Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-09-11

ing too readily yielded to persuasion, to
her overeager desire to throw off the pain
and shame of caring for a man who pre-
ferred another. Besides, what would
Winton himself think if, after telling
him she was to marry Marsden, she de-
clared herself free? Probably that she
was heartless jilt.
No, there was but one way for her t.
walk in; she must lock up her secret and
her sufferings in her own heart: leave
Winton to conquer his fancy for herself,
which n strong, sensible man, as he was,
no doubt soon would; forget him quickly
If possible; marry Mnrsden and love him,
or seem to love him, and do everything
for him in the spirit of affection till love
came. Oh! would it come? And if it did /,
would she not be a traitor to her true, first
love? Destiny was too potent for her; she
could only conquer by bearing her fate!
Meantime, Lady Dorrington made no
sign. The society papers announced that
Mrs Ruthven had sufficiently recovered
to remove to TorQuay, where she had
taken Lord GN's beautiful villa, and
added hint that "as we asserted some
time since, there was no truth In the re-
port that she was about to contract an
alliance with q certain squire of high de-
cess as a sportsman, yachtmnn and man
of the world, could not insure that other
and greater success which, no doubt, was
dearest to him of all"
Mrs. L'Estrangc and Nora both watch
ID with uneasness for some token o.
amity from Lady Dorrington, and tho
seeming estrangement of his only sister
greatly increased Nora's reluctance to be.
come Marsden's wife.
Nothing however, can put the drag or
times chariot wheels; the days went BY
swiftly yet heavily. Nora was surprised
| how few opportunities she found for be-
lin. alone with Mrs. L'Estrange. She
| iIonged to ascertain what ties had existed
between Mark Winton and her step
mother. Yet she never had a chance for
| leading up to that subject. 1t was one
respecting which she could not ask a sim
pie. straight ht-forwurd question, and she
never was long enough alone with Mrs.
lL'Estrange to approach the topic with
ma asked batteries.
Marsden was constantly with them, al
WAYS charming, obliging, sympathetic
md it needed all Nora's tact and ingenuity
| to avoid the frequent tete-a-tete inter.
views he was perpetually contriving, to
escape his caresses, from which she
shrunk with a sort of dread she was her.
self ashamed of.
/ Sometimes she could not conceal this
shrinking from him, and it filled him
with an angry despair, that called forth
her deepest remorse, and obliged her tc
atone so amply, that Marsden was once
uore joyous and hopeful.
| IF you knew all you have cost me!
he would sometimes cry, "all l have
risked for you, you would not cut me tc
the soul, with this accursed cold prudery
Not that l would hesitate to pay any
price that would make you mine; but
sometimes doubt you have any heart Il
give"
Then Nora would tremble, and assure
him how dear his happiness was to her
and take his hand in hers. and stroke 4
with gentle kindness, and Marsden woult
become reasonable once more.
For Bea, this was a heavenly interva
of treats and toys, the circus and thu
lpanorama Indeed, as at the harvest o
the sugar-cane, all came in for a share o
sunshine and good things. and at time
mora wondered at her own insensibilit!
Iaud ingratitude-
| Ito be continued)