The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-06-08
CHAPTER VIII.

commune was very DSTCeptlbIe. at least
to herself. The careful watch she estab
lished over her own words ana manner
however, was too delicately exercised to be
in any way remarkable. She was bright
and frank as ever, but she slid easily
away from any approach of sentimental
subjects. though talking readily on other
topics. The chief change was an increase
of animation and & tendency to mock al
what used to touch her Mrs LEstrange
only noticed that Nora was in remarkably
good spirits.
Winton sometimes looked little sur
prlsed, and bestowed more of his CONVEX
sation on his older acquaintance than BIZ
used
The quiet weeks went by swiftly. theil
monotony broken by occasional dinners
ut the houses Of the cathedral dignitaries
at Odbridge, where Nora's songs anC
lively talk. and Mrs. L'Estrange's gentle
tact and sympathetic listening" made
I both welcome guests.
October was more than half over. ant
hunting had hcgun-a congenial amuse
ment which interfered a good deal witt
Winton's frequent visits to Brookdale
! The rapid falling of the leaves. ana &
4
/ L'Estrange think seriously Of spending
/ November and December in town-a pro
position which Nora originally urged
Mrs. Ruthven wrote at length very
amiably.
She was detained in town by business
she said. She was in treaty for a pretty
villa on the Thames, and would he de
lighted to have Miss L'Estrange's counse
and assistance when she set about fur
nishing
Mr.. Marsden had been so good in try.
ing to find her jewels, and had gone t.
Amsterdam in search of them, but all in
vain. Was he at Evcseigh: for no one
seemed TO know what had become OF
him.
DO you know, think it would be very
nice to help Mrs. Ruthyen in choosing
her furniture? Shall | tell her we are
thinking of going up to town? Perhaps
she would take rooms for us, /" said Nora.
when she had read this letter aloud al
breakfast.
My dear Nora, she would not care fo1
the trouble and what price she would
agree to give for rooms We must bc
very prudent; my little savings during
the latter part of our stay in Germany
will not go far"
"Oh, yes. | forgot. You are really a
wonderful woman, Helen; | shall never
be such an economist but as to not car
ing for the trouble | do not think yor
quite do Mrs Ruthven justice: YOU anG
Mr.. Winton are always Of the same opfn
ion. and | think You have caught his
prejudice against her
Il am not as much fascinated as you
are, and | must say. | am a good dea
| influenced by Mark Winton: when | look
| back she stopped abruptly. Nora, who
| longed to hear her "reminiscences. gazel
earnestly at her, and Mrs LEstrange
raising her eyes suddenly, encountered
those of her stepdaughter fixed upon her
! and colored through her delicate pale skin
70 Nora's great surprise. Some day
said Mrs. L'Estrange. quickly and Will
some confusion. u must tell You my ittl,
history: every one has some touch of 70
nance in their lives, even so prOSaic &
person aS | am"
DO. dear; tell it to me now
Nov? oh, no, | must interview cook
and plan the dinner; the romance of til,
past must give way to the needs of the
present, vulgar though they be; some even
ing, by the freight. | will prose about
days gone by. / is fine and calm to day
| let US give Bea 4 holiday and walk across
| the park. The meet is at Crowland Gate
and we will see the hounds throw of"
by all means. feel Us if | wanted tC
| be in the open air
! Mrs. l. EStrange went away to hel
household duties. Nora sauntered int,
the drawing room and sat down at the
piano, but she did not begin to play foI
some moments. Was il possible that hcl
quiet, uuSeltish step-mo.her had had thrill
ing experiences? She was 50 reasonable
! 30 wise in 4 simple way. that Nora coul,
never imagine the Irregularities and re
dundance which constitute romance gath
ering round her. How good she had al
ways been. even from her first entTanc,
into the family How she had stood be
tween every one and her husbands nasty
irritation; how much Nora herself owe,
TO her justice and generosity. What
good influence she had been. how mucI
she had endured from her selfish. unsym
pathetic husband. who looked upon her a.
a slave whom he had bought. and VII,
had no rights, no title to consideration
i whom he had married To be an upper ser
/ want. What life of suppression, Of care
i ful conscientious sick-uursiug she ha,
+ had without the reward Of gratitude o.
+ recognition, From how much She ha,
saved Nora herself, How strong an,
! patient she had been
If l can reward her | will" though
Nora. Il do hope Bca will be a good
loving child: She is like my father. hi
no woman would be a. selfish ana trou
blesome as hc was, perhaps his bad healtl
made him worse. | wish l were buster
my life Is too easy; il leaves me too nucl
time 10 think, | must not think"
And she applied herself diligently to
piece of Chopin's hristling with accident
ais and Grabbed passages. till Bea, viii
a radiant face. came TO tell her it wa
! time To get ready.
The walk through Evcsleigh Wood
and across the park was delightful
was a soft autumnal morning, slight,
lvadeH in rolorinE, like one Of Wouvur
mans landscapes, as if nature gent,
mourned her departed youth. the pine
and larches gave out their aromatic odors
the ground was thickly >trewn with red
wifhered leaves from the beech trees. f.
which EyeSleigh was famous and whel
the trio reached Crowland Gate whicl
opened on a wide common where tn
woods ended and an underground a
hruShwood and furze afforded abundan
cover. tolerahle field had assembled, In
not many spectators. The rector's dauEh
tiers on horseback. the curate's little chill
aren. with their governeSs. on foot. H.
bankers wife from 0ldhridge. in hs.
smart carriage, with a couple OF visitor
from London.
Every one knew every one else. an,
i,ar Z
rode 4 powerful chestnut. with the tenn
per that color IS usually supposed u In
tail. managed to keep the fiery crcatur
still for moment beside Mrs l. Fstraug,
Very glad 10 have caught Elimp~
/ of You. l am going off tomorrow To ney
oushire, an old Indian chum Of mine Ia