Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-01-14
NoRA,s lest
BY MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER XIV.
BY MARY CECIL HAY

CHAPTER XIV.
One Of the prettiest riverside gardens
on the north bank of the Upper Thames.
and party assembled there, as radiant
and as varied as the myriad flowers
among which they sat or strolled. A
beautiful picture it was. For, beyond
the little crowd of idle human forms, the
river flowed in wide and calm serenity (;
upon the dazzling flower banks fell the
cool shadows Of rare old oaks and elms,
and even the dresses caught new love
illness among the roses on the velvet
turf
Mrs. Pennington, skillfully concealing
the fact that she was i'll an irrepressible
fiutter of excitement, went froms one TO
another of the little groups of elder
guests already scattered among the
shady, tempting seats; though, while she
talked with each for time, in her easy,
gentle way, she was seeking one familiar
face.
MY DEAR" observed her husband,
speaking low as he passed her, your
old friend, Mrs. Brunton, is in the rose
tent, by the river. She would like few
minutes chat with you alone, I'm sure,
after your long separation
Mrs. Pennington nodded, with smile
of relief, and FASTENED her steps little.
Il fancied you would reach this spot
eventually" was the smiling greeting she
received as she entered the rose tent, and
took her seat beside her old school
friend; your husband guessed | should
like few minutes with you alone. How
delightful it will be to have you in Lon
don for time, Cis l don't think l ever
was so surprised in my life as when
read your letter, which was awaiting me
on my return yesterday. have not quite
accepted the story, even yet"
Nor have l." smiled Mrs. Pennington.
az cannot even yet believe in Nora S
fortune, and can scarcely realize the fact
that this house is our present home"
How beautiful it is!' said Mrs. Brun-
ton, glancing around. And so exquisite
ly arranged both within and without
Some one with perfect taste must have
selected it for you, Cis."
MIR. Poynz did that. He says he
CHANGED to hear of it at once, and had nc
trouble at all, so l expect he knew the
best agents to apply to, as neither Mr.
Doyle nor my husband would have
known. We have taken it for the sum
mer. fancy Nora will wish to go abroad
after that"
she likes the house, of courseT
Likes itp' echoed the wears wife
with a smile. "She seems happy here
beyond all words She enters into every
thing with the freshest and heartiest en-
joyment; and yet, with all her merri
ment, she is-so wonderfully soothing"
mo wonder that you look upon her al
a daughter"
.'No, indeed. The only wonder is thai
she is so glad to be thought so. No one
ever could learn from Nora that l wa:
not mistress of this house, and of every
pound that we spend. And she would
not consent to anything but an equal al
lowance for herself and Celia"
us Nora changed by the change in hel
position?'
Not in the slightest" said Mrs. Pen
nington. sShe just goes on in her old
independent, happy, gravely merry way
I'm sure you coDld never guess what wa.
the last thing in which she invested
violin. Yes, you may well smile. She
never plays it except in her own room
but l often listen. and, though she i:
only feeling her way, as it were, and find
ing out tunes without learning the instru
ment, you have no idea how pretty it is
She has a concertina, too, but think the
violin is the favorite.''
But she plays the piano, surely?'
mot to content herself, so she never
plays to strangers. She plays to herself
sometimes, but never really practices a.
Celia does. and as girls must do now
adays if they would keep up with tn,
age"
Il suppose" said Mrs. Brunton, mis-.
st. George is now to be considered as
suitable wife for the young curate, ant
to be cultivated accordingly. And prob
ably slight Fastening of the match, j,
that be possible, would be a wise step un
der existing circumstances. How lon:
have you known Mr.. Poynz?"
Though surprised a little at the abrup
question, Mrs. Pennington answered
without hesitation: and all the NOR,
quickly because Mr.. Poynz was one of
group coming toward them.
''Well, bear this in mind, Cis,'' contin
ued the elder lady, in a whisper; I'm
more II p woman of the world than yot
are, and, bevond that, I'm familiar
enough t. Je almost ID the confidence OF
each party Genevieve Fosters one ain
and desire is to be admired; never minC
Interior motives at this moment. Now
and then her eyes have been tardily open
ed to the fact that another girl could b,
as attractive as herself; and Miss Foster
has not assisted to make life bed o.
roses for that girl. But the effort she j:
making to win her way now is stronger
than all her other efforts put together
and whoever stands in her way will no
be spared. All, Celia, | am glad to SCI
you, dear. How you seem to be enjoying
this first season of yours. l and you
mother have been having a chat abou
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