Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-17
From
Darkness
To Light

'"''' bllNdlt lldu IIclF own NloOih "H"
semi-conccamcnt naturally, or rather ar
tiicially made IL, it's little iron gateway
was screened entirely by lnurcls skillfuIy
planted beyond. Against this low gate,
on the day before the arranged depart
IRE for Brighton, Nora stood, deep in
thought; while scarcely a breath of the
wintry air touched her, and no sound
disturbed the silence there
Quietly and unpcrccivcd she had left
the house. because Celia had Unopened to
mention that Miss Giffard expected Lord
Kcston; and she would stay here in the
shadow aud solitude until she could feel
sure that he must have left the cottage
again. Never, If She could possibly help
it, did she venture to meet Marx, know
ing how her own courage wavcred in the
presence of his, and how hard il was to
feel they were really to live their lives
apart, while he, with such quiet deter
mination, acted as if ii need not he So
Just as IT," Nora whispered to her
sclfii that sad truth were not truth; and
as If ] had not promised so solemny. Yet
he himself has said / shall not break that
vow, and he would never tell me a false
hood, even"
snapped the thought like the swapping of
Il thread; and there came into the girls
eyes a strange, mute yearning which was
new to them, and inexpressiby pathetic.
"Have you heard Miss Giffard's last
decision, Noraf" Mark asked, coming up
to her just as if she had been expecting
bin. "She has decided not to go to
Brighton yet-herself, | mean he added,
quickly, because, watching her so anX-
iousIy, he had seen the shadow of u great
disappointment fall on her face. 81 do not
mean that she has delayed the departure
for all of you, Nora, darling; only for
herself She would not have done even
that" he went on, speaking heavily lit
tie, for he was certain now Of what he
had feared-that she longed to avoid him,
and TO leave the spot where he could
see her 80 often, and where his home
lay, only that she feels her presence
necessary here--for n time. She had in
tended to 20 with you and return alone
earlier, but she has arranged otherwise
now because Mrs. Pennington is coming
up tomorrow, and will take charge of
YOU and Miss Pennington, while | GO
only to take charge of Foster, eh, sweet
hearty
"Shall you stay in Brighton?" asked
Nora, utterly failing in her effort to make
The question Indifferent while her heart
beat with such a two-fold fear-the fear
| for herself in his presence, and the fear
| for the long days when she would have
| to live her life without him.
"No," he answered, gently. 81 wish
might, though. Yes, | wish it, i'm spite
Of you, dearest. Do you dream for
moment that | should be stayed by your
GOODNESS or caprice? All, my beloved
| you little know me if you imagine It..
The strength of my love could not be
turned aside by such a triAc- What?
Il real smile at last! How precious they
are to me, now that they come so sell
dom"
A little pause, while Nora stood very
still, the faint color coming and going
on her delicate face, as she suppressed
her pain, MS well as her love.
mo, sweetest, | am not going to stay
in Brighton" Mark repeated, breaking
the silence Mt last, in a tone which told
nothing of the strong will resigned; for
| have business which must take me
away for a little time. 1t viii be very
hard to leave you there, Nora; but come
that l may hasten our reunion and
leave you with old friends who love YOU,
and in a spot where you will win hacl,
the old bright health and girish spirits.
II am quite well now" said Nora, wist.
fully. Quite well, though | am not like
what | used to be; | can see that in the
face of everyone who looks at me. 1t is
not because | anil now. 1t is | am
older-and
80 much older, Nora, darling" SAID
; Mark, with an involuntary movement, as
if he must take her in his arms to com
fort her, but refraining instantly, "that
kyou ought to be wiser. But never mind
probably wisdom will come with the gra,
hair. Now | must go on to meet Doyl,
in Guildford."
"Is Mr.. Doyle here again?" questioned
Nora, with the same mixture of shrink
, ing and longing with which she thought
y or spoke, of all the friends OF her OLE
life.
"Yes, dearest, Doyle is rather busy IL
: this neighborhood just now. ! believe h
would tell You he had ease here. III
-, laughs heartily at being sent for to he'll
v our London solicitors. Another blush
sweet? How delicious it is to see ther
. once more! Do you know, Doyle recos
II nized our house in a moment" Mark ado
~ ed, while again the blush rose at hearin
y that pronoun which he used as IL ther
" could be no thought, for moment. of hi
. . possessing anything which was not her
u too, from the sketch he had seen in Mr.
Il Corr's cabin"
&c but | thought your house was close
and had been closed ever since"
u "And shall be closed" concluded Mari
promptly, in her timid pause, until il
q master and mistress go to live there L
i, gether, in JOY the old house never hi
u known yet No one shall occupy II III
{ I'll then, my love-"
y, "Good-by," said Nora, simply, but ey
20 IDENTIFY without a thought of stayin
&c when he did not wish her to do SO.
&c After passing the gate he could n
look back and see her walk to the hous
~ aud it was well he could not; for Il
II tears she had so gravely kept back
: his presence burst from her now beyol
~ restraint, and she stood in the gloom al
70 solitude, with her face hidden in h
70 hands, sobbing piteously. .eta
: II cannot help it," she moaned to he
l self when at last the tears were stay