Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-08-01

cry for? Yet the tears did come. DOM
know why"
Clifford felt in some vague WAY fat
tered by her tears.
linen you have thought of me. Nora?
Can you decide? Will you try to love me,
and be my wife?"
YES she returned quietly and dis
tlnctly. Il am sure shall love you as
you deserve. l am growing fond of you
Already l missed you so much yesterday
ana the day before, and looked forward to
seeing you, and now am quite happy you
nave come-that is love, suppose?" smil-
ing archly and frankly.
dearest" returned Marsden, with
quick sigh, kissing her hand before he re-
leased it. "For Gods sake, spare Inc such
arguments! You only prove how much
you have to learn. However, your prom
Use to be mine is all l 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 again
and said softly, solemnly: II do, indeed,
promise to be your wife and to love YOU"
Sweetest, kindest!' cried Marsden, bis
face aglow with joy. zone word more
when? There is no need for useless &C.
lays. When, Nora?"
Il will not marry before the fifteenth Of
next February" she said with decision.
"But, Nora, that is more than two
months off"
Every little more than two"
''And why not before?"
"On the fifteenth of February shall be
p, and l want to settle part of what
possess on Helen and Bea. Did ! not
tell you once?"
''Yes, yes, of course; and quite right
too; but your marriage need not prevent
that. I shall assist you in making this
settlement"
eyes; but | would prefer making it
while l am my own mistress"
"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 is my signet, and l
fancy it seems more like taking possession
when you wear the crest of my house."
''That is a curious fancy" said Nora, as
she let him slip his onyx seal ring on her
slender finger. 'Your best title is my
free consent"
''It is free?" he asked. "You don't know
how I have longed and schemed for this
moment! I never felt so doubtful of sue
cess before. l never could make sure of
you! Even now, Nora, you do not love
as l want to be loved. l feel that keenly.
But have your promise, and you cannot
hold back your affection from one who
hungers and thirsts for it as l do! You
are the one supreme good of life to me,
and I 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 Dorrngton's dance in June! At
| that time l was a mere child!
NEARLY six months ago! 1t is an age!
! Do YOU remember the night of that infer
nal ball of mine when you accused me of
taking too much champagne? l knew
than that l could not bear to exist with
out you, and pressed you to my heart in
| the waltz l would have done so if death
| had been the penalty. Then l felt want
| ed to carry you away from every one-to
| be mine-mine alone"
"And why-why do you care for ME SO
much?" cried Nora, uneasily; his vehe-
mence displeased her, she scarce knew:
why.
'How can 1 tell?' he returned more
calmly. 'Some witchery 1 could neither
resist nor explain" There was pause,
and Nora went to the writing table ard
began to look over her letter. Il 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 | was here, and she has perhaps
kept away"
"Then let me go and find her; she will
be pleased
.'Yesw interrupted Marsden. "She is a
| nice, charming creature, and my good
| friend. but do not seek her yet l have
! thousand things to say Must you finish
that letter.
eyes, indeed! I shall only be very few
minutes; it is about Bea and her travels:
days"
While she wrote, Marsden leaned over
high-backed chair and gazed at her,
and then they glided into talk of the flu
ture. He was full of pleasant projects, of
travelling, of spending few months ut
| Vienna. of a cruise in the Mediterranean,
of everything save residing at swee. Ewes
leigh.
"Now 1 really will look for Helen.'
cried Nora, moving toward the door.
| Narsden interposed between her and it.
"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 a
strange feeling of compassion.
''rhen give me one unstinted kiss he
cried passionately; Il want more than
mere words"
ooh, yes! 1 will, indeed-to-morrow,'
she said, feeling curiously averse to yield,
vet not liking to refuse.
| ..Good God! tomorrow! Was ever such
answer given to a lover? No; now-now,
or I will think you only mock mel
He caught her in his arms, and, holding
| her head against his 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 so vehemently to get free that he let
| her go.
| .fsl;eordi Cousinv she exclaimed,