The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-06-22

now. and Winton is we'll off. 1t would be
a comfortable settlement for her ana her
little girl. for they are, think, quite de-
pendent on you."
vt tho end of this long speech, during
which Marsdrn watched his companion
face. Nora was quite prepared to reply
'If thcy are fond of each other, | shall
be very pleased. Helen has been real
mother to me- and like Mr.. Winton i'm
mcnscly You don't know what hard
life Helen has had. If Mr.. Winton will
be kind and make her happy now
you have opened my eyes, | think he IS
fond Of her-I shall be glad. But, as TO
her dependence on me, if | die before |
am twcuty-oue, Of course all possess Will
20 to Beatrice, and as soon as ever L um
Of age will settle half my fortune on
Helen, to 20 to Bea after her.
But, Nora. you must not be quiAotic;
make some provision for your fathers
widow, but not half of your fortune"
cried Marsdcn, looking at her with sur
prise.
"Oh, if Helen is married, well, l shall
make the settlement on Bea only. | have
always considered it an oversight on my
fathers part not providing for her, an
oversight | am bound to make good"
Her tone was perfectly easy and nat
ural; nor did it express the slightest con
seriousness of doing more than a simple act
Of justice.
Marsdcn walked on in silence for few
PAGES.
You are right, think said he. at
is horrid nuisance to know that people
belonging To you want for anything; but,
. -, ,,rirI
usual liberalty When shall you be of
age? if | dare ask such Il question"
The fifteenth of February next, l
shall be twenty one"
And suppose you marry some stingy
fellow before that date?"
Nora laughed merriy.
Il do not fancy | shall run away with
any one between this and February, and
if | marry sObcrly, conventionally, the
lawyers can devise the means of carrying
out my wishes, or, if the suitor likes my
poor little money better thnn myself, why,
he may CO." she waved her hand with an
expressive gesture.
u wonder what sort of woman You
Will develop into, Nora?' said Marsden,
his eyes fixed upon hers as if brooding
over some somber thought.
Am | not developed already, squire?''
"Iuu have heaps TO learn. for one
thing, your own power. but why do you
60 back TO the patriarchal appellation?
Promise to call me Clifford, always Cliff
ford"
II will try" returned Nora, smiling
"Now, Clifford, here we are at the bridge.
and before We part, promise me first to
consider all have said a profound secret
between Us two; next not TO tease Helen
about Mr.. Winton; she is a shy creature,
and do not think he has absolutely pro
posed for her yet. SO it would annoy her
drcadfully if you said anything on the
subject"
Trust me, l shall be most discreet. But,
Nora, suppose this marriage takes place
and they will go TO India. What shall
you doE"
Stay behind and educate Bea, or mar
ry that stingy man you seem to have
found for me-
Will you promise TO marry the man
| shall find for your cried Marsden eager
ly.
Eyes, If he is pleasant and handsome,
and rich, and accomplished, and ready TO
love. honor and obey me-" returned Nora
/ with mock soemnity. 1T will take you
n long time to find such a rara avis; un-
dcrtake nothing rashly, 50 goodbye"
Are you going to dismiss me? What
have l doncE"
Helen is out and II am going to be
busy; but if you will dine with US ut
seven. we will not oblige you to eat scorch-
: Cd mutton"
Thanks, many thanks. 1t is. looking
/ at his watch, 'three-twenty. May | pre-
sent myself at half past SIX"
Yes. certainly; Helen will be delighted
to see YOU" She bent her head with an
arch smile and. turning away, walked
qui ky toward the cottage.
Narsden leaned his arms on the para
Pct Of the bridge and looked after her 50
long as she was in sight, then he pursued
his way home in profound thought.
Nora went quietly 10 her own room, to
coGtlte the wonderful information i'm
parted by Marsden.
She was glad. very glad, not only for
Helen. but for herself This KNOWLEDGE
would fortify her to resist her own folly.
to uproot the ridiculous fancy which had
mastered her. The man who was 10 h,
HclenS husband ought to be. could be
nothing To her Her cure was certain.
But oh, what n weak couceited fool she
had been. 10 take for granted that She
herself. and she only, was the attraction
that drew Winton 50 constantly 10 Brook
dale, 70 be So blind To the gentle charm
of her step mothers looks and voice and
manner. She saw it all now. How
quietly tender Winton always was in
speaking to Helen. aud how much more
notice he took Of her than of her step
daughter Yet across this conviction
would shoot puzzling CLEANS of memory.
recalling significant looks and words
which might have been interpreted as in
dlcatIve Of a strong liking for herself;
tins no doubt was but the exaggoration Of
her own vain unhealthy imagination. How
she thanked heaven that none could read
her thoughts. She was tolerably safe. no
one save Mrs. Ruthven had ever limited
At any possible tenderness between herself
and Nlnton, and that suspicion would
soon be dispelled by the announcement
OF his engagement TO Mrs L'Fstrange.
At any rate. for the moment. Nora
thought herself quite cured She made
some changes in her dress and rearranged
her hair 50 as to be ready for the evening
Then She descended 10 the drawing room.
and set herself diligently To answer some
long neglected letters.
Before She had finished Mrs. / 'FstranCe
returned, and there were parcels 10 be
opened, purchases 10 be looked at and
put away. and Bea's report Of all she
had seen and heard TO be listened 10.
Mrs. l. E>trange was surprised and
pleased to hear that Marsden was 10 he
their guest He was a great favorite with
her. and showed her much kindly consid
GRAFTON.
On this evening he conversed chiefly
Win her, but she was too observant, toe
warmly interested in her step-daughter
not 70 perceive that he was aware Of
Nora 5 every movement. even her slight
est gesture. She had already suspected
that the lord of EvesleiEh had lost his
heart 10 his young kinswoman. and she
was not little puzzled by Nora's evi
dent Inconsistencies. She had very lit
tie idea. however. of the overpowerins
intensity of the passion Nora had inspired
From motives, which need not now b,