Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-09-19
freer, she cried in joyous agitation.

-freeP' she cried in joyous agitation.
She had scarce uttered the words when
q figure started up from the chair and
Winton confronted her.
Nora stood still and dumb, the open let
ter in her hand, feeling dazed and help
less in the crushing confusion. which had
SO suddenly overwhelmed her.
''Has Marsden then released you at
your own request?" cried Winton, i'm
petuously, and coming forward quickly,
forgetting in the supreme excitement of
the moment all conventionality; while to
Nora it seemed equally natural to answer
with an emphatic Eyes, oh, yes! Where
is Helen? / thought she was here?"
$50 did l." returned Winton, recovering
his self-possession and his reserve. Il
called toto say good-by, and trust you
will forgive my inopportune presence, my
unguarded, and l fear very presumptuous,
question. My sincere interest in-in your
welfare must be my excuse"
''You are very kind, L Oh, where is
Helen? | must so and look for her." Be
fore Wilmot could stop her, had he been
so disposed, she had fed.
Winton gazed after her, an expression
Of hope and joy gradually lighting up his
somber face. She was free by her own
desire. Life might be worth living yet!
While he stood thinking, new and glow
ing views of much over which he had
often puzzled suggesting themselves, the
respectable Watson came in.
''If you please, sir, Mrs. L'Estrange
went out again, and Miss L'Estrange does
not know when she will return"
"Ah!-wel, perhaps" he hesitated.
He was dying for few words with Nora,
\ L.
her now Perhaps" he continued, Il
may find Mrs L'Estrange at home to-
morrow. l should not like to leave with
out bidding her good-by."
He had nothing for it but to take his
hat and depart.
Nora, greatly surprised at Helen's alb
sence, could not compose hels self to do
anything. She wandered to and fro from
room to room, sometimes sitting down
to fall into vague reveries. She read and
re-read Marsden's letter; its passionate
despair sobered and dismayed her. What
could have happened to make him give
her up so freely? She was deeply grieved
for him. She strove to compose letter
to him in her mind, but could not COM
mand her ideas; all she could do-and she
was ashamed of the pleasure she had in
doing twas to inclose the two rings
Marsden had given her in a neat packet
and address them to the giver-later in
the evening she would write.
At last Mrs. L Estrange returned, look
ing pale and tired.
"Oh, Helen! Where-where have you
been? cried Nora, when her step-mother
came into the room, now only partially
lighted by the glow of a good fire.
''You will hardly guessI1 have been
with Lady Darlington" And she pro-
coded to describe the telegram and her
interview.
81 think Lady Darlington is terribly
afraid you are breaking your heart, Nora.
She feels sure you have renowned Mr..
Marsden in consequence of her letter,
she is therefore quite pleased with you.
But l have wonderful piece of news.
He has absolutely engaged himself, to
Mrs Ruthven, and they are to be married
soon."
''Then that, in some way, accounts for
this letter" said Nora, handing Clifford's
letter to Mrs. L'Estrange, who read it
with surprise and regret.
Many and varied were the conjectures
of both as to what could possibly be the
mysterious necessity which influenced
Marsden; both coming, reluctantly, to the
conclusion that money must be the root
of the eyil-which was certainly Nora s
good.
ITO be continued.)