The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26

as we'll she could.
After a minute two. the color came back
to his face and he sad
I'm sorry 1 called you to me. If 1 had
dreamed there was peril, [ wouldn't nave
done it. 1t troubles me greatly to think you
are in this danger through me-"
You mustn't let it trouble YOU, said Nora,
softly, and with sweet, gentle look. Il don't
mind. Even Tiff the very worst should
come, should feel had died doing my duty,
and-and-I don't think L should be afraid:
Il pray to Heaven it may not come to
that!' said Sir Basil, in grave, earnest tones,
with a look towards the setting sun which
showed his mind was indeed engaged in
prayer.
80 do l." said Nora, simply. 81 would
rather live; but L am not afraid to die, and
there is no one to grleve for me-nobody ex-
cept dear Meg
Nobody except Meg? Nora, I thought you
had friend dearer than Meg-in Canada?"
He spoke very gravely, and with a slightly
flushing cheek. Is
DO you mean Elsie Rivers? Yes; she is a
dear friend, and I know she loves me; but
she is not just like Meg
ELSIE Rivers!" repeated Sir Basil. IL
didn't know think must have made some
mistake I thought your friend was a man.;
You mean you thought 1 had lover?'
questioned Nora, turning her face full upon
him with calm, frank glance.
Yes; that is what I thought. Was I
wrong?"
"Quite wrong Sir BASIL
She spoke in a tone of gentle sadness, and
he fancied she colored a little beneath his
intent, searching gaze.
On the impulse of the moment, he drew
little nearer to her, taking her hand in
his, said
Mora, sometimes 1 fancy we have both
made a mistake. I hope am not vain or
conceted man; but sometimes I've dared to
fancy that if I'd asked you again to be my
wife, you wouldn't have said No second
time. Do you mind telling me now, dear,
whether am wrong in thinking this? Surely
we may forget the conventionalites of the
world, and speak together, heart to heart for
just one moment. If death should come to US
here, I think we should both be happier for
knowing the simple truth"
81 will tell you the truth quite frankly,
she said, with a sweet simplicity of look
which thrilled him to his hearts core. Five
minutes after I had refused you, I knew
had made mistake. l have owned to myself
ever since that I could have hoped for no
greater happiness than that of being your
wife,
He pressed her hand to his lips, with
smothered exclamation
"Ah, Nora, if only had known of this in
time! Now it is too late
IT know that she said, gently. "You are
to marry Lady Tudor"
Yes; but it is you I love-you and you
only. Once 1 loved my cousn-years ago.
when I little more than a boy; but all
that was past and over long since. In sense
felt myself in honor bound to make her an
offer of my hand yesterday; but l think she
|
He spoke in a voice of sad tender gravity.
At that moment he felt as though he scarce
ly cared to live.
Life would be but a dull, dreary thing for
him, if it must be spent away from Noras
side.
Now that he knew she loved him-now that
she had made that sweet, frank confession
he felt it would be easier for him to take her
in his arms, and So bid goodbye to life, than
to return to the world, and see her drift
away from him, perhaps, to some other man,
while he himself was the husband of another
woman
AS yet he did not suspect how cruelty he
had been tricked by his cousin Isobel.
He was of too open and unsuspicious
nature to easily believe size had deliberately
deceived him.
Even when he remembered it was she who
had told him Nora engaged, he simply
thought she herself had been mistaken.
Nora had her suspicious, but was too noble
minded to give utterance to them.
She simply stood by his Side calm and
brave, glad to know that, after all, he loved
her; glad, too, that he knew she loved him.
She could never hope now, for the sweet
joy of being his wife, since honor bound him
to Lady Tudor.
Nay, in her heart she feared they might
never leave that ledge of rock alive.
But even in the face of this fear, it was
sweet to know he loved her.
For some minutes they had remained thus,
in silence that was more eloquent than any
mere words could have been; then Nora said,
in a quiet voice, though she trembled with
excitement
ct think I see a sail Look!-straight in
front of us-as far we can see."
There certainly was speck sn the horizon.
To Sir Basil it seemed only speck; but
those fine grey eyes of Nora'S were wonder
fully keen, and she certain it was a sail
Let us wave our hats" she said, in voice
Of suppressed emotion.
She felt that if she allowed herself to give
way in the very least, she must needs burst
into hysterica tears.
Nearer and nearer that speck approached
nearer and nearer, until it could be seen it
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