Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-08-21

week passed swift yet Slow ly
Nora watched the days. with 4 dim senS
that she was committing herself deepe
and deeper.
The accounts from Chedworth wer
worse and better alternately, and consid
ering his rela tons with the sufferer. Mars
den felt bound to go down to his sistert
est in Mrs. Ruthven.
His short absence was of use, for Nor1
missed him, and recognized what a charmf
ing companion he could be. There was, il
short. not one reasonable reason for ret
fusing to be his wife. and. no doubt. AZ
soon as she had pledged herself to him
other hopes and new duties would hei9
her to forget q folly she ought to hav'
surmounted long ago.
A letter from him to Mrs. l. LEstranSi
gave a greatly improved account of Mrs
Ruthven. She had really taken that tur4
for the better for which her attendants
had so eagerly watched. Marsden hims
self would come up by the night train, anf
see them next day.
"Now be sure you receive MIN weit
Nora" said her step-mother, smiling. y
think you have tried him enough
"If you only knew how hard 1t 10 te
make up my mind on such tremendoW
TO be or not 10 be-"
"Still, you cannot keep Mr.. MarsdeI
waiting. 1t is as tremendous question
10 him too! Will you write to Bea whil?
l am out, and give fraulein minute and
clenr directions US to their Journey on ths
10th? You know If she can make mis-
take she will. promised TO be with Mad
anne Kennett at half-past eleven. ana ~
Is eleven now. If miss my appointment
l do not know when l shall get my dress,
and she left the room.
During her brief absence some notes am
letters by the second post were brouGh
up; IN invitation or two. hasty Iette
from Nora's German friend respecting
an engagement just offered to her, ane
another letter with foreign stamp fol
Mrs. L'Estrange-Noraf felt almost sure
was from Mark Winton.
While she looked, Mrs. L'Estrange re
turned. Nora took up the letter am
handed it to her.
"Ahw she exclaimed. opening it hastily
and glancing through the contents grave
ly, Then looking through the window she
exclaimed: "The cab is waiting; there
dear, you can read It." Leaving the let
ter In Nora's hand, she went quickly dowI
stairs.
Dear Mrs. L'Estrange," ran the lines
81 am much obliged for yours. but sorrJ
to find Lady Dorrington has SO serious
Sase on her hands. / was afraid Mrs
Ruthyen would feel the effect of such 8
shock as she has had; but after tive
months it is curious she has not thrown
off. trust she will pull through; she al
ways struck me as tough little womaD
In spite Of her fragile airs.
81 have been extremely uncertain as te
my own plans. l am tempted to start oD
with my friends back to 1ndia next week
On the whole, my long-expected holiday
has been a disappointment However, at
ter mature reflection, l have decided te
return to London; whether / stay out th'
full time of my leave, or cut 1t short ant
start at once, will altogether depend or
what find there. l suppose you under
stand this? Has Bea Joined you yet
Perhaps I may have the pleasure of seeing
her at the pantomime. If l do, what
Jolly pantomime it will be to me!
"Remember me to Miss L'Estrange, an
believe me, yours most sincerely,
MARK WINTON."
"OhI yes; it is clear enough. Helen
Iike myself, has hesitated, and he Is re
turning for her final decision. l wonder
IL she has taken this method of informing
me? 1t is rather we'll done. Probably my
engagement would facilitate matters, and
we might both live happy ever after! Why
not? Helen and Mark Winton deserve II
How constant and true he has been. Thai
In his character, though. What perfect
trust one could have in him. How good
he will be to his little step-daughter. What
a funny tumble of relationships. Shall ]
be his step-daughter. too? No, no; neithei
in fact nor fiction can l ever be anything
to him, nor does it matter. Oh! no, mol
could / have any pleasanter. more disin
terested partner for life than Clifford
Marsden. / ought to be thankful for SC
fair a lot. l shall soon grow to love him
I love him already-a little. l wish he
would come; l shall not tease him any
more. I will be very good-very good
he deserves it. Perhaps, when Helen goei
70 India. she will leave Beatrice with me
she Is too old TO go out just now. de
hone she will; shall then have little BIZ
of the old home to cling to. Oh! how hap
py. how happy the last year has been. til
my blind eyes were opened. What a fool
Ish, conceited girl have been. Yes, vii
marry Clifford-dear Clifford: he will h,
very dear to me soon, and then shall b'
happy again. How intolerable unhappi |
ness is. If could but throw 1t off,
She wiped away the tears which woulc |
spring to her eyes: she put away Win
toms letter.and setting out her writing
things, resolutely fastened her attention
on the directions she had promised to senf
Bea's little Kindergartnerin.
When about half through her task the
door was opened by the clerical-lookins |
master OF the house, who solemnly an
nounced MIR. Marsden- Nora sprung |
up with a movement OF genuine pleasure