Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-12-28
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Through many hours during that day
were Nora's plans discussed at the vicar
age; but 1t seemed as IL every proposal
must be followed by the recollection Of a
drawback, and almost more than In the
days of her unnoticed childhood did the
girl feel her loneliness just then. But no
one guessed this and Celia was not the
only one who said Nora's sudden access
Of fortune had evidently put the finishing
touch to her happiness. Yet Mrs. Fen
nington once or twice detected note OF
sadness In the pretty voice, and Mr..
Poynz caught himself looking now and
then into her restless eyes, as IL he tried
to trace some shadow which lay there
below their laughter. Sometimes the
girls themselves escaped from these con-
| slant debates, and laughed more merrily
than they did; or sat upon the uncom.
Portable green seats, and formed wild
plans Of future greatness, until they were
| called In again, perhaps to hear what
was Mr.. Doyles last proposal.
And then Nuel Armstrong crossed the
room to Nora's side. and told her per.
| cmptorily that he must speak to her
alone.
II am going to Rachel Corr's. viii
you come part Of the way, thcnw asked
Nora, with a determination to hide from
all who were present her involuntary re-
luctancc to have him with her.
She looked back us they passed through
| the vicnragc gate, and returned Celia's
smile; but DR.. Armstrong never turned
his head. Nor, though he looked straight
before him, and had not yet glanced into
Nora's face, did he lose the furtive, con-
centrated expression In his eyes.
So they walked on In silence. until they
were nearly half way across the bog.
Then Nora, little amused by being sum.
moncd to conference and never al.
dressed, inquired, rather lnxiiy, II Nuel
had said oil he meant to say.
ut IL not often demand to speak to
you In private now, Nora," he began, his
voice as concentrated as his gaze. but
when l do. It 10 for some purpose. you
may. be sure"
"Nuel,' she said. thoughtfully. ut
seems just as IL the old time had gone
from me y-suddcnly--fOrever
don't know why, but It Is so; and I've
no words to say Of 1t. even to you, that
might hold It back for only ono other
hour. But perhaps you have"
She stopped and stood leaning against
! IN upright cutting Of turf, as II she tried
to feel that their conference was over,
and to prevent his going further.
| Mora, you recollect that Royle holds a
letter OF trust given him by your grand.
fatherw
| "Yes,"
Bran had laid himself down at her
feet, and her hands were linked before
her. She stood the very picture Of Idle
content, Nuel thought, as. under the tilted
brim of her hat, he saw the happy dream.
Ing OF her eyes.
"Nora." he said-and for moment his
hand went out as II he would have
drawn her to him as no used to do In that
uncherished childhood Of hers; but In the
next his hand fell. and even his eyes
turned from her as he spoke-"did you
never feel anxious to know something OF
your parents"
prise, for had he not for years always
silenced her on the subject?
"Oh, Nuel. I long and long to hear OF
them! Ever since can remember my
best dream has been to find some one
who will tell me OF them. You neve,
would; grandpa never would let me ever
utter In his presence the-the words tina,
other girls say SO often. Father! Mother
l have whispered them to myself In tn,
night, or out here alone upon the bog
but no one ever listened II tried to viii
faint, faint memory to hold In my heart
Have I felt anxious to know? you ask
All, you could never, never know how
anxious! Are you--are you going to tel
me now, NuelY"
III l knew. I would" he said, tn,
dusky color rising slowly In his face un
der the longing, questioning glance. "And
as ! have long felt that the mystery ough
to be traced for you, and you ought Il
know what your grandfather had no righ
to keep from you, ] am going to do yOl
that service, Nora. No, don't thank me
dear" he added, hurriedly, as he feignet
to mistake the sudden question In hel
eyes; II will not be thanked for doinI
a simple duty. When have done It. yol
shall thank me as you will, and repay m,
as your kind and generous heart dictates
No longer than | can help shall you liv'
as You are living now, NOra-under
name to which you have no right. NJ
, | iohseIs nc relterutcu, Win SLOW sikulIi
canoe. as she started up with brilliant
flashing eyes.
what do You mean, Nuel? Speal
plainly. l am a little bewildered to-day
, What did You say about my nameY"
Nothing against it, my dear" DR.
Armstrong replied, with his stiff smile
FOR 1t was your grandfather's, and, o
course, your mOthers.p
MY fathers, you mean" Nora correct
ed, slowly. But her fingers had grown
! little nervous now, and she pushed he
hat. from her forehead, as IL Its ligh
weight oppressed her.
, THAT" said Nuel, pointedly. sis wha
! your grandfather chose that you and ev
cry one else should believe; but that wa
D not the truth. Your fathers name, 70
: some reason which the old man best III
] derstood, was kept secret. Possibly
: may have been best to do SO; but per
: haps there is justice yet to be done to hi
0 memory, and ], who love his child 80 de-
J votedly, will do 1t. Hush! Don't than
: me, darling, till come to You some da,
] and tell you of your father, bringing yol
his name, without a stain upon 1t Of dis
, honor or of-crime."
"What2"
. The girls cry was sharp and sudden
: - now. with both hands. she pushed he