Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-07-17

"Will you promise to marry the man
shall find for your" cried Marsden eager

"WiIl you promise to marry the man
shall find for your" cried Marsden eager
ly.
ayes! If he is pleasant and handsome
and rich, and accomplished, and ready to
love, honor and obey me-" returned Nora
q long time to find such q rara avis; un.
dsrtake nothing rashly. SO goodbye"
"Are you going to dismiss me? What
have I done?"
"Helen IL out and IL am going to be
busy; but II you will dine with us al
seven, we will not oblige you to eat scorcb
ed mutton"
Thanks, many thanks. 1t is," looking
at his watch, 'three-twsnty. May l pre-
sent myself at half past six p
ayes, certainly: Helen will be delighted
to see you" She bent her head with an
arch smile and. turning away, walked
quickly toward the cottage.
Marsden leaned his arms on the para.
pet Of the bridge and looked after her GO
long as she was In sight, then he pursued
his way home in profound thought.
Nora went quietly to her own room, tc
cogitate 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 to be
Helen's husband ought to be, could be,
nothing to her. Her cure was certain.
But, oh! what a weak conceited fool she
had been. to take for granted that she
! herself, and she only. was the attraction
| that drew Winton so constantly to Brook
dale, to be so blind to the gentle charm
| of her step mothers looks and voite and
| manner. She saw it all r"w. How
! quietly tender winton Always was in
! speaking to Helen. and how much more
notice he took of her than of her step
laughter. Yet across this conviction
would shoot puzzling CLEANS of memory,
| recalling significant looks and words
which might have been interpreted as in
dicative of a strong liking for herself;
this no doubt was but the exaggeration Of
her own vain unhealthy Imagination. How
she thanked heaven that none could read
her thoughts. She was tolerably safe, no
me save Mrs. Huthven had ever hinted
at any possible tenderness between herself
ana Winton. and that suspicion would
soon be dispelled by the announcement
81 his engagement to Mrs. LEstrange.
AT any rate, for the moment, Nora
thought herself quite cured. She made
some changes in her dress and rearranged
her hair so as to be ready for the evening.
Then she descended to the drawing room,
and set herself diligently to answer some
long-neglected letters
Before she had finished Mrs. I.'Estrangs
returned. and there were parcels to bs
open.d. purchases to be looked at and
put away. and Bea's report of nil she
had seen and heard to be listened TO.
Mrs. L'Estrnnge was surprised and
plensed to hear that Mnrsden was to be
their guest. He was a great favorite with
her. and showed her much kindly consid
Grafton.
On this evening he conversed chief,
with her. but she was too observant, too
warmly interested in her step-daughter,
not to perceive that he was aware Of
Nora's every movement, even her slight
est gesture. She had already suspected
that the lord of Eveslcigh had lost his
| heart to his young kinswoman. and she
was not little puzzled by Nora's evil
dent unconsciOusness. She had very lit
tie Idea, however, of the overpowerins
Intensity Of the passion Nora had inspired
From motives, which need not now be
| revealed, Marsden masked his batteries
clcverly; until the right moment came to
open fire, he was merely q pleasant, play.
full. admiring relative. Tonight. how.
| ever, she was struck by some slight
| though distinct Indications which escaped
his resolute self-control.
Marsden had never denied himself any
thing, nor thought any price too high for
the pleasure of the moment. He had had
| endless love affairs, but none of any depth,
| and when he met his young cousin, he was
| unaccountably fascinated by her. Her
| delicate freshness. her simplicity and
shrewdness, her quick spirit and keen
! self-respect, her moments of sOftness
suggestive of delicious possibilities, Of re-
sponsive tenderness, which was not to be
lightly won. made, to- him, an irresistible
combination.
Clifford Marsden was a man of infinit.
:aste; taste so true. that it all but made
him enamored of goodness if only for Its
harmony. Alas! what chasm that but"
covered! He could be generous, too,
though he was quite capable of sacrificing
all and [ :erything to qualification of self.
yet. at times, that self took an amiable
form. At present he was determined
Nora LEstrange should be his wife. She
was the first woman he had ever wished
to marry. and nothing should stand be-
tween him and the accomplishment of his
wishes.
In such passion there is a tinge OF
.ruelty. Marsden would rather kill her
with his own hand. than give her up to
another.
Meantime, the wild animal within him
Numbered In the sunshine Of it's own
hopes. Marsden talked well, Nora, who
had more color than usual, was charming
ly bright. Winton was never mentioned,
and all went merrily.