Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-06-21


and shoulders above his cOmpccrs. 1t was
in reality more an illustrated exposition
Of his theories than work of fiction, and
the collection of his data had cost Norah
the ScvcreSt pangs she had known since
thcir marriage
Once more she intervc~cd with con-
summato tact and self control at the crit
ical moment and they found themselves
in the beautiful old Surrey village with
the spring and summer before them, far
away from psychological cyclones and with
much valuable copy in Digby's notebook.
When the mundane worries of getting
comfortably housed in their cottage had
passed, Norah was conscious of feeling a
little battered
The fallacy of regarding herself as a
spectator when she was in reality perhaps
the most interested actor in these little
dramas began to dawn upon her. When
she once recognized that her theory had
fallen to pieces she all at once realized
that her role was trying and exhausting
one. The knowledge that Digby was safely
out of harms way may have helped to in
crease the force of the rcCOil BE this rs it
may, Norah for the first time felt the de-
mon Of retaliation Juggling at her heart S
strings. The desire stirred in her that Dig
by might taste the bitter waters of doubt
and jealousy. As tonic, be it understood
not as u poison. She was Just little
weary Of this heading off of an impending
enemy, this snatching of her beloved from
the jaws Of Scylla and Charybdis
The summer wanCd. NOrah had idlcd n
long day away in the hammock slung in
her fuvoritc corner of the old garden. She
had felt languid and disinclined for move
ment or thought
1t was one Of Digby's theories that a
woman needed a close time now and then,
when all mental and physical endeavor
should cease. Norah was by no means in
clincd to discourage this theory. 1t was
wholesome drag on the impetus of her
overwhelming vitality. She was lying half
in, half out of the hammock, when she
was startled by the sound of Digby's voice.
my dear chap" he was saying, "mor-
atty is mediation. When we act in oppo-
sition to our inclinations, we arc immor-
al.
Fudge" cried hist companion. "Do
you mean that you could stand by and see
any woman in whom you were interested
mako love to another man for the simple
reason that she felt inclined top
''Il she felt inclined to- There is always
an if, J." said Digby.
by George, l shouldn't like to hold
your views as n married mani" was the
answer and there was n certain challenge
in the tone.
II have said there is always an IT," re-
turned Digby coldly.
And it seemed to Norah as If the glove
had been picked up.
The speakers wandered past the little
clump Of trees which sheltered the ham
mock down into the meadow beyond
Norah could hear her heart heating in
great throbs above the inarticulatc mid
summer thrUn which had lullcd her to
peace few short minutes before.
"Ifr
How sure Digby felt of her, how well ne
knew his power over her!
And then the demon which lies dormant
In every womms heart awolic in hers and
He is too sure He is too
sure. Awake q doubt, piquc his vanity,
let him feel he might lose you, and he is
douhly yours"
Norah slowlyroso and entered the house
Digby's man crossed the hall Us she
reached the stairs.
"Who is with your mastcr?" she asked.
%Major lc Breton, ma'am. Hes stay
ing at the Crown inn and came over di-
rcctly he heard the master was here"
Gle dimes here, of courso?"
eyes, ma am; the master said was to
tell you
N-,,L -,.., ~ ,i..