Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-09-19
CHAPTER XVI.


Ion had made no sign.
alsuel hepan to hope he was wise enough
Nora I;ro that it would not be for his
banniness to insist on marrying
r h1p was so reluctant to be his wife.
WV some consideration, she wrote
Ai v1a Idigpified letter to Lady Dorring-
n'lD ahrtting her accusations and assur-
D. reDt tbat so far from wishing to mar
ne. l+bar's prospects by holding him to
O'O osromnnt. she had earnestly begged
% 10 ;, I'm had gone by, to Bea's infinite
CllI ';ntment. without the presence OF
sappo ~nr;+c NIarsden. There was a
ID w +he little drama of their lives!
use n ~ was first broken by a few
hl' t tnru Winton to Mrs. L'Estrange, in
s - be asked her to fix an hour when
lt annld see him, as he was in town Tor
'O w. fine. and, if she adhered to her
sno .:an Of returning to Brookdale early
'e 1Unnarv if would be his only oppor-
? ;t~ Of Wishing her good-by. as he hoped
MY nnlate his business and sail for India
pnd of the month.
Nara accepted this note as notlce TO De
.'ol" Tho vay, and felt truly grateful to
t;nton for sparing her the pain OF an
counter.
Mac LEstrange began to form some
~ Nf the truth. Though she liked Mark
Fatnr she thought Marsden would be
M suitable husband for Nora. he
',' brirbt and companionable, while
s,l was older than his years, sobered
]' Nv a life of steady work and serious
'oonsibility. Nora could not be SO much
.rortpd by a man too much in earnest
civil speeches or implied compliments,
any, Of the gallant trickery in which
,.,jon eycelled-who differed from and
r,oJ with her as he would with a COM
5aof his own sex, and to crown all, had
Ne IN boast of beyond a good figure and
mleman-Iike air.
Iorover. she made out very little from
or tete-a-tetc interview.
WintoD looked worn and gaunt, but
cmed very glad to see her, and to ind
alone. He spoke freely enough OF his
N affairs, of the division he had made
his uncle's bequest with the deceased's
,ndchild, and of his own approaching
ln,rture of herself and her little daugh-
in even q kindlier tone than usual;
h not until he rose to take leave, after
missing her invitation to dinner, did
mention Nora. Then he asked calmly
rAnd Miss L'Estrange; | hope she is
FN"
Yes: very well.
HAnl when does the wedding take
lce?"
ri am not quite sure
- II thought it was fixed for the begin
BIZ of February?'
"Yes; that was talked Of; but we do not
lite know yet
Fare you pleased with the MARRIAGE"
asked, looking at her very searchingly.
FCerMinly, am. 1t is d good marriage,
pn worldly point of view; and then
ford Marsden is so utterly devoted
as think dear Nora's happiness is sure
be his first consideration"
1t ought to be-" very gravely. but,
r. L'Estrange, Marsden's financial po-
hon ought to be looked into carefully
fore the marrige takes place. Mars
n Of Evesleigh sounds like a grand al
nee, but he is good deal dipped, OF
urse he may have cleared himself. Miss
EStrange has no guardian, l believe?
no. Colonel L'Estrange, after max
many wills, which he destroyed, final
died intestate; our good friend, Mr..
rOn, the Colonel's solicitor, has man
led everything for us, and l have got
70 the habit of looking on Lord Dor
ston as an informal guardian; but he
mot, or will not, interfere now, because
or rather Lady Darlington, is so dis
BASED with the proposed marriage
'ha. | feared so. Lady Darlington
b. think, anxious her brother should
cure Mrs. Ruthven's fortune. This
St be q source of annoyance to Nora
mean Miss L'Estrange-who is, sup
ke, attached to Marsden; he is a sort
fellow to please girls fancy" There
tinse of bitterness in his tone.
Oh, yes, of course! But Nora is no
qmentalist, you know!"
do. She is something better. Well,
otamorning, Mrs. L'Estrange."
We shall! see you again, though? You
not so without saying good-by to
"a and poor little Bea?"
nton hesitated
Should like to shake hands with Miss
hSfanse once MORE" he said slowly.
10 bea. you must keep me posted up
your own and her doings-if you con-
p' NE her informal guardian shall be
based"
LOU are very sood-you always were
w. Mark" cried Mrs. L'Estrange,
'"Ieo out Of formality. ''But you are
song away forever! India is so
'>S'oie now; you can come to and fro,
. .nua Is the best place for me-" he in
up'eu, somewhat grimly. 'There l
WORK to do; here there are no ties
%,ep NE. shall come and say good-by
~.g start He shook hands cordial
and left her.
l. Estranse hurried upstairs to re-
rp'oceedlngs to Nora, who was pre-
s 10 read in her own room, where
,i WAS lond of retiring, finding the re-
s ,rs even of her step-mother's kindly
ii, +ve 'fksome in her present overtaxed
HOWL o" OF mind-consumed as she was
s;t;o pe'uai anxiety respecting her own
boS S' ana ntolerable regret for what
Ma ~. ;Us' oy mere misrepresentation, or,
Ana VII l1' me deliberate misleading.
ovo,. ME- Nlnton is TO leave so soon!''
|pm ('Itlned' growing very white, as her
bnr y,nef ceased speaking. "1Vhy does
sar G n imagine! He seems anxious
ao nlo "VA 10 his work. and to think there