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

1
| Dearest, returned Marsden, with .
luick sigh, kissing her hand befors he re-.
eased it. "For Gods sake. spare me such
arguments! You only prove how much
you have to learn. However, your prom.
ise to DE mine is all I ask now; assure me-
| once more that you will be my wife,"
Touched by the eager, panied pleading
of his eyes, Nora gave him her hand sYain
and said softly, solemnly: Il do. indeed,
| promise to be your wife and to love you." "
Sweetest, kindestr' cried Marsden, his
face aglow with Joy. Zone word more
when? There In no need for useless DO
lays. When, NoraT
II will not marry before the fifteenth OF
next February" she said with decision.
but, Nora, that ID more than TIVE
: months off,"
VERY little more than two"
"And why not beforer'
"On the fifteenth Of February I shall be
Il, and I want to settle part Of what
>ossess on Helen and Bea. DID l not
tell you oneeT'
"Yes, yes, Of course; and quite right,
| too; but your marriage need not prevent
Mat shall assist you in making this
settlement"
Yes: but would prefer making 1t
Wulle am my own ml6treSb
"Your own mistress! Why, you will
| always be your own mistress! But do not
| let US quarrel over details; all that will
arrange itself. Now, let me put this ring
on your finger. 1t IL my signet, and I
| fancy it seems more like taking possession
| when you wear the crest of my house."
THAT is a curious fancy" said Nora, az
she let him slip his onyx seal ring on her
slender finger your best title II MY
| free consent"
ut Is free?" he asked. "You don't know
how have longed and schemed for this
moment! I never felt 80 doubtful of sue
cess before. I never could make sure Of
you! Even now, Nora, you do not love
as I want to be loved. feel that keenly.
But have your promise, and you cannot
hold back your affection from one who
hungers and thirsts for It as do! You
are the one supreme good Of life TO me
and have waited patiently"
"Not very long," said Nora who was
touched and moved by the intense feeling
of his voice. why. Clifford, we only met
at Lady Dorrington's dance in June! Al
that time / was q mere child!'
| Nearly six months ago! 1t is m age.
| Do you remember the night Of that infer
nal ball of mine when you accused me of
| TAXING LOO uluCu CHdIipdBHe! kHe"
than that could not bear to exist with
out you. and pressed you to my heart In
the waltz. would have done so IL death
had been the penalty. Then felt want
ed to carry you away from every one-tc
| be mine-mine alone"
| "And why-why do you care for me So
| nuchT' cried Nora, uneasily; his vehe.
mence displeased her, she scarce knew
why.
"How can 1 tell?" he returned more
.almly. "Some witchery l could neither
resist nor explain! There was a pause,
and Nora went to the writing table and
began to look over her letter. I wonder
| what can have detained Helen" she said;
she ought to have returned by this time"
"She has, probably" observed Marsden.
smiling. 81 told the servant to let her
know 1 was here. and she has perhaps
kept away"
''Then let me 20 and find her; she will
be pleased"
"Yesw interrupted Marsden. "She is a
nice, charming creature, and my good
friendi but do not seek her yet. l have
a thousand things to say. Must you finish
that lettsrT
Yes. indeed! shall only be very few
minutes; 1t IL about Bea and her travels;
lays"
While she wrote. Marsden leaned over
, high-backed chair and gazed at her.
and then they glided into talk Of the f,I-
ture. He was full Of pleasant projects, of
travelling, of spending a few months at
Vienna, of a cruise In the Mediterranean.
of everything save residing at sweet Ewes.
leigh.
'Now 1 really will look for Hslenr
:ried Nora, moving toward the door.
Marsden interposed between her and 1t.
"Once more," he exclaimed, before this
heavenly hour Is ended, tell me you will
love me-that nothing shall separate US"
81 do PROMISE" said Nora, moved by
strange feeling Of compassion.
Then give me one unstinted .iss," he
cried passionately; II want more than
mere words"
"Oh, yes! I will, indeed-to-morrow,"
she said, feeling curiously averse to yield,
yet not liking to refuse
"Good God! tomorrow! Was ever such
answer given to q lover7 No: now-now,
or will think you only mock me!'
He caught her in his arms, and, holding
her head against hir shoulder, pressed his
lips to hers In an intense, passionate kiss,
while she felt the wild throbbing of his
heart against her own; but, long before
he was willing to release her, she strug
gled 80 vehemently to get free that he le. |
her go. |
Clifford! Cousinr' she exclaimed, |
standing at little distance, with crimson
cheeks and heaving bosom, you frighter |
me-!
'If you loved as I do, Moral But you
will! you will one day come and kiss me
freely, Voluntarily. "Wh, Nora! have ]
offended you so deeply7"
She made no reply. but burst into tenr' |
and fed from the room.
CHAPTER XII. |
The days of Mrs. Ruthven's dangerous |
illness were the worst and most distasteful |
Lady Dorrington had ever known. She |
was really anxious about the sufferer, and |
she was Infinitely annoyed by Marsden's J
lnfeeling Indifference. Except for the !
,ne hurried visit, he was content with .
formal daily bulletin; nor did he seem !,
much concerned If, by any accident, that
was delayed. 1t was disgracefully heart.
less as an abstract fact, and 1t would
have a final effect upon Marsden's chances
When 1t came to the knowledge OF Mira |
3uthven.
What was Clifford thinking of? Had
he discovered a mine? or had the reports
which had reached Lady Dorrington, and ,
been believed by her, a. to his extrava-
yance and embarrassment been exaeger-
ated? He was too trying! What was
keeping him In London at such a time?
Could there be any truth in the absurd
Idea that Nora L'Estrange was the at
traction-a nero nobody-slenderly dow
.red-and nothing remarkable in the way
" beauty7
H0wavar hA m wont hv
Ruthven held her ground. There was
more tenacity in the fragile-looking slen-
der little woman than people thought, and
lt lelgtb lhs was able to nit up tor few