Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-01-18
CHAPTER XX.--(ContinucdJ

NO" thOuRnt VIII, staying MS WllIiuS
stems, ''it would he unfair to ask Nora.
How could she utter a word Of cOnsola-
ton TO mother, while she knows Arm
strong 50 thoroughly; knows how persist
emily he sought her mp to the last mo
ment when he dared to venture into her
presence; while. ] suppose, all the time
he was pretending to care for Tory! NO.
] must not ask help from Nora; II
know what will do"
His step quickcncd n little in that mo-
ment of relief. for he had caught sight
Of his mother, with her arm In Celia's.
Joining her, and taking her other arm
within his own, while. In new. anxious,
almost timid way, he begged Celia not to
20 away. he led them from the pier TO
his mothers pleasant rooms upon the
parade, aud there he told her Of her
daughters flight. while Celia cried II good
deal, and spoke very little; and yet was
so gentle and tender with the unhappy
mother, and 50 quiet and compassionate.
that afterward, when Mrs. Foster looked
back to that sad hour. she fancied that
Celia had been a great consider, and had
made the shame and sorrow less for both
herself and Will.
II was u short story. though the moth
cr's tears interrupted 1t SO often. and
made the telling of II take a long time.
Early on the previous morning Victoria
Foster had left home. professedly to
spend q day or two with u young friend
who lived at Hove. That afternoon, as
Willoughby sat writing In his mothers
lodgings, while she and Gcnevicvc were
out. he had received n letter from his
youngest sister, posted in Dover. She
told him she had been married on the pre-.
vious day to DIR. Nucl Armstrong at the
Church Of IT. Stephen. In Walbrook; that
they were on their way then to Paris;
that she was very happy and desired him
TO give her love to her mother and Gene.
We've. Such u thoroughly heartlcss and
selfish letter 1t was, that Will pretended
just now that he had lost 1t, and told the
story In his own way.
I'VE can do nothing. I suppose" moan.
ed Mrs. Foster, at last. Tory Is of age
BY her fathers will. and knew the man
she was marrying. But you will 10 up
and see the register at st. Stephens,
WillT
"Ycs, as soon as ever Lord Kcston
comes down. The law proceedings are
all over now, and fancy he will be- here
tonight"
The band had begun to play under the
pier, when Mark Poynz entered and went
slowly along II, glancing at every figure
he met, but with no eagerncss OF scrutiny,
for he knew how instantly he should
recognize the form he sought when he
came near enough to see 1t. Many eyes
followed him. for he was not one Of the
usual loungers ON the pier; and they grew
inquisitive, too, trying to reconcile the
slow and leisurely step with the evident
concentration Of both gaze and thought.
But, unconscious of any glance bestowed
upon him, Mark went on. until ut last, ut
the very end Of the pier, he saw that his
search was over; and In his sudden great
content, as well as his fear Of startling
Nora, his step slackcned instead OF hast
ening. 30 he went softly up to her and
stood beside her, with his hand ON hers;
and though she started a little. the grave
thOughtfulness within her eyes died in
stantly In the light Of her great jOy--a
Joy which she would never have let him
see had he not come upon her unawares.
"Ah! didn't that startle yOu-thc sud.
den splashing Of the oars belOwY What
q gh0stly little boat to come gliding 80
unexpectedly from under the pier.'
Nora said this nervOusly. turning away
from Mark to look down upon the water;
for she had remembered now, and the
childish tears rose to her eyes when she
felt how unable she had been to hide
from him the gladness his coming gave
her. And seeing this, Mark bravely still
(while his own strong impulse tempted
him TO shatter resistlessly every barrier
between them restrained the words
which he knew she felt she might not
hear.
where are they all, Nora:" he asked,
as his warm. strong fingers held her
hand within his arm. Hannah told me
Il am 40 glad to see Hannah back In
your service. darling-that you were all
ON the pier"
80 We are" said Nora, grateful to him
for speaking only thus. Isis Miss Git
fard not come, then!"
mo. sweet. She is awaiting you--at
home"
II do not understand" faltcred Nora.
moving slowly on. II have no home"
"Ah, forgot that" said Mark, In his
cool, quixxical way, and with no sign OF
the effort II cost him to speak TO her
without betraying all his heart held OF
love, and care, and tenderness. well,
we must 20 and see how the mistake has
arisen. She certainly told me to bring
you home soon, and to say that she
awaited you there"
"She has been very, very kind to me-"
said Nora, earnestly. II hope may see
her again."
You have to hear, sweetheart, the rca-
son for her not coming to Brighton. 1t
Is rather long story, and can only be
told at home. How soon will you come
with met"
II wonder how Celia has gomez" said
Nora, wondering why Mark spoke OF
home with such n new aud happy tone OF
voice, but never guessing how his utter
anco OF the word made her own eyes
soften with an inexpressible hope and
happiness. "May We walk ON and look
for herr"
They met Mr.. and Mrs. Pennington
presently. but could find none of the 9th.
"rs; 10 they strolled from the pier, guess
ing that Celia had unthinkingly sauntered
homeward with the Fosters.
'"Then will you tell us nothing, Lord
KcstOn, until We reach Hcaton?' asked
Mrs. Pennington, laughing as they stop
ped FOR n last look across the shadowy
sea. "And do you really expect us to
start tomorrow
III you please said Mark, with rather
unusual gravity. II have my horses here.