Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-08-28

her heart stand still. Why-why had he
come so early She started up in haste,
end went TO meet him, reading in his OBJ
servant eyes the same questioning ex-
preston which bad struck her the evening
before.
Il am afiaid Helen will not be in just
set. said Nora, with a friendly smile.
Yes, l know l am rather early, but
1t L don't interrupt you, l will wait" re-
turned Winton. speaking more rapidly
than usual. He drew a chair near her
sofa. laying his hat on the floor. but still
holding his stick, with which he seemed
TO trace the pattern of the carpet. How
is your cold-better?
Yes, thank YOU
when do you return to BrookdaleT
"Our plans are very uncertain" return
ed Nora, coloring, for she knew it was
Marsden's wish they should remain in
town and have very quiet wedding.
How she wished some one would tell
hin she was engaged to Clifford! There
vas pause while Nora sought In vain
for something to say.
Did Mrs. LEstrange tell you I waA
inclined TO go off straight to India with
Colonel and Mrs. Romer?"
Yes, she did"
But felt l could not go without trying
my luck in London. May tell you why?"
He is going to confide in me-" thought
Nora.
Certainly, Mr.. Winton," she said very
kindly. Perhaps have some idea why
already"
Winton looked at her steadily, with sur
Prise.
You may have, though l doubt it
IL. IL. IL.
Winton began. growing more composed
and collected as he went on. "You may
think me presumptuous ass, but l will
not lose the faintest chance for any false
pride. Miss L'Estrange. though we have
always been good friends. especially when
first knew you, l acknowledge you have
never given me any hope that you would
ever let me be more than friend. And
lately | have imagined, or rather felt, that
you We're changed in some way; perhaps
that ought TO have been enough to silence
me, but, you see, when a mans future
hangs on Yes or No. it is hard to be
content with uncertainty, and there is a
degree of sympathy between us Oh some
subjects In short, l cannot leave with
out asking if there is any hope for me.
for" looking straight at her with sol
amnity, Il love you WE'LL
Me-" exclaimed Nora, who had listened
in increasing amazement. Are You sure
you mean me:'
"Who else could | meant
"Mr. Winton," rising TO her feet IN the
agony of that terrible moment, and white
aven to her lips, Il have promised to
marry Clifford Marsden in February"
Winton also rose and stood before her.
4 grim, dark expression gathering in his
face.
Il never anticipated this"-he broke off
abruptly. Then l have only to apologize
which | do most humbly. for having in
truded myself and my feelings on you. ]
shall trouble you no. more"
There was Il moments silence.
Il am grieved to grieve you" said Nora,
In voice so low and trembling that she
scarce heard herself.
Il believe it, you have kind, true
heart. | was presumptuous in hoping to
win it. God grant Marsden may make
you happyi None can wish you all possi-
BILE prosperity more warmly than | do.
Pray forget that l have momentarily dis
tressed you" He paused, and looked at
her intently mora, you are faint? You
tremble. you can hardly stand"
He made a movement as if to catch and
support her.
NO, no. she exclaimed. "You must go
you must leave me-
Il must indeed" returned Winton lie
took and gently kissed her hand, said soft
ly, Il will never intrude on you again.
Ciood-by. dear, good-byi' seized his hat,
and was gone. Then Nora sunk upon the
sofa and buried her face in her hands her
leart filled with the blackest despair. If
be had come but three weeks, even n fort
night ago! What was to become of her?
Was there no escape? Could she bring
him no comfort? The pain in his voice
still yibrated on her ear. Even if she
could break with Clifford-he, too, loved
her well, and she would not willingly
hurt him; but oh! how her heart ached
for Mark Winton! There was no music
in his voice. but what a ring of truth and
sincerity! His words were few and SIM
pie compared to Clifford's elOquence; but
what earnestness they expressed! How
did she come to believe so implicitly in
Winton's attachment to Helen? Surely
Clifford Marsden, who knew both before
Helen was married, he ought to know the
real facts.
Could Mark Winton have forsaken
Helen for her? No; that was impossible!
And various important trifles, Indicative
of his interest in herself from the very
beginning of their acquaintance, required
to her painfully excited memory. Why
why did she allow herself to be so easily
misled? How did Clifford come to be SO
deceived? Did he indeed believe what
he asserted? Was she not base, to sus-
pect her affianced husband of trickery be-
cause she was miserable herself? And
if, as she believed only yesterday, Helen
was attached to Winton, the round of
wretchedness would be complete! Why
| had she been so precipitate: Turn which
way she would. she was hemmed in by
the misery she had caused others. How
was she to bear her life? She must let
Winton believe in her Indifference to him,
her love for MHrsden. After all. her duty
| and consideration ought TO be for the man
| she had promised to marry. when she
| thought another was preferred By the
nan she lovcdi Where could she turn for
counsel or comfort? None could give II
| to her. Her wiscst, justest course. would
be strictest silence as to Winton's amaz'
| ing avowaL. Then there would be no dis
turbance Helen would remain on the
| same friendly terms with Winton, per
haps he might learn to love her At any
rate. she had always heard that mel
never suffered long from such disappoint
| ments-
1t was ALL. all too cruel! To think thai
through a mistake so slight, so easy Il
have avoided, she had missed the roac
that led to happiness-happiness full, com
plete, soul-satisfying- made him she
loved so we'll suffer as bitterly as she die
herself!
Ii was an hour of intense, blackest de
spair, night of anguish to which there
would be no succeeding dawn. To the sor
rows, as to the joys of youth there are
no to-morrows. In grief it Indignantly
rejects the idea of consolation. of being
SO heartless as to forget, while the suG