The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-21
SHE WAS TO OBEY.
! a brighs pink, but does

The girl bushes a bright pink, but does
not appear to resent his familiarity.
NORA he repeats, taking hold of the
| little hand in his, ''you know already
what would say, do you not, my darling9
| Nora, love you; love you more, think,
| than ever man loved before. Nora, will
you be my wifef''
The blue eyes were raised for one second,
and in their misty radiance Jack Dalton
read his answer.
'tNora," broke in voice in tones of
measured severity. which made Nora start
like guilty creature, II have bean look
ing for you everywhere. Nora, Mr.. Pom
tifex has arrived unexpectedly at home
and apparently from what I can gather
does not wish to meet you first here. So
of course you will at once leave andP-s-
81 do not see why, Gladys said Nora,
but her voice trembled, and her fair face
was very white.
'IThen allow others to Judge of what is
right and fitting under the circumstances, -
said Mrs. Hastings sharply. 81 have
made your apologies to Mrs. Pelham. She
quite understands the circumstances. Run
quickly and get your cloak
AS the girl goes reluctantly forward
Jack Dalton makes a hasty step toward
her, but Mrs. Hastings gently detains him.
Pardon me-, she said in a soft voice
in which there Is a slight ring of pity,
''but I cannot but fear you do not quite
know the facts about my little sister. If
you have boen led to think anything from
her manner. am sorry, but it happens SO
often. Naughty child She is sad hirt.'
Mrs Hastings gave a gentle, amused
laugh, which died suddenly her eyes fell
on Jacks white, stern face.
Excuse me-" he said in a naughty
tone, ''but do not understand what you
are endeavoring to convey to me. Why
does the advent of this gentleman appear
SO important to her, and''-
"Ah, it is as said. You do not under
stand the facts laughed Mrs. Hastings.
''They are briefly these: Nora is engaged
to Mr.. Pontifex, has been since the end of
the season, and they are to be married in
the autumn
The place seemed to swim round Jacks
eyes, but, with a firm resolve not to be
beaten, he set his teeth hard, and, with
absolute composure, surveyed Nora as she
returned to her sisters side.
'fIs this true?'' he demanded, and his
voice to himself sounded far away. els
it true that you are now going to meet
your aff1anced husbandS'' Nora looked
up, startled, into his white, stern face.
dip she faltsred, but her voice
broke, and she turned away.
''IThat is answer sufficient, {" he returned.
81 fully indorse your sisters sentiment,
Miss Carew-you are a sad firtI'
With IA harsh laugh he turned away as
Nora, Wn1Go ana Ding, followed MIS-.
Hastings to their carriage leaving him
standing alone, desolate amid the wealth
of flowers and sweet scents, a bitter, bro
ken hearted man.
81 have come for my answer, Nora,''
said Mr.. Pontifex in his calm, measured
voice.
Something in his assured confidence
made tho girl flush with sudden anger.
''By what right do you call me b. my
name?' she asked passionately, and as her
eyes dwell on his complacent, uninterest-
ing face the girl tells herself she hates him.
Ely what right? My dear Nora, surely
your future husband may He ends
abruptly, for Nora s eyes are flashing with
unconcea1ed rage.
"My future husband ~ she exclaimed.
''Neverl By what right have you followed
me about, tortured me SO the last few
months? mover liked you; never said
would marry you. How dare you try to
imply that you were ever treated by me
with more than ordinary civility!'
'Your sister he says, but with more
uneasiness in his assured tones.
my sister is not me, Mr.. Pontifex.
She apparently thinks she can dispose Of
me she chooses. claim the right to
choose for myself in tho most important,
holiest act of a woman's life. Mr.. Ponti-
fex, I have chosen and may ask you to
be generous enough to in future, when we
meet, abstain from remarks save those of
ordinary civility?"
With bow young empress might have
given, Nora swept from the room.
She felt chot1ed, suffocating with oon-
dicting emotions.
''Oh, 70. some airl'' she cried, and catch
ing up her hat she ran from the house
down the garden to the downs beyond,
where she paused exhausted, by a large
clump of trees.
As she raised her head at sudden rus
Ting a man came quickly from within the
thicket, and Nora confronted Jack Dalton.
Haggard, white, unshaven, he looked aged
by many years from the handsome Jack
Dalton of the night before.
He raised his hat mechanically and was
passing on, but Nora spoke
MIR. Dalton, - she said in trembling
voice, which reached Jacks ears.
He raised his eyebrows slightly.
''I am at your service, Miss Carew.'' be
said icily.
Nora looked nervously at him. Would
he not help her? No; he was gazing be-
fore him with a blank, set expression.
CT don't know how to say it, Nora
broke out impetuously, "but heard you
were going away today, and-oh, Jack,
don't look away from me; listen to me
first. II was never engaged to him. I
never even liked him, but Gladys wanted
me to marry him, and-and cared for no
one else. And one day before we came
here, when he had wearied me out, said I
would give him an answer three months
later. The three months aren't up yet,
Jack, but he came down yesterday, and I
Il told him today that could never be
his wife. Oh, Jack, if you are going away
today, say goodby to me kindly, for-I
love you, JackP'
There was an instant's pause, and then,
all Jacks strong arms were round the lit
tie weeping figure, and her wet face was
pressed 80 his.-Forget Me Not.
Bicycle Not Cause For Divorce.
The bicycle as a cause of divorce is some