Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-06
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI
"Ic looked Mt 1her 40 u lover c,n
She looked at him rs one ~ hO awaken,
The past was sleep, and her life uegan."
Not coldly, not scornfully, now DO
Norah's eyes meet Delaney's, but with
tender welcome in them. Softly she turns
10 him, with little loving gesture, and
with her lips parted by Happy smile.
She has forgotten everything in this supreme
moment, save those OLD sweet days when
first they met, and, still half wrapped in
the tender dream that had carried her back
to them, she whispers fondly, sleepily, as a
child, "Denis. "
1t is all so unexpected, so terrible, be-
cause OF TIE hopelesness that must follow
it, that Denis stands besid, her as one
stricken dumb All his being had rushed
TO her as the sound of that loved voice CALI
ing on him fell upon his ear; and it is
by superhuman effort alone that lie now
stands beside her, irreSponsive, motionless;
oh the sweetness Of those parted lips! The
lovelght in the deep gray eyes! Once
again it is old Norah who is with him-his
darling-his Duchess.
And then there is an end OF il. He drops
her hand and turns away, and, leaning his
arms upon the chimney piece, lets his face
fall forward upon them.
''You herer' says the Duchess, now in q
tone that trembles. She has sprung TO her
feet AMI is wide awake staring at his back
with astonishment that is half fear shining
in her eyes. II thought you were in Ban
don?'
~ could not stay there l could not
rest"
''Rut Mt this tour," glancing at tho
clock, which points TO two. "There was
no tra'ug"
"Stly one moment, A" oxcllims he, turn
ing his haggard face toward her. 'You
know what brought me back You know
why l could not re t. Your ordinary cold
ness was bad enough TO bear, but to feel
that | had angered you, wounded you past
forgiveness-that you had actually denied
me pardon-was intolerabe. | have come
back TO ask you again, entreat you to put
your hand in mine and try TO forget what
have DONE
''Lct it be as you wish then, says she,
with a sad cold little glance, and with a
touch of WEAKNESS in her tone. 81 shall
| try TO forget. Put tuning suddenly up
TO his large mournful eyes, IF only might
go home"
A pause.
"You are unhappy here'" asks he at
| last.
81 am. ! confess it, l." with desper.
ate attempt at an everyday manner miss
| dad, think. want him, oh, so badly ~
with n sharp burst of grief.
'Well, you shall go, Norah. We have
no right TO keep you. But YOU know your
| father is coming here the day after TO.
morrow, and after a little while you can
return with him.
"That will all take too long" cries she,
| feverishly. II don't want b IN to come;
want TO go home TO him-to be alone with
| him"
Put" questioningly, "must it be a,
onces'
''As soon as possible. At once, yes;
mean-to-morrow, in a nervous, uncer.
tain way, trifing ahsently with an orna-
ment on the table near her.
''Not tomorrow, I'm afraid" coldly.
"You must try with a rush Of reproacn.
full anger, Ito curb your mad haste TO b,
rid of us for day or two. / can telegra pt
20 your father in the morning to expec,
| you, but there are one or two things | must
see to before / can take you back to Bally
hinch."
''You take me- YOU Oh, no; you
must not; you shall not, +" vehemently. 81
can 60 back alone.
Certainly you cannot" decidedly. 81
brought you here, and am responsible fol
| your safe return. shall most undoubtedly
&C ompany you.
81 tell you YOU shall not" in sore dis
tress. The cruel meaning in Katherine
! Cazalet's face recurs TO her, like a stab al
this moment. "Do not insist on this
Denis. Understand me when | say" GO
ing nearer 10 him and speaking in a low
voice. hut with intense excitement, THAI
rather than have you as my escort hone
would even prefer o remain here "
Even! ] thank you for both my mother
and myself, ;" says he with bitter laugh
''We may, indeed, congratulate ourselve,
on the success Of our efforts to make youl
stay happy one. "
''Do not say such thngs 70 me" say,
she. her eyes filling with tears "Yor
know well how love your mother ~
She is standing close TO him, looking up.
ward with a grieved expression on hel
charming face. Her pretty, naked. rounde
arms, hang loosely before her, the fingers