
truth, to the gentle, pensive woman sne
had been during his absence. Yet they
were saying nothing particularly brilliant,
and were merely commenting on the peo-
pie passing around them.
And, presently, Biddulph once more
mentioned Dalton.
"You will like him better when you
know more Of him." he said; "his manner
is cold, but owe him so much, that am
naturally prejudiced in his favor"
"What do you owe him?" asked Nora,
quickly.
For a moment Biddulph hesitated, re-
membering Nora knew nothing OF bis
terrible sutierings in the ravine; then be
said quietly
"He has been very kind to me since my
accident, and also to poor Malcolm
Fraser"
81 shall try to like him, then-but here
he actually isl"
For at that moment, Mr.. Dalton, who
was passing through the garden on his
way 10 the hotel, had caught sight OF Bid
dulph in his chair, and at once made bis
way toward him.
"Good morning, Miss Stewart" he said,
dofing his hat. "Well, Biddulph, | am
glad TO see you out; this is as itshould be- "
Miss Stewart has persuaded me TO make
an exhibition OF myself, as you perceive, y
answered Biddulph. smilingly.
"You see how sensitive a mans vanity
is, Miss Stewart" said Dalton, also smil-
ing. "Now. have rarely been able to
induce Mr.. Biddulph TO do what Is really
most essential to his recovery; and as
look upon his life with sort Of god