Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-10
CHAPTER XVII

little cry OF JOY, as she stood above III,
! lake, II have found her at last! | have
found Miss Archer! DO you see heI
there, sitting by the lake? Would you
would you mind going back alone
pleaseI must speak TO Helen
He conIprehended her wish to go alone
| but made her promise not to return with
out him. Then he stood and watched
| her to the spot, noticing how others
watched her, too; but he turned AWAY
hurriedly when he saw her greeting to
Helen. Yet these two friends. when the
girls glad and tender greeting was over,
fell into a strange, pathetic silence, while
each lOokd into the others eyes, but
with such IA widely different gaze!
Helen whispered Nora, presently, be-
low her breath, have you been illE'
Then Helen raised her hand and GOV
cred her eyes for moment before she
spoke.
NO, not i'll. How good It is to see you
again, Nora! And you look 80 happy and
so beautiful. | have heard much OF
your beauty and your charm, dear; but
you are just what you were in the old
days. except that you are more But
perhaps the dress makes the difference
And where have you been since the
old days. HelenY Nora asked, trying not
to look pitifully into Miss Archer's fac e.
Il know you did not receive my letter;
but-did you quite forget me, or wish to
lose sight of me?'
II wrote once to Miss Foster, asking
If might hear of you she said, but |
never quite expected an answer. ! had
gone into Berkshire then--they knew
where-and have been there ever since"
And have you been unhappy ques'
toned Nora, very sadly.
"Oh. no, quite happy. They were all
most kind to me-most kind. am only
leaving them now because my pupil is
going to finish her education in Germany.
| have been very fortunate" she went on,
in her patient, grateful tones, broken now
and then by short, dry cough, which
struck Nora like blow Don't look 30
moved, dear. III | seem changed to you,
it is only want of rest. and that only
through my own fault. My pupil is
very quick and clever girl; so that | have
had to work hard to keep in advance Of
her. Ii was all night work, of course
to be done after she had left me-and il
tells upon me now, perhaps. more than
IL would have done when ] was girl"
"You are a girl now" said Nora, ten
derby, land you will soon be strong,
have a care in the world If can prevent,
or anything to do except enjoy yourself;
and all your time shall be leisure; and
we will go wherever it is most healthy.
and travel easily. And you shall have
sea air, and such care and love, Helen
I've looked and waited 80 long for you.
Say you will come with me now"
mo; that cannot be-" said Helen, quite
firmly. though the tears had gathered in
her eyes while Nora spoke. "On Mon
day, when | leave this pupil. have an
other to go to, whom they kindly found
for me. She is little grl--an only child
so the teaching will b. easy and light"
How soon may go to thsi lady.
Helen, and beg her to excuse you?"
"Oh, no, that must not be-" Miss Ar
cher answered. hurriedly; II must GO"
Then you shall 90 just for month";"
said Nora, with regret; land you will
leave them then and come to me- | shall
fetch yon when come back from Ire
land. Where are the rooms you have
taken, Helen?"
II will give you the address," said
Helen, writing it as she spoke. "You-
YOU will not give it to any one else, dearY'
Not to any one" said Nora. making
the promise readily. and resolving silent
ly that these two rooms should be made
comfortable before Helen went TO occupy
them.
WHO is with you here, Morn 2" inquir-
ed Miss Archer, after a little silence,
during which she had found it hard to
realize, even yet, the fact of Nora's ten
der, loving attachment TO her.
Mrs. Pennington and Celia"
THE little friend you left behind in
Ireland, and loved so well. and from
whom you were always expecting long
letters?"
You haven't forgotten, thenT exclaim-
Nora, deightediy, And Mr.. Foster is
here"
Il thought So" smiled Helen. "You
are to marry him very soon-his sister
says. My pupils sister told me this. She
told me many things Of them and OF you.
when she came home after this season.
And how did you evade Mr.. Foster to
come 10 me, dear;n
| lie was net with me, We came on
Captain Graham's drag, and Mr. Poynz
was with me when saw you. and he will
come for me again. Helen-oh. my dear,
wish | could give you a little Of my
health"
III is nothing" said Helen, losing the
sudden pallor which had startled Nora.
II cannot expect"-with faint smile
Ito look healthy all my life. dear. And
but | must go. Good-by, dear little
| friend"
Her eyes were quite dry, though a HIT
tie feverish. when. with the gentle kiss
of her pupil on her lips, she turned
away, and felt that all the world was
better and brighter, aud more faithful for
that hour she had spent resting by the
lake. And Nora stood for few minutes
looking after her and thinking. while
Mark came slowly up. She repeated 10
him, as they went back TO the palace,
much that Helen told her. and her own
plans to make Miss Archer happier for
that month. and then to win her to stay