Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-03-06

Doyle"
do you think" asked Nucl Armstrong
lifting his eyes for the first time from
Noras face, where they had fixed them
selves with surprise, that the letter you
hold may contain an inclOsure, which
would throw any light upon this matter,
DoyleW
Not the slightest. And ! have read
! the letter already" replied the attorney.
st, George gave it to me TO open, and
wished ME TO read it, This will renders
the letter void; but the letter can throw
no light upon this irritating will
els il possible inquired Mr. Foster,
that that iron chest has secret recepta-
cles, a false back, or anything of that
kind"
81 thought of that" returned the law
yer, "as examined it; but you will
hnl that the most careful measurement
will not disclose a secret recess. No,
there is no doubt at all permitted us,
though the house shall be well searched.
The only ray Of light at ali in this gloom,
Miss st. George, is your own previous as
surNnce of-your pres mt conlition.'
Yes said Nora, quietly, "of course,
knew how very poor | was. have known
il all my lie, but | never thought of it
till few days ago, when grandpa told
me how | was TO earn my own liveli-
hood"
"Oh, he told you that|' questioned the
lawyer, briskly. THAT betrays a great
deal. But ] would scarcely have believed
even that fore hought in him"
"And he nearly consented" put in VIII
Foster, eagerly, that she should accept
proposal of my mothers and so to Eng
land to study with my younger sister.
What do you think Of that, sir?'
Quietly, standing with his hands be-
hind him and his head bent forward, the
Irish lawyer listened to the unfolding OF
Mr.. Fosters proposition, and nodded his
approval more than once.
1T is the very beau ideal Of a plan"
he said, heartily. Then, if you can man
age this year of study, Miss Nora, you
will be all right, and the world will be
your oyster which you, with knowledge,
will open-eh"
ar can really afford that years
study" said Nora, in her grave. straight
forward way, Il shall not fear. I will
work so hard that when the year is
over"
We'll, when the year Is over?' inter
rogated Mr.. Pennington, with a smile.
You will see" she answered. and she
even smiled. too.
cit is only talk, Nora" whispered DR..
Armstrong. under his breath. You will
have no need to work. You forget,
Doyle" he added presently, aloud, that
this time of preparation and study in
England-as marked out by Mr.. Foster,
aud. as he AYERS, his mother-Miss st.
George must be possessed of funds, AMI
you have just informed her that she is
without this necessary adjunct"
Then what do you propose?'
Ii was Mark who put the question, for
Mr.. Doyle seemed in no haste to reply,
and the other gentlemen only gazed blank
ly at the speaker.
IL propose" rejoined Nuel, 1.-THE only
course which | see open to my young
relatiye-that Is, to accept the home to
which | am waiting to conduct her. |
am kinsman, and | have sufficient
means to provide home for her. | was
her grandfathers trusted friend, and
have been her guardian and adviser all
her life. What more natural than that
she should come to me now?"
"As for that" said the vicar. medita-
lively. "she would be very welcome, if she
came to us; but we are thinking of the
future, and for that Mr.. Fosters project
holds out much greater advantages"
Yes said Nora, smiling ut Celia:
"kind as your thought is, Mr.. Pennng-
ton, I know | could not work half stead
lily enough If lived with Celia. 1t will
be hard, of course, In any case, after my
idle life, but 1t would be hardest of all at
the vicarage"
"My offer is best, Is it not, Nora?"
queried DR.. Armstrong, flushing a little in
his eagemess.
yours is very kind, too" she answer
ed, while Will waited breathlessly for
this reply; but should not think of that
for one moment, Need say again how
determined | am to work, and not be
idle?"
Then IT," put in MIR. Pennington, 1--WE
could dispose Of Traveere---"
A wstful smile curled Nora's lips.
who would ever buy Traveere?" she
asked.
"Now, too" added Celia, when the
half of it is only a heap of rubbish"
1T Is not of very much value," inter
posed the attorney, speaking as If deep
in mental calculations; but in the event
OF all the animals going with it, Nora,
know purchaser"
The unimalsl" said Nora, wondering.
People have often said no one but grand
/ pa would have kept Borak or Snow. And
there are only the pigs. Kitty has killed
the last Of the poultry now; and the dogs
are all 80 old and lazy, and" as her eye
fell on the hearth, 1.-THE cats"
There is not a very great marketable
value, so to speak, in cat" observed
the lawyer, but STILL perhaps, my client
would include the cats in his purchase,
and be inclined to pay accordingly. or
course | shall inquire about that; mean
while we will conclude that the purchase
money OF Traveere supplies you with
funds for education and pocket money
at present, Miss Nora, and that the fu-
ture will secure its profits? Now, gentle
men, think that is all | need decide to-
day. in my new capacity of guardian and
trustee"