Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-01-21
n - ~
NORA'S lest
BY MARY CECIL HAY
From
Darkness
To Light

BY MARY CECIL HAY

ocS<ccooGGoSS
new to them, and inexpressibly pathetic
Have you heard Miss Giffard's last
decision, Nora:" Mark asked, coming up
TO her just as IL she had been expecting
him. 'Sha has decided not to go TO
Brighton yet-he-self, l mean he added,
quickly, because, watching her so anx-
iously, he had seen the shadow of a great
disappointment fall on her lace. Il do not
mean that she has delayed the departure
for all of you, Nora, darling; only for
herself. She would not have done even
that" he went on, speaking heavily a lit
tie, for he was certain now of what he
had feared-that she longed to avoid him,
and to leave the spot where he could
see her so often, and where his home
lay, ''only that she feels her presence
necessary here-for a time. She had in
tended to go with you aud return alone
earlier, but she has arranged otherwise
now, because Mrs. Pennington is coming
up tomorrow, and win take charge of
you and Miss Pennington, while | go
only to take charge of Foster, Ell, sweet
heart z"
Shall you stay in Brighton:" asked
Nora, utterly failing in her effort to make
the question Indifferent, while her heart
beat with such a two-fold fear-the fear
for herself in his presence, and the fear
for the long days when she would have
to live her life without him.
NO" he answered, gently II wish l
might. though. Yes. l wish it, in spite
of you, dearest. Do you dream for a
moment that l should be stayed by your
GOODNESS or caprice? All, my beloved,
you little know me if you imagine it!
The strength of my love could not be
turned aside by such a trihe- What?
real smile at last. How precious they
are to me, now that they come SO sell
DOM
A little pause, while Nora stood very
still, the faint color coming and going
on her delicate face, as she suppressed
her pain, as well as her love.
''No, sweetest, l am not going to stay
in Brighton" Mark repeated, breaking
the silence at last, in tone (which told
nothing of the strong will resigned; for
| have business which must take me
away for a little time. 1t will be very
hard to leave you there, Nora; but come
that l may hasten our reunion; and /
leave you with old friends who love you,
and in a spot where you will win back
the old bright health and girlish spirits.
Il am quite we'll now," said Nora, visit
fully. quite well, though l am not like
what l used to be; l can see that in the
face of everyone who looks at me. 1t is
not because l anil now. 1t is l am
older-and--"
80 much older, Nora, darling said
Mark, with an involuntary movement, as
if he must take her in his arms TO COM
fort her, but refraining instantly, that
you ought to be wiser. But never mind
probably wisdom will come with the gray
hair Now | must go ON to meet Doyle
in Guildford."
rs Mr.. Doyle here again?" questioned
Nora, with the same mixture of shrink
ing and longing with which she thought.
or spoke, of all the friends of her old
life.
Yes. dearest, Doyle is rather busy in
this neighborhood just now. | believe he
would tell you he had a case here. He
laughs heartily at being sent for to help
our London solicitors. Another blush,
sweet? How delicious it is to see them
once more! Do you know, Doyle recog
nized our house in moment" Mark add
ed, while again the blush rose at hearing
that pronoun which he used as if there
could be no thought, for moment, of his
possessing anything which was not hers,
too, from the sketch he had seen in Mrs.
Corrs cabin"
But l thought your house was closed
and had been closed ever since"
And shall be closed" concluded Mark,
promptly, in her timid pause, until its
gether, in joy the cid house never has
known yet. No one shall occupy it I'M
til then, my love-"
"Good-by," said Nora, simply, but evil
IDENTIFY without a thought of staying,
when he did not wish her to do so.
After passing the gate he could not
look back and see her walk TO the house,
and it was well he could not; for the
tears she had so gravely kept back in
his presence burst from her now beyond
restraint, and she stood in the gloom and
solitude, with her face hidden in her
hands, sobbing piteously.
II cannot help it," she moaned to her
self, when at last the tears were stayed
in utter exhaustion, and she stood with
her hands upon her temples. II thought
| was not such coward! l was not once,
/ think. But" she added. wan smile
breaking the tremulous sorrow of her
lips, though it never touched her eyes.
II shall be stronger presently. This i'll
pess had changed me so. Celia said she
scarcely knew me. Indeed, indeed, l
scarcely know myself; but | suppose ev-
cry one feels $3.50 very weak, and low
and helpless after brain fever. If-when
| so away from here l shall grow strong
again, and-ht to work, and-and able to
remember how solitary my life must bef'
Mora, Nora. dear!'
The gentle call reached her where she
stood; but, following the call, even before
Nora could answer it, Miss Giffard came
into the avenue at DR.. Armstrong; side.
Il sought you everywhere about the
house, my DEAR" she said, her face
Frightening when Nora came at once to
her side, until DR.. Armstrong suggested
YOU mi, bit be here-a good guess, was it
not? e has come 70 say good-by. so
may g. and speak to Corr, leaving DR..
Armstrong TO take you into the house."
1T is not good-by l sm come to say,
Nora" spoke Nuel Armstrong, as soon as
he had watched Miss Giffsrd out of sight,
though that plea served as well as any
thing else for an excuse to reach you.
You know perfectly well, even while she
said it. that that was not true. Not very
probabler he cried, with a hard, forced
laugh. while she saw, in real fear, how
his face worked with a passion which
was headstrong now aEd desperate.
~Gocd-by, Pah. Is all my love, and toll,
and patience. to end in such a towards
speech as that? Stay, Nora, / have
something TO say, and must say it here;
unless" he continued. using craftily his
knowledge of her. You wish it said be-
fore that sleepy looking woman. who has
u. 1.