Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-08-14

rors repeating your oIfes. Let me ten nel
you will give her time to think, and, mean
while, that she must let you come ms 9
friend and kinsman."
"very well. I shall be guided by you
but l can't stand this uncertainty long
Why does she not like me? for she
ioesn't."
1T is impossible to say: she Ii not .
commonplace girl"
THANK you for tho implied compli
nent."
you have caught me up too soon. VIII
you write what have suggested, or shall
I speak to Nora?"
II will write," he said, and speedily
traced a few lines. There" he contin
ued, handing the note to Mrs. L'Estrange
Il am very grateful for your help, and
believe me, II become your step-son-in.
law, will care for your interests and
those of my little friend, Bea, as II they
were my own"
You are very good" said Mrs. LES.
TRANCE, softly.
"Now," continued Marsden, "what shall
we do? II II an awful time in London; !
almost wish I had not come up. There
Ia shooting, or hunting, or something to be
done In tho country. Have you been to
Windsor? It IL a tolerably fine day. Let
US 60 down and lunch there, and walk
about after. just settle 1t with Nora"
"Very WE'LL" said Mrs. L'Estrange, and
left the room.
She was some little time absent, during
which Marsden walked to and fro, picked
mp and put down books and papers which
lay about, and occasionally looked at the
clock. He was impatient, but not un.
easy; he did not doubt his ultimate sue
cess, and was not altogether displeased
with Nora's hesitation. 1t was the sense
Of difficulty which was her crowning
.harm.
He had seen many lovelier and more
fascinating women; but none had ever
charmed and vanQuished him as this un.
worldly, natural young cousin.
What fair round arms she had! What
sweet mouth. half sad, half haughtyi
Would she ever press It fondly to his
What would he not dare, what villainy
would he not commit. to secure her for
himself away from every one? And would
the day ever come when she would be to
him Us other women, graceful and pleas
ant enough. but nothing remarkable? !?
Well, not for a long time. There would
be a spell of heaven first. Here he threw
himself into an armchair and took up a
book of photographs; 1t opened at the por-
trait Of Mrs. Ruthvan. Was that an evil
omen? He hated her; yet, when they had
met early that year in Paris, before he
had seen Nora. he was rather taken with
her. Her veiled admiration for himself
hattered and amused him. He even
thought of appropriating her wealth in
exchange for his name. Now? Pah, how
he wished she would die and take herself
out of his world, where she was not want
ed! The telegram that morning was
about as bad rs it could be; perhaps luck
would still be on his side, for he had Q
vague, uncomfortable impression tha,
Mrs. Ruthven would work him evil.
Here Mrs. LEstrange returned and
handed a little twisted note, which he
eagerly opened and read: "You are very
kind and considerate: l accept your sug-
gestion." This was simply signed "Nora."
81 think you ought to be content" said
Mrs. L'Estrange, smiling.
81 am-and our expedition to-day"
1--WE will be ready to accompany you In
IN hour. Nora made no objection"
The meeting, under such trying circum.
stances, was less awkward than Nora ex-
pected She could not help admirins
Marsden's tact and cool self-possession.
If anything, he was more attentive to Mrs.
than to herself. The weather
was fine, the conversation light and ami.
mated. Marsden spoke Of Mrs. Ruthven
with much good feeling. and the day was
far more agreeable than Nora anticipated,
nor did Marsden leave them without max
ing some plans for the morrow which
would bring them together.
CTo be continued.)