Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-10
From
Darkness
To Light

|
ing current.
"Sit in your own place for one moment
Nora young Foster said, "while | stand
here upon the steps and run the cord
through; then you can judge OF It's
length"
lie took her hand, and held 1t until she
was comfortable in her seat; and then
he put the rope through the rudder, and
laid the two ends in her lap,
Just try it for two minutes he said;
and, stepping down into the boat, he put
off from shore without u pause. But he
coorcd painfully when he met Nora's
questioning, laughing glance, for she evil
| IDENTIFY thought just then that the un-
moorng Of the boat had been mistake.
"rwo minutes" she said. presently, as
he pulled hard against the tide, with his
head bent and his lips closed. I'VE have
been twice two minutes, Mr.. Foster"
Isn't 1t lovely evening" he asked
her, hurriedly; and loveler upon the
water than anywhere. | will take you
back in a few minutes, Nora; but let me
have taste of exercise and you taste
of rest"
So, not Mt all unwilingy. In the calm
summer evening time she leaned back
In her cushioned seat and looked around
upon the peaceful scene on which the
slanting sun rays fingered; and she never
noticed how hard and fast Will Foster
worked for his own purpose. But when
at last he laid down his sculls, and the
boat began to drift slowly homeward
with the current, her eyes were suddenly
opened to the new, intense earnestness
upon his usually happy face.
You are not n very clever oarsman,"
she said. quietly, though her heart began
to beat ns she remembered how fast he
had brought her from home, and how
she had involuntarly allowed him to do
so, while she dreamed the time away,
mot at all clever, indeed, Mr.. Foster, or
you would keep your SOULS and sit back
upon your seat"
Il don't want to seem clever this even
ing, even to YOU" returned VIII, with
rather forced smile. IL want to seem
only whit | am. Nora-very much in
earnest, dear, in what | am going to say
tonight, because I've so often tried and
failed"
PLEASE fail this time too
Il cannot" he said, and his hands were
tightly clasped az he leaned forward with
his elbows on his knees. "My heart is
too full tonight to be silent. Nora, | love
you so dearly that surely you will give
me one little promise to care for me in
return. cannot expect such love as |
reel for you, though even that may come
| in time; hut promise ME you viii care
for me little, Nora"
u do" responded the girl. gravely. 81
T...
| little, for never forget what compan.
ions we were years ago, both in mischief
and out of mischief or how Won have
| been my friend ever since but can
never care for You more than do to-
night; and that is only as friend"
But YOU will feel differently, Nora,
darling Surely, surely you viii accept
me some day?'
II shall never change to you, WILL"
she said, very gently. IL am as sure that
| shall never like you more, as am thar
shall never like You less Please let
things be as they are. Life is so pleas
ant now"
But things cannot he MS they are"
cried win, with rising vehemence. at
is not to be supposed that YOU will not
marry-you of all girls"
Il cannot yet; perhaps | never can"
Nora said it with strange, quiet sad
ness, and her face had grown very whit,
But when she met her companions blank,
increduous gaze, she smiled a little, ana
her own friendly. easy manner came
slowly back to her
'Of course YOU will marry" persisted
viii. why, everybody wants you now. :"
Il shall not marry everybody"
I'm sure the young man went on,
heavily, no one could be SO devoted TO
you ms | am, and have been since I
was going to say, since went back to
Ireland and found you grown up-but--
but | declare" he added, ruetully, II
don't believe can remember time when
was not devoted to YOU"
81 do. | remember when you wouldn't
carry little Larry Hogan home from Fin.
tona on your back, though asked you. "
81 cannot laugh fretted WILL even
at the memory of that truant day of ours.
when we stumbled across little Larry in
the dark as we came home. No, | re.
member wouldn't carry him, for he
was a muddy little object; but would
now, Nora, at the slightest hint of yours,
and in my best clothes, too. Do listen,
dear. and tell me you will try and like
me enough to marry me. Don't always
jest"
IL don't think I always Jest" said
Nora. while, lighted by one swift ray OF
thought she saw not only her isolated
youth, but possibility of Stunned and
isolated age. IL am not testing now,
But see how pleasantly we glide with the
- stream. You could not change the boats
course without making everything less
pleasant. could you? SO why should We
disturb IT."
But, just looking your future seriously
IN the face, Nora, dearT pleaded the
young curate. his voice full OF trouble
I'm the natural course OF things your
drifting will be disturbed, as you say
So why not choose now who shall"
Disturb it?" put in Nora, laughing
though her cheeks again had grown very
pale. mo, not this summer. please"
II have loved you always" reiterated
win. going back to his once strong ar
gumcnt, though since you have been ricl