The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-07-20

want with a note for Mrs L'Estrange.
The messenger waits, m"
Il will ring in a minute or two" said
Mrs. l. Estrange. opening the envelope.
1T is from Mr. Narsden, Nora" she
exclaimed. He wants TO see me alone
tomorrow morning"
Indeed"
II uppose''-smiling- wants to Sc
cure your vote and interest"
They are his already" A pause. "What
shall | say. Nora?'
Whatever you choose"
Then | shall see him"
She rose. went 10 the writing table, and
penned a few lines, and sent them TO
Marsden's messenger.
Il imagine that Mr. Marsden will not be
easily turned from his purpose. And 1
hope, Nora, you will not too thoughtlessy
refuse 50 sincere and disinterested a
lover"
"Oh. know all that can be urged in his
favor said Nora, rather impatiently;
and he is very uice-onIy-I think
should like to be Nora LEstrange for
some time longer. | have seen so little
How could | manage a great establish
ment like Evesleigh House: | am half
afraid of that awful housekceper And
the squire himself likes everything TO be
50 perfect-so elegant-he might regret his
own haste in wanting to marry such Il
half-tiedged creature as l am"
Nora. dear Nora. this humility is a
new Development
Il know what am fit for. and am not
humble, but | DO not want to attempt
what j. likely TO be too much for me.
There, don't let us talk about Clifford any
more-at least till you have seen him to-
morrow"
promise me not to refuse him without
due reflection"
NO. am too undecided to do that
But it rather awful 10 think that, having
once said yes one cannot unsay it."
Mrs. I'Estrangc need scarcely have rec
commended Nora To rchec- on Marsden's
offer. She was haunted by the recollec-
ton Of his words, his voice, his eyes 1t
is true that he kept himself we'll in hand,
and kept back many a passionate expires
sion that rushed to his lips. Neverthe-
less. he had impressed Nora very deeply
with the conviction that she was very es-
sential 10 him. II rather weighed her
down with vague sense Of alarm What
was she To do with this tremendous gift Of
love so strong that his voice trembled
in spite Of his efforts to he steady. when
he described it, and his heart throbbed
fast and hard when he pressed her hand
for a moment against it. Ought she con
denim one who was so tenderly attached
TO her to suffer TIA" pangS of diSappOiut-
meut and rejection, because she had n
morbid fancy for another who did not care
for her. And with the thought came n
suggestion that sent thrills of pain quiv-
cring through her veins. Had the same
words and tones and looks been Winton's
how differently She would have responded
Perhaps, by cuItvatIHg gratitude to Mars
den. and giving herself up to his efforts to
please and win her, she would succeed in
loving him; and then she would make him
happy and hc happy herself What so
hutton OF all difficulties that would no.
Perhaps it would be the right thing to do
How hard il was to know what was right
Finally. the tears welled up, as she
thought with regretful compassion of the
strong emotion Marsden had DISPLAYED
surely such affection constituted a claim
upon any kindly heart Yet She ardently
wished he had not taken such a fancy to
her. So, after struggling with contra
dictory thoughts for half the night. she
fell asleep toward morning. with a half
uttered prayer TO be directed Alright upon
her lips
Mrs. L'Estrange received Marsden cor
daily and cheerfuly. She did not doubt
for a moment that Nora, having recovered
her first startled surprise at his unexpect-
ed proposal. would marry him willingly
as il was natural she should; ana She was
anxious he should see how very heartily
she was on his side
Il feel sure | have friend in you"
! were almost his first words. after he had
shaken hands with her warmly. we We're
always allies since your first appearance
at BrrokdaIe'
Yes. Mr.. Marsden. You were always
welcome Ia my husband and to me-"
mora has told You Of the start | gave
her" interrupted Marsden, who was alb
sorbcd in his own projects. Il feel | have
| been too abrupt. In short. having been
pretty far gone about her nearly ever since
We met last spring | fanoiod she must
SEQ it, and 10 be candid, her blindness
! suggests that she may be preoccuped by
| some luckier fellow than myself Am
/ right"
You ought 10 ask her, Mr.. MarSdcn."
And seem a conceitcd jackanapes by
| implying that only a previous attachment
would have prevented her falling in love
! with me-"
Mrs. LEstrange smiled
II do not think Nora is disposed to fall
! in love very readily. Then there was no
one for her 10 fall in love with
Some women might fancy Winton."
Il do not think Nora did. Indeed, they
never seemed to take much to each other.
/ especially Of late"