The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-08-03


! complained of want of vitality.
An this time. in gray foggy LONDON
Marsdcn's wooing prospered, ana Nora
grew quite accustomed TO MS daily pres
enCc.
He was himself cautious ana sell re
strained. He took care not again TO star
tie her by such n passionate outDursl us
had disturbed her on the day she had ac-
ceutcd him. He watched with infinite
care and tact his opportunity for winning
a caress. and flattered himself ne was
daily advancing in her affection, ana De-
coming more necessary. vet there came at
intervals torturing spasms Of doubt, when
il was borne in upon him that he was only
liked, endured and slightly feared; such
moments made him savage. eXactlnE' uh-
reasonable. He strove hard to resist
these moods. knowing we'll how huch Oh
what ho had built up with infinite care
they undid.
Through all. Nora was so sweet, so pa
tent. SO compliant, that he grew more pas
siouatcly fond of her day by day, even
while he longed for her TO show HIM some
caprices. some little tyrannies indicative
Of pleasure in her sense of power over
him. She did not love him yet-not yet
him, and love would come.
On one point Nora was steady; she
would not marry till she had attained her
twenty-first year, and on this Marsueh
was obliged 10 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
lRFtf a rgaF
ised to speak to Lady Darlington on the
subject as soon as he could lntrude on mel
duties to her sick guest.
You ought to tell her before anyone
else. Clifford urged Nora.
4 fortnight had slipped away, and as
vet no whisper of Marsden's engagement
had got abroad.
There WIS no one in town. and Mrs
and Miss LEstrange We're scarcely
known in Marsden's world.
Mrs. L'Estrange was much and most
agrecably occupied with her little dnugh-
ter. and pleased with her surroundings.
making quietly the meanwhile prepare
TONS for the anticipated event. and had
little time TO notice how pale and thin
Nora had grown, that her face looked all
eyes, that she started nervously If sud
denly spoken to. and that her hands held
nothing very steadily, All seemed TO
promise fair and well. In the midst of
this contentment Wnton arrived from
Florence, graycr and gauntcr than ever.
1t happened that the day he first called
Marsden had received from his sister an
earnest request tn 60 to her at once, and
he had started, intending TO visit Ewes
leigh on his way back. Mrs. L'Estrange
H. I'm -
wish to let EvcSleigh. she had no idea that
rctreuChmcut was 50 necessary to him.
Still neither she nor her step-daughter
saw anything TO object to in the PROPOSE
! ton. Indeed. Nora thought she would
7 prefer travelling with him to settling down
/ in the country5 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 as Mark W'inton came. She
| longed TO hear him talk with her step
mother, uuce-juSt ouce-in the old, quiet,
/ sensible way. without interruption. When
Mursdpu was present she was never quite
/ at ease: she felt he was watching her,
/ that he was ever on the lookout for her
/ notice or her avoidance. She dreaded
I
! delight which any little show Of Kindness
! on her part excited. To be still and tran
i quill for an evening or two was very
+ charming: though she was distressed to
/ find what pleasure it gave her to hear
/ Winton's deep, somewhat harsh voice. to
! listen oven to his most trihing remarks.
| When-whcn would he speak to Helen,
! aud put another final barrier between
/ Them? The alI-abSorbing topic Of her
own engagement had prevented any sni-
! madversion on Winton's letter, moreover,
/ as Helen did not make any remark re-
4 speeding it. Nora did not like to breach
/ the subject
1t WAS late. and Bea was beginning to
4 say good night-a process which usually
lasted some time-when Winton appear
ed He had only arrived that evening
and apologized for intruding 50 late.
Beatrice of course, greeted him rap.
turously, and her departure to the realms
of sleep was postponed. When she had
disappeared. and they were quiet, Wintor
looked round the room and said:
1T Is almost like being at Brookdale
only | miss some of the furniture and
ornaments"
And the room is smaller" added Mrs
L'EstrauEe
Have you been ill?" were his next
words, addressed TO Nora. with an earnest
look
NO, Why do you ask? Do l look ill%'
Il think you do. London does not agree
with YOU.
Il have a slight cold, scarce worth men
tiouiug," she returned
Winton slowly Withdrew his eyes from
her. and. after looking down fer minnt,
Ia NIL Of
ven and her illness. her relapse, and hel
final recovery. Then he spoke of goiu.
u see his uncle in Yorkshire; and the,
gjdcd easily from one subject to another
ON rising 10 say goodnight he askr
Mrs L'E~trangc at what hour he shout,
find her next day.
Il don't think | shall be in much befor,
noon. | have Il dreadful business befor,
me IN q visit 10 the dentist with poor little
Bea. and We are 10 ranSack Cremer's fol
some reward To encourage her droopine
spirits. But, about four. you will find u,
at tea"
Very Well he returned. and bid then
goodnight"
4 do not think You are looking 50 i'll
Nora said Mrs L'Estrange. when b,
had gone,
"Oh, no. It was only Mr.. Winton'.
fancy, There j. nothing really the matter
with me-
As soon rs Mrs. L'Estrauge with Bes
and her govcrnesS had departed. after ar
early luncheon, Nora took Il book and ;
comfortable corner of the sofa deter
mined 10 think only of the story. which
WAS interesting and well told. She fell
nnaecountahly weary. and was not ut nj
surprised that Wuton should hav,
her i,..l-T