Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-08-08

e. ~ no! 1t was only Mr. Winton's
iancy. There is nothing really the matter
with me-"
AS soon as Mrs. L'Estrange with Bea
ana ner soVerness had departed, after an
curry luncheon, Nora took a book and
comfortable corner of the sofa, deter
nineo 10 tnlnk only of the story, which
was interesting and we'll told. She felt
unaccountably weary, and was not at all
surprised that Winton should have
tnought her looking ill. What an migrate
iui' unaccountable creature she was! How
happy most girls would be, in her place!
Dut she was going to read, and not think
coout herself SO, with an effort, she
s e., ner attention on the page before her
one mad not read long, when the unexpect-
eo announcement of "Mr. Winton' made
ner neart stand still. Why-why had he
come so early She started up in haste,
ana went to meet him, reading in his OBJ
servant eyes the same questioning ex-
preston which had struck her the evening
before
Il am afraid Helen will not be in just
yet said Nora, with friendly smile.
Yes, l know l am rather early, but,
II don't interrupt you, will wait" re-
turned Winton, speaking more rapidly
than usual. He drew chair near her
sofa, laying his hat on the floor, but still
holding his stick, with which he seemed
to trace the pattern of the carpet. "How
is your cold-betterY'
Yes, thank YOU"
| When do you return to Brookdale?"
Our plans are very uncertain" return
ed Nora, coloring, for she knew it was
Marsden's wish they should remain in
town and have very quiet wedding.
How she wished some one would tell
him she was engaged to Clifford! There
was pause while Nora sought in vain
for something to say.
did Mrs. L'Estrange tell you 1 was
inclined to go off straight to India with
Colonel and Mrs. Romer?'
eyes, she did,
''But felt could not go without trying
my luck in London. May tell you why ~
"He is going to confde in me-" thought
Nora.
''Certainly, Mr.. Winton," she said very
| kindly. perhaps I have some idea why
already"
prise.
"You may have, though I doubt it,
Another pause, then with an evident effort
Winton began, growing more composed
and collected as he went on. "You may
think me presumptuous ass, but I will
not lose the faintest chance for any false
pride. Miss L'Estrange, though we have
always been good friends, especially when
first knew you, acknowledge you have
never given me any hope that you would
ever let me be more than friend. And
lately have imagined, or rather felt, that
that ought to have been enough to silence
me, but, you see, when a mans future
hangs on Yes or No. it is hard to be
content with uncertainty, and there is
degree of sympathy between us on some
subjects. In short, l cannot leave with
out asking if there is any hope for me-
for" looking straight at, her with SOL
emnity, Il love you WE'LL"
"Me!' exclaimed Nora, who had listened
in increasing amazement. ''Are you sure
you mean me!'
'Who else could mean?''
"Mr. Winton," rising to her feet in the
agony of that terrible moment, and white
even to her lips, II have promised to
marry Clifford Marsden in February
Winton also rose and stood before her,
grim, dark expression gathering in his
face.
81 never anticipated this''-he broke off
abruptly. "Then l have only to apologize,
which l do most humbly, for having in
truded myself and my feelings on you.
shall trouble you no more"
There was moments silence.
II am grieved to grieve you," said Nora,
in a voice so low and trembling that she
scarce heard herself.
Il believe it, you have kind, true
heart. l was presumptuous in hoping to
win it, God grant Marsden may make
you happy! None can wish you all posi-
bic prosperity more warmly than | do.
Pray forget that l have momentarly dis
tressed YOU" He paused, and looked at
her ntently. "Nora, you are faint? You
tremble, you can hardly stand"
He made a movement as if to catch and
support her.
mo, nor she exclaimed. "You must go
you must leave mel
81 must indeed" returned Winton. He
took and gently kissed her hand, said soft
ly, II will never intrude on you again.
Good-by, dear, good-by!' seized his hat,
and was gone Then Nora sunk upon the
sofa and buried her face in her hands, her
heart filled with the blacklist despair. If
he had come but three weeks, even fort
night ago! What was to become of her?
Was there no escape? Could she bring
him no comfort? The pain in his voice
still vibrated on her ear. Even if she
could break with Clifford-he, too, loved
her WELL and she would not willingly
hurt him; but oh! how her heart ached
for Mark Winton! There was no music
in his voice, but what a ring of truth and
sincerity His words were few and sim
pie compared to Clifford's eloquence; but
what earnestness they expressed! How
did she come to believe so implicitly in
Winton's attachment to Helen? Surely
Clifford Marsden. who knew both before
Helen was married, he ought to know the
real facts.
Could Mark Winton have forsaken
Helen for her? No; that was impossible!
And various important trifes, indicative
of his interest in herself from the very
e ~, into 90 rnI