Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-07-12

When she reached the g.i;c she heard
;;,r sound of Strau.c voices in the house
and 81" t;ir MARKS of carriage wheels.
Before he could slip around to the back
door II youD" man ran down the steps
holding on; both hands
"ThiS is cousin Nora, | am sure" said
nc. smiling eagerly.
Nora frightened instantly.
"i"uarc my cousin. Laurence Nor
;"n, are younot!'
"SiWcc you recognize me- allow me u
cousin : privilege" lie said; and stopping
kissed hcr on the check.
The sound of footsteps caused her 20
Erie pause, as if trarsIixcd by astonish-
'n"n;, then turn hastily and stride away.
Tnis it;ic episode WAS not observed b.
Cousin laurence, who was in the best OF
spirits ell the evening; Nora was not so
gay.
"Wist will Guy think OF mc?" she
pondcrcd. "But am glad he saw it.
And do hope. after what | heard this
afternoon, th;.! he will never, never read
Highland Nora" Cousin Laurie" said
she, later III The evening. ''don't tell any
one you ere my cousin while You arc here;
need Il cavalier To accompany me III my
TAmi'lcs, AMI beside, want revenge OH
Sohlobody."
o. course laurence was delighted to
act rs his cousins escort. and hcnccforth
he WAS seldom seem without him. When
they CHANGED to meet Guy, Nora bowed
:;rariousiy, for Shc thought, AZ can III
lord 10 be niagnanimots, us am victor"
She lc.rnrd from the current gossip that
lady and gentleman were visiting nj the
Hall. distant relatives, the servant said,
ami ,nat the lady was very wealthy. Guy
/ himself Nora had not spoken TO since that
, nnrnin" in he dairy.
In Il few weeks an invitation came for
Nora and her guest to attend picnic
given in honor of the young lady nj the
Hall. Tie party were to go up the river
about two miles in skifTs, and cross over
| to the opposite side. Here the woods had
been cleared of untlcrbrush, the green
grass was thickly matted together, and all
around the flowers and ferns grew in
abundance
When Nor:' and Laurence arrived Guy
and the strange lady had gone 10 the
spring II short distance away, and Nora
hurried Laurence Off ere they returned.
lie accompanied her reluctantly, for he
had some curiosity concerning the man
llc "a> sure his cousin loved.
''Frrn gathering seems to I've perfect
nania with yon, Nora nc remarked,
presently.
"oh. ! don't care il | never see fern;
/ | just do not want to meet that stranger"
Nora said quickly.
a thought we were invited expressly
to meet herr"
How rude have hrcn." She OK
claimed. $50 we were! Let lis 20
back
They turned TO rctracc their steps and
>lmc face to face with Guy and the fair
Stranger. Guy introduced her to Nora
rs Miss Benton. Nora bowed coldly, but
the lady held out her hand
''Gry has spoken Of YOU so often, Miss
Ncalc, that feel rs If had always
known you. AIN sure we shall be the
bcs; Of friends
Nor; was NOT SO sure of that; but she
could only murmur something supposed
to he Il polite reply.
But when her cousin was introduced.
wa" H'H -ASHblN 1T tIht HIiti
! light that flashed into his eyes, while Miss
Ecnton's pink checks changed TO deepest
crimson. They shook hands, and I.au-
renee turned to his cousin, saying briefly:
1--WE have met before" Then Offering
Miss Benton his arm, which she accepted,
they walked away, leaving Gay and Nora
together.
They stood looking Mt each other in
puzzled silence; then, as the funny side
of the situation struck Nora, she burst
into II merry laugh, in which Guy joined
| The laugh seemed 10 relieve their en-
barrassment.
: mora, may | walk back to the land
in. place with you?" asked Guy
at seems that you must she said,
laughing. at is u matter of necessity,
not choice. / wonder where they met
bcfore"
mo matter, since they have given nc
the opportunity have been seeking for
! SO long"
. "And l" said Nora, interruptirs,
"want to apologize for not going boat
ing that afternoon. changed my mind
and went for ferns instead
Guy looked ut her in astonishmcnt.
"Did You not go?"
Nora flushed, but said, smiling:
! "Did you find me mt the meeting
place."
NO said Guy, bravely, "for I was
not there. When reached home, after
leaving your house that morning, found
that Cousin Elsie and her father had ar
rived. She wished very much to take a
ride that afternoon, and l felt in duty
hound to accompany her. took an extra
horse with us as far as your house, in
tending to invite you TO join us. but you
were not at home. Since then I have
sought an opportunity to apologize in
vain"
A great load seemed lifted from Nora's
! heart.
''Shc is your cousin?"
"Aiy only cousin" said Guy. "Your
guest is very handsome man" he added
presently.
''You mean Cousin Laurie? Yes, he is
. handsome
(,uy tirnp1 lilo on1