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


complained of want of vitality.
Ali this time. in gray-foggy London
Marsden's wooing prospered, and Nors
grew quite accustomed to his daily pres
ence.
He was himself cautious and seif-re
strained. He took care not again to star
tie her by such a passionate outburst al
had disturbed her on the day she had ac'
cepted him. He watched with lnhnl'e
care and tact his opportunity for winning
a caress. and fattered himself he wal
daily advancing in her affection, ana oe'
coming more necessary, yet there came az
intervals torturnE spasUs OF DOUBT "hen
ii was borne in upon him that he WAS only
liked. endured and slightly feared; such
moments made him savage, cXactins, UNI
reasonable. He stroVc hard to resist
these moods. knowing well how much OF
what be had built up with infinite car'
they undid.
Through all, Nora was 50 sweet, so pa
tient. 50 compliant, that he grew more pas
sionately fond of her day by day, even
while he longed for her 10 show him some
caprices, some little tyrannies indicative
of pleasure in her sense of power oVei
him. She did not love him yet-not yet
but she would be true 10 him, and love
him. and love would come.
On one point Nora was steady: she
would not marry till she had attained heI
twenty-first year. and on this MarsdeD
was obliged To give way. As their mar
riage WAS not to take place Immediately
he was anxious it should not be talked
about There was no use in bringing
storm of congratulations and questions
upon them before the time. but he prom
ised 70 speak TO Lady DorrinSton on the
subject as soon rs he could intrude on hei
duties to her sick guest.
You ought to tell her before anyone
else. Clifford" urged Nora.
\ fortnight had slipped away. and as
yet 10 whisper Of Marsden's engagement
had got abroad.
There was Il" one in town, and Mrs
and Miss LEstrange were scarcely
known in MaISden's world.
Mrs. I'EstranEc was much and mos
acrceahlv occupied with her little dauSh
ter. and pleased with her surroundings
making quietly the meanwhile pr"pdra
tinns for the anticipated event, and had
little time to notice how pale and thIn
Nora had grown. that her face looked al
ewes. that she started neryOusiy II sud
denly spoken To. and that her hands held
nothing very steadily. All seemed tc
promise fair and well. In the midst OF
this contentment Winton arrived from
Florence graver and gaunter than ever.
1t happened that the day he first called
Marsden had received from his sister ap
earnest request To go to her at once. and
he had started. intending TO visit Ewes
leigh on his way back. Mrs. l. Estrangt
had been a little puzzled 10y Marsden' s
wish to let EvCslci-h; she had no idea thai
retrenchment was 50 necessary 10 him
Still, neither she nor her stcp-daughtei
saw anything to object to in the PROPOSE
ton. Indeed, Nora thought she would
prefer travelling with him to settling down
in the country; she was moreover most
anxious that he should clear his estate
and retrieve his fortunes.
1t seemed to her, she knew not why
fortunate that Clifford should have been
called away rs Mark Winton came. She
Iongei to hear him talk with her step
mother, once-just once-in the old, quiet,
sensible way, without interruption. When
Marsden was present she was never quite
at ease; she felt he was watching her
that he was ever on the lookout for hel
notice or her avoidance. She dreaded
sighting him, and feared the passionate
delight which any little show of kindnes:
ON her part excited To he still and tran
nuil for an evening or two was very
charming: though she was distressed tC
find what pleasure il gave her TO heal
Winton's deep, somewhat harsh voice, tc
listen even 10 his most tritilng remarks
When-when would he speak TO Helen,
and put another final barrier between
them? The all-absOrbing topic of hel
own engagement had prevented any ami
madversion ON Winton's letter; moreover
as Helen did not make any remark re
specting it, Nora did not like to broac'
the subject
1t was late. and Bea was beginning tc
say good -night-a process which usually
lasted some time-when Winton appear
ed He had only arrived that evening
and apologized for intruding SO late.
Beatrice, of course, greeted him rap
turously, and her departure to the realmi
of sleep was postponed. When she hat
disappeared, and they were quiet, WintoI
looked round the room and said:
1T is almost like being at Brookdale
only | miss some of the furniture ans
ornaments"
And the room is smaller" added Mrs
L'Estrange.
Have you been ill:" were his mex
words, addressed to Nora, with an earnes
look.
NO! Why DO you ask? Do l look i'll ?
Il think You do. London does not agree
with you"
Il have a slight cold, scarce worth men
uUHIng, she returned.
Wiuton slowly withdrew his eyes from
her and. after looking down for IA minute
in silence, began to talk of Mrs. Ruth
ven and her illness, her relapse, and he
final recovery. Then he spoke of goin:
TO see his uncle in Yorkshire; and the.
glidcd easily from one subject to another
On rising to say goodnight he aske'
Mrs. L'Estrancc at what hour he shoul
find her next day.
Il don't think shall be in much befor
noon. | have a dreadful business befor
me in n visit to the dentist with poor iitti
Bea, and we are TO ransack Cremers 10
some reward to encourage her droopin
spiritsI But, about four, you will find !
at tea"
Very well,'' he returned, and bid ther
goodnight
Il do not think you arc looking so il
Nora said Mrs. LEstrange, when h
had gone.
--Uh, mol 1t was only Mr.. Winton'
fancy. There is nothing really the matte
with me-.
As soon as Mrs. L'Estrange with Be
and her governess had departed, after a
early luncheon, Nora took a book ana
comfortable corner of the sofa, deter
mined to think only of the story, whic
was interesting and well told. She fel
unaccountably weary, and was not AT a
surprised that Winton should hav
thought her looking i'll. What an ungrate
tul unaccountable creature she was! DO