Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-17
m Vs. pmV
NORA'S Jest
BY MARY CECIL HAY
BY MARY CECIL HAY
Cu1rTrR XvII.-oContinuedl

4
remembered that once before you wished
10 go on % Florence at once, and missed
thc train through my delay I've han
SOU here, sir. and there's train from
Wot9 Green which will be in time Rich
ards Wall >mcet it at the Great Northern
station with your own cab, and he VIII
have your portmantcau We thought we
bad better be- ready for the Dover mail
from Charing Cross. or course, if it isn't
necessary, sir, no harm is done.
The man moved away when he had said
thjs, but Mark had paused with the tclc-
EJann unopened, and was looking sadly
isto Nora face.
~ may have to leave you at once.
Nora he said, speaking low and earn
extiy. "And-l had never thought OF
thIs-"
She smiled little, not quite under
standing it all A crowd of people were
passing 30 and fro; a crowd of instru-
rSeufs were rushing through an overture;
sftc was standing still, waiting to under
stand; while Mark was looking at her,
with great sorrow in his eyes and
something more.
Hope will soon bring me back when
have The power to come, Nora, he SAID.
~lou understand ne. don't youE l can
mot 40, letting you misunderstood me.
You know what you are to me, my own
belovedY'
-"ics-I know"
The words were clearer than his words,
Though scarcely comprehended yet.
81 shall miss you very much,' she said.
And then she stopped for little girl
who had been running before them trip
ped and fell, and Nora gently raised her
10 her feet and Kissed her, while the child
sOnked wonderingy into the white, sad
fsee.
'"My thoughts will be with you ever,
Nora Let us say good-by alone, here, my
HarliRg Then must take you to them"
''Good-by," said Nora leaving her hand
On his. I'll shall miss you so very,
very much. This has been pleasant
day, hasn't it? am glad we came. Per
baps tomorrow will not be very different
from to-day, Perhaps a new--scene of
things may not--open. You will be back
soon, you say. How the music changes,
doesn't it? ! forgot that this overture
was SO sad now and then"
"GOod-hy" he said again, wondering at
Bier tone as he unwllingy released her
hand. "Good-by, my best beloved"
When they reioined their party, they
found, to their great surprise, that Nuel
Armstrong was with them; but there was
no time for any explanation from him.
Mark hurriedly told of his telegram, and
the arrangements his servant had made,
snd then prepared for his own departure.
Ere kept Nora at his side now, openly
and resolutely. He seemed to see no one
else 1t might have been that the place
hcid no one, TO his knowledge, but the girl
who walked by his side, trying so hard
10 maintain her old gay and debonair
spirit. And, though the others looked so
regpetfully at Mark Nuel Armstrong
see58eS to watch only her.
On, Nora" Mark whispered, as they
went down the terrace steps, "if it could
but all melt away, and leave us two alone!
j long 10 shy what is in my heart to-
might, and cannot-here."
''lf you intend to catch the mail at
Cbaring Cross / advise you not to miss
any train from here" observed Dr. Arm.
Gffong.
Graham will see you all safely home, '
said Mark. And then he had driven off
his gaze to the last riyeted on Nora's face
Whenever you like to go home, Miss
st George" said Captain Graham, won
Sering at the rapt expression in her face
MS she stood listening to the distant bells
the beautiful, slight figure drawn to its
full height-"tell me, and we will start y
Van will like TO so now, Nora" vii
Foster said; and she started at the chang
cd tone. II see that you will, dear" h,
added, trying to speak more easily; FOL
bis eyes had been suddenly opened now
M they had never been while every on,
had gently tried to open them for him.
''Not until Celia wishes it-unless Mrs
Pennington does" began Nora; but Nue.
Armstrong; clear, raised tones interrupt
cd her.
Excuse me, Foster, but have some
thing 20 say to my cousin"
please say it here" entreated Nora
shrinking from him as Will courteousl
moved away.
''You would soon be sorry IL l did-an
angry, too" rejoined Nuel, offering he
his arm. at is not for the world I
hear Nora"
Without taking his arm, she wake
with him until he stopped in quiet co
ner Of an outer gallery, from which tn
world looked very still and wide and cali
that August evening, while the churc
bells rang softly still, far away as
seemed. But, though Nuel had been
hurried, he paused now in silence
deep as was hers in her great calm; an
II was only when at last she turned an
booked at him in her surprise that /
broke it, speaking in voice as concel
trated as had been his gaze at h,
through Marks farewell.
Il SAW the arrogance OF Mr.. PoyI
when he set out, Nora, and l fancie
perhaps he entertained absurd ideas
-of paying attention to you with su
cess. His arrogance will be short-liye
enough, though, aud l have come
prove that. You know what was to
your love test Nora. Well, l have dol
rny part, and stood the test. have SUI
ceeded, darling, as men only succe,
whsn they put their hearts into the
work, and am come to claim my +
ward. OF course-of course" he adde
eznphatically, in Nora's silence, at WI
not TO be expected that l should To-
you for years wholly and entirely as
have done, and win no return. Now
Ka for my