Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-08-22
ed her life, and the torturing doubt as to

ed her life, and the torturing doubt as to
what was best and right to do. She was
the source of sorrow to the man she
loved most truly, she was deceiving the
lover whom she sincerely liked, and, Win
ton out of the way, might have loved
Then, although she had been mistaken as
regarded Mark Winton's feelings, it did
not follow that her ideas respecting Mrs.
LEstrange were also wrong; perhaps in
his disappointment Winton might turn to
her. If so, Nora felt she ought to be
pleased, but she was not by any means
pleased with the idea; on the contrary, it
was very bitter. Then what was the
right course to take with Marsden? Poor
fellow, he was so fond of her. How could
she break with him, and break his heart!
And suppose she had the hardihood to tell
Marsden the truth, how would it sound
to say, 'Despairing of Mark Winton, l
promised to be your wife; now | find he
is willing to take me-, l wish to break my
word to you" Such was the simple fact.
No! She never, never could make such
an avowal. 1t were best she should bear
the penalty of her own weakness IN nav
ing too readily yielded to persuasion, to
her overeager desire to throw off the pain
and shame of caring for a man who pre-
ferred another. Besides, what would
Winton himself think if, after telling
him she was to marry Marsden, she de-
clared herself free? Probably that she
was heartless Jllt.
No, there was but one way for her to
walk in; she must lock up her secret and
her sufferings in her own heart; leave
Winton to conquer his fancy for herself,
which a strong, sensible man,. as he was,
no doubt soon would; forget him quickly
if possible; marry Marsden and love him,
or seem to love him, and do everything
for him in the spirit of affection till love
came Oh! would it come? And If 1t did,
would she not be traitor to her true, hrst
love? Destiny was too potent for her; she
could only conquer by bearing her fate!
Meantime, Lady Darlington made no
sign. The society papers announced that
Mrs Rutliven had sufficiently recovered
to remove to Torquay, where she had
added a hint that "as we asserted some
time since, there was no truth in the re-
port that she was about to contract an
alliance with certain squire of high de-
gree in the Midlands, whose brilliant sue
cess as a sportsman, yachtman and man
of the world, could not insure that other
dearest to him of ALL"
Mrs. L'Estrange and Nora both watch
ed with uneasiness for some token of
amity from Lady Darlington, and the
seeming estrangement of his only sister
greatly increased Nora's reluctance TO De-
come Marsden's wife.
Nothing, however, can put the drag on
times chariot wheels; the days went by
swiftly yet heavily. Nora was surprised
how few opportunities she found for be-
ing alone with Mrs. L'Estrange. She
longed to ascertain what ties had existed
between Mark Winton and her step
mother. Yet she never had a chance for
leading I'D to that subject 1t was one
respecting which she could not ask a SIM
ple. straight forward question, and she
never was long enough alone with Mrs.
L'Estrange to approach the topic with
masked batteries.
Marsden was constantly with them, al
WAYS charming, obliging, sympathetic;
and it needed all Morals tact and ingenuity
to avoid the frequent tete-a-tete inter
views he was perpetually contriving, to
escape his caresses, from which she
shrunk with sort of dread she was her
self ashamed of.
Sometimes she could not conceal this
shrinking from him, and it filled him
with an angry despair, that called forth
her deepest remorse, and obliged her to
atone SO amply, that Marsden was once
more joyous and hopeful.
eff you knew all you have cost me-"
he would sometimes cry, ''all have
risked for you, you would not cut me to
the soul. with this accused cold prudery!
Not that l would hesitate to pay any
price that would make you mine: but |
sometimes doubt you have any heart to
give"
Then Nora would tremble, and assure
him how dear his happiness was to her,
and take his hand in hers, and stroke it
with gentle kindness. and Marsden would
become reasonable once more.
For Bea, this was a heavenly interval
of treats and toys, the circus and the
panorama. Indeed, as at the harvest of
the susar-cane, all came in for share of
sunshine and good things, and at times
Nora wondered ut her own insensibility
and ingratitu,le.
Go be continued)