Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-03-20
CHAPTER V

The morning of the 2Sth OF April was
so fair one that it even rose brightly
above the grimy roofs in Great Cumber-
land Place-so fair that 1t looked with
sunny smile even through the dim win
dow of that sitting room of Helen Ar
cher's, in Randolph road, kilburn; so
fair. that it was just AS it should be, for
the dawn of that impossible day which
had lived all night in NOras dreams. And
as she dressed-dOnning few stray items
Of girlsh tinery, which relieved the som
Der backness of the wel-worn dress, and
going constantly to the windows to look
up, she sang softly TO herself, in the glad
ness of her heart.
Nora's breath came in a gasp MS she
looked out. The handsome drag, with its
high, cushioned seats, the shining OF the
silver on the harness, the liyeried SER
wants, Mr.. Poynz sitting so still. with
that dangerous collection of reins in his
hand and, above all, the four FESTIVE
horses with their glossy coats and arohed
necks, filed Nora with wonder of hap
piness which actually benumbed her. as
pain might have done.
Without giving any reason for his
choice of route, Mr.. poynz drove round
| through Kew and Richmond; and, though
! he rarely addressed Nora when she sat
so utterly silent in the intensity Of en-
joyment he still had ever an answer
ready for each OF those breathess ques-
lions of hcrs-un answer which taught
her something of the spots they passed
while it seemed only idle summer chat.
Presently the houses stood more thick
ly on the margin of the road, then cus-
tered about a long green, across which
the horses sped among a few scattered,
watching figures. And then the last coun-
try town was passed, Mark said. and
they would soon be in Guildford. Then
they turned eastward from the town, aud
rolled on. down sheltered lanes aud across
baby river TO such sweet and tran.
quill valley that it seemed as If that world
of London which they had left in the
morning must be in another hemisphere
And there, before them when they stop
ped was an old gabled house, standing
broad and low on lawn of smOOthest
brightest turf, and from the gate cam,
WiIloughby Foster, running like boy t,
welcome them, and very ruddily conscious
; of his error the moment he found himsel
r attempting to reach Nora first of all.
won an answer to his cheering remark
and then the horses were led away, tn
wraps deposited in Wills rooms, and tn
e little party set out for the spot wher
. they were to dine, and where Mr.. Foste
. had invited other guests to meet them.
n When the meal was over and tn
party dispensing Mr.. Poynz came up t
- Nora, as she stood by one of the tin
IL.
Miss st. George" he said, will 20
= come with me for few minutes? wan
r to show you the lake, They will all b
II down there presently, and" he adde'
d following the direction of her eyes, mis-
1. Archer has been taken possession OF. 20
% see, by that pleasant old lady with tn
il gray curls. Come"
m They went, talking merrily the Will
I. across wide, sunny stretch of gras
e and then up little wooded knoll. Bl
Is when they reached the top of this, an
Mark said, There's the lake" they stoC
le quite still, to look down upon 1t. II Ia
N ON their right, in the hollow beyond tn
is rising ground and on their left, facir
the water, stood a silent, uninhabt,
r. hOuse-a long, lofty building OF gr,
D, stone. with pointed arches over eve
III loor and window, and a tall tower
r.. each corner.
o. Nora's eyes went back again down 4
n gentle slope to the water, and then
H. the house again: then once more to 4
NJ lake shore, fastening themselves the
or upon low, closed boat house, the Il,
eaden roof of which caught the sun IA
,r, and held them hotly. Then the cir
IA gaze, growing more thoughtful and pr
in zled, slowly traced the path from Il
little boat house to one wide, low "
m low. opening like door lie the tow
Ir nearest the lake, upor he eaStern aide
OF the house.