Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-08-14

-'SAN "Ouiu hot Until Bue was
If Nora married Marsden, she felt sur,
he would be kind and generous. He wal
peculiarly sympathetic. 1t was this tina
gave him more than half his attraction
He always conveyed the idea that he wa.
really glad to help any one. His detesta
ton of everything unpleasant or painful
gave him an air of kindness that imposed
even on himself.
Yes, If Nora would consent, Bea's fu
ture was secure, and why should she not
A better, or indeed happier, marriage
could not be found. Why Nora was moi
TRANCE could not understand, and set 1,
down to one of the inscrutable mysterie,
If young undeveloped nature.
Nora, too, was thoughtful, and the even
Ing passed almost in silence: casionally
each spoke a few words, and then fell
into fit of rnus:ng. The spell, however
was broken by the entrance of tho ser
~ant with note for Mrs. L'Estrange.
The messenger waits, 'm."
81 will ring in minute or two," saii
Mrs. L'Estrange. opening the envelope.
ut is from Mr.. Marsden, Nora" she
exclaimed. He wants to see mo alone
tomorrow morning."
"Indeed"
II uppose"-smiling- wants to Sc.
cure your vote and interest"
They are his already" A pause. "Wha'
shall 1 say, NoraT'
Whatever you choose"
Then l shall see him"
She rose, went to the writing table, and
penned few lines. and sent them to
Marsden's messenger.
Il imagine that Mr.. Marsden will not be
easily turned from his purpose. And I
hope, Nora, you will not too thoughtlessly
refuse SO sincere and disinterested u
lover"
"Oh! know all that can be urged in his
favor" said Nora, rather impatiently
land he Is very nice-only-I think l
should like to be Nora L'Estrange for
some time longer. l have seen SO little.
How could 1 manage a great establish
ment like Evesleigh House? l am half
afraid of that awful housekeeper. And
the squire himself likes everything to be
80 perfect-so elegant-he might regret his
own haste in wanting to marry such a
halffedsed creature as l am"
Mora, dear Nora! this humility is 9
new Development
Il know what am fit for, and am moi
humble, but 1 do not want to attempt
what is likely to be too much for me.
There, don't let US talk about Clifford any
more-at least till you have seen him to
morrow"
Promise me not to refuse him without
due reflection"
mo. 1 am too undecided to do that.
But it rather awful to think that, having
once said yes one cannot unsay it."
Mrs. L'Estrange need scarcely have rec
commended Nora to reflect on Marsden's
offer. She was haunted by the recollec-
ton Of his words, his voice, his eyes. 1t
is true that he kept himself well in hand,
and kept back many a passionate express
sion that rushed to his lips. Neverthe-
less, he had impressed Nora very deeply
with the conviction that she was very es-
sential to him. 1t rather weighed her
down with a vague sense of alarm. What
was she to do with this tremendous gift Of
love?-so strong that his voice trembled
IN spite of his efforts to be steady, when
he described it, and his heart throbbed
fast and hard when he pressed her hand
for moment against it. Ought she con-
denim one who was SO tenderly attached
to her to suffer the pangs Of disappolnt-
ment and rejection, because she had a
morbid fancy for another who did not care
for her? And with the thought came a
suggestion that sent thrills of pain ouiy.
ering through her veins. Had the same
words and tones and looks been Winton's
how differently she would have responded
by cultivating gratitude to Mars
den, and giving herself up to his efforts to
please and win her. she would succeed in
loving him; and then she would make him
happy and be happy herself. What a so.
luton of all difficulties that would be!
Perhaps it would be the right thing to do.
How hard it was to know what was right
the tears welled up, as she
thought with regretful compassion of the
strong emotion Marsden had displayed
surely such affection constituted a claim
upon any kindly heart. Yet she ardently
wished he had not taken such a fancy to
her. So, after struggling with contra.
dictory thoughts for half the night, she
fell asleep toward morning, with a half.
uttered prayer to be directed Alright upor
her lips.
Mrs. LEstrange received Marsden cor.
dially and cheerfully. She did not doubt
for a moment that Nora, having recovered
her first startled surprise at his une1pect-
I'd proposal, would marry him willingly,
Is it was natural she should: and she was
anxious he should see how very heartily
she was on his side.
81 feel sure 1 have a friend in you,"
we're almost his first words, after he had
shaken hands with her warmly, I'VE were
always allies since your first appearance
1t Brookdale."
"Yes, Mr.. Marsden, you were always
welcome to my husband and to me-"
Mora has told you Of the start gave
,er," interrupted Marsden, who was abb
,orbed in his own projects. ~ feel have
been too abrupt. In short, having been
pretty far gone about her nearly ever since
we met last spring, fancied she must
see it, and to be candid, her blindness
suggests that she may be preoccupied by
some luckier fellow than myself. Am
right?"
"You ought to ask her, Mr.. Marsdea"
"And seem a conceited jackanapes by
implying that only a previous attachment
would have prevented her falling in love
With me2"
Mrs. LEstrange smiled.
81 do not think Nora Is disposed to fall
In love very readily. Then there was no
NE for her to fall in love with"
Some women might fancy WlntOn.
II do not think Nora did. Indeed, they
never seemed to take much to each other.
of late"
"well. Mrs. LEstranse. you will back
me up? l may depend on you"
you may. How did you and Nors
,artT'
"Oh, she was anxious to get rid Of me;
could see that, but / told her l would not
take her first No. nor her second either!
Mrs. L'Estranse, I am determined thai
Nora shall be my wife,"
mot against her willr'
mo; that would be too ungallant," re-
turning to his usual light tone; but with
her will"
sTsks my advice; wait a few days BE-