Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-06-05

81 am glad l am not your maid, 70
have the care of such precious gems,
said Nora smiling.
MY dear Miss L'Estrange! What an
idea! When you marry and have jewels
of your own, you will know how to take
care of them. Bring tea, NirSinie; brlnf
II quickly
And Mrs. Ruthven applied herself tc
put the papers and letters lying on the
table together with considerable method.
''What a charming view" said Nora,
strolling to the window. DO you know
! never was in these rooms before. 1hey
were Mrs. Marsden's. and used not to be
opened. ut least, when l was here as
child"
Mrs Ruthven looked down thoughtful.
~. "These rooms are over the library,
are they not?" she asked, ION the same
side as the conservatory? l would rath-
er look out in any other direction. l shall
not soon get over the impression of last
nights terror
Here Virginie brought in the tea, ana
Mrs Ruthven, settling herself in n large
arm chair, asked Nora to pour it out
.'None of them will tell me any par
ticulars about how l was found, or what
happened" resumed Mrs. Ruthven. Il
fancy that gruff old doctor ordered me to
be kept from speaking of it. But you
will not be so unkind! Besides, l am not
to be kept from thinking of my misad-
venture by his dictum. Tell me. dear
Miss L'Estrange, We're you there when
Mr.. Marsdcn first found me!'
'Yesi l was in the breakfast-room
when he was trying to break away from
an old gentleman who would keep talking
to him, and l heard him say he wanted
TO take you an ice"
"And them
'Oh, then Mr.. Winton proposed we
should go and look at the tent; but when
we came TO the conservatory, the door
was shut and locked. Mr.. Marsden was
looking angry and bewildered. Then he
suddenly remembered the way by the
corridor, and we saw him go past and
return imediately to call for help. So
Helen, Mrs. L'Estrange and l went in.
She raised your arm, you were lying like
q dead creature. and began to fan you"
'And who lifted me from the divan ~
looking hard at Nora.
"No one; at least, not while 1 was
there"
Not Mr.. Marsden?"
"Oh. no! He looked so white, so dread
fully distressed. He stood behind Helen,
and kept begging her TO see if you were
hurt. Then the doctor came and sent
every one away except the Squire and
Lady Darlington"
"Yes! Hers was the first face I recog
rized. and then Lady Dorrington and the
doctor helped me upstairs? 1t is strange,
cannot quite account for it."
For what, Mrs Ruthven?"
"Oh. nothing: only n curious imprcs
sion that some one had lifted me up
some effect of returning consciousness. I
suppose
She fell into n fit of musing.
From this she reused to ask a good
many questions about Winton and his old
friendship with Mrs. L'Estrange, giving
Nora a sensation of being gently but
thoroughly sifted. Moreover, one or two
significant looks and words conveyed tho
alarming idea that the clear-sighted wild
ow suspected Winton of admiring Nora,
or Nora of admiring Winton, which made
that saucy young lady vexed and un-
easy.
"Well, ] suppose I must let her co.
said Mrs. Ruthven, as Nora rose to es-
cape further cross examination. 1T Is
so good Of you to come and sit with me.
In truth, l was glad to get rid even of
dear Lady Darlington, as no one would
talk naturally, or let me speak of what
is uppermost in my mind
"I shall come and say good-by to yol
to morrow" returned Nora. Il earnestly
hope you will soon shake off your nervous
ness, though you are wonderfully brave
and composed
Mrs Ruthven went with her to the
door. and then again sunk into the fau-
tcuil, where she remained for some time
In deepest thought.
Nora L'Estrange attracted her curiosi
ty, her evident admiration and liking
soothed the little lady's inordinate vani-
ty, while it overpassed her comprehen-
sion; she was too keen an observer to be-
lieys 1t was altogether put on, still she
occa asionally doubted her sincerity, SO
contrary was a woman's honest apprecia-
tion of another woman. to all her pre-
vious experience.
Nora's pleasant, varying voice and
frank looks had n certain charm for her.
even while she feared their effect on
Marsden. They gave the hard, selfish,
fiery, material creature glimpses of possi-
bic sweetness that would never cloy, of
restful affection free from all dross OF
passion or self-interest. But, perhaps,
the strangest sensation excited by Nora,
was resentful envy, not of the girls fresh,
youthful good looks, but of her free, un-
trammeled spirit; every word, every atti-
tudc. was unstudied, spontaneous; she
wanted so little, her simple, poverty
stricken life. n Mrs. Ruthven considered
it, seemed so Joyous and satisfying, she
appeared to have no craving for rank OK
riches or jewels. Life, pure, healthy
existence, was enough; she had nothing
to strive after, or scheme for, or want
from others. at least, so she seemed-ay,
seemed-but who could tell what lurked
under the seeming? She must have her
cravings, her hidden passions, which she
dared not show the world. What was
she? What difference was there between
her human flesh and that Of other women
No. she was as yet but half developed,
md how often childish simplicity was but
the outer garb of cunning!
There was something in Nora
IiEstrange that puzzled and disturbed
Mrs. Ruthven. If she could have found
her guilty of any vicious folly,
she might have liked her better than she
ever liked anything except a lover. As
It WIS, the balance trembled between lik'
Ing and hatred.
"She does not care for Marsden,
thought Mrs. Ruthven, her supple form
crouched together, her chin resting in one
palm, her elbow on her knee, she hat
some unacountable fancy for that cold
scoruful, insolent Winton. But Mars
zen himself! / am not so sure ABOUT
him He has not often encountered In
difference 1t may be attractive. How
ever, IL she cares for Winton-ah! my
difficulties are growing complicated.
must think. If the faint, vile suspicious
that have come to me prove correct now
shall 1 act? Oh, 1 will punish, punlsi
bitterly! But 1 will secure my OBJECT
%o!'
Then she sprung up and rang for hel
maid. :,