Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-05-01
CHAPTER XX.-(Con,inuedJ

hOw cOuld she utter Wot0 OF consoh-
dion TO mother, while she knows Arm
strong so thoroughly; knows how persist
emily he sought her up to the last mo
Ioent when he dared to venture into her
presence; while, | suppose, all the time
ne was pretending to care for Toryf No,
must not ask help from Nora; II
know what | will do"
His step quickened little in that mo-
Inent OF relief, for he had caught sight
Of his mother, with her arm in Celia's.
Soining her, and taking her other arm
within his own, while. in a new, anxious,
almost timid way, he begged Celia not to
10 away, he led them from the pier TO
mis- mothers pleasant rooms upon the
parade, aud there he told her of her
daughters fight, while Celia cried good
Deal, and spoke very little; and yet was
90 gentle and tender with the unhappy
mother, and so quiet and compassionate,
that afterward, when Mrs. Foster looked
back to that sad hour, she tancied that
Celia had been a grcnt consider, and had
made the shame and sorrow less for both
herself and viii.
II was a short story. though the moth
er's tears interrupted 1t so often, and
RDade the telling of 1t take long time.
Early on the previous morning Victoria
Foster had left home, professedly 70
gpend a day or two with young friend
who lived at Hove. That afternoon, as
Willoughby sat writing In his mothers
lodgings, while she and Genevieve were
cut, he had received letter from his
youngest sister, posted in Dover. She
cold him she had been married on the pre-
Sious day TO DIR. Nuel Armstrong at the
Church OF st. Stephen, in Walbrook; that
ehey were on their way then to Paris;
chat she was very happy and desired him
30 give her love to her mother and Gene
We've. Such a thoroughly heartess and
eelfsh letter 1t was, that VIII pretended
Gust now that he had lost 1t, and told the
btory In his own way.
"We can do nothing, I suppose" moan
cd Mrs. Foster, at last. Tory is of age
By her fathers WILL and knew the man
ehe was marrying. But you will 90 up
and see the register at st. Stephens.
WHIP
Yes, as soon az ever Lord Keston
comes down. The law proceedings are
all over now, and fancy he will be here
Tonight"
The band had begun to play under the
pier, when Mark Poynz entered and went
slowly along IL, glancing at every figure
he met, but with no eagerness of scrutiny,
For he knew how instantly he should
recognize the form he sought when he
came near enough to see it. Many eyes
Followed him, for he was not one of the
asual loungers on the pier; and they grew
tnquisitive, too, trying to reconcile the
lata with h., aviH
concentration OF both gaze and thought.
But, unconscious of any glance bestowed
upon him, Mark went on, until at last, at
che very end of the pier, he saw that his
search was over; and in his sudden great
content, as well as his fear of startling
Nora, his step slackened instead of hast
ening. So he went softly up to her and
stood beside her, with his hand on hers
and though she started little, the grave
Sh0ughtfulness within her eyes died in
otantly in the light of her great joy-a
10y which she would never have let him
bee bad he not come upon her uuawares
"Ah! didn't that startle you-the sud-
Gen splashing of the oars below? What
o ghostly little boat to come gliding so
unexpectedly from under the pier!'
Nora said this nervously, turning away
krom Mark to look down upon the water;
Tor she had remembered now, and the
childish tears rose to her eyes when she
felt how unable she had been to hide
from him the gladness his coming gave
her. And seeing this, Mark bravely still
(whtle his own strong impulse tempted
him to shatter resistessly every barrier
between them) restrained the words
which no knew she felt she might not
hear.
where are they all, Nora?" he asked,
% his warm, strong fingers held her
Hand within his arm. Hannah told me
81 am 30 glad to see Hannah back in
your service, darling-that you were all
On the pier"
$50 We are" said Nora. grateful to him
Cor speaking only thus. Isis Miss Gif-
Gard not come. them"
mo, sweet. She Is awaiting you-at
home"
81 do not understand" faltered Nora,
moving slowly on. Il have no home"
"Ah, | forgot that" said Mark, in his
cool, quiExical way, and with no sign OF
che effort it cost him to speak to her
without betraying all his heart held OF
t0ve, and care, and tenderness. We'll
W must 10 huu see now the mistake has
arisen. She certainly told me to bring
you home soon, and to say that SHE
awaited you there"
"She has been very. very kind to me,
said Nora, earnestly. Il hope | may Sc,
her again"
"You have to hear, sweetheart, the rea
con for her not coming to Brighton. L
u rather long story, and can only b,
told at home. How soon will you com,
with meT
81 wonder how Celia has gomez" sal,
Nora, wondering why Mark spoke O
home with such new aud happy tone o
voice, but never guessing how his utter
ance of the word made her own eve
soften with an inexpressible hope an
happiness. MAY we walk ON and loo
Dor her?."
They met Mr.. and Mrs. Pennlngto
presently, but could find none of the otl
ers; so they strolled from the pier, guess
ing that Celia had unthinkingly sauntere
homeward with the Fosters.
Then will you tell Va nothing, Lor