Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-03
CHAPTER XIV.

Through many hours during that day
we're Nora's plans discussed at the vicar
age; but it seemed as If every proposal
must be followed by the recollection of a
drawback, and almost more than in the
days of her unnoticed childhood did the
girl feel her loneliness just then. But no
one guessed this and Celia was not the
only one who said Nora's sudden access
OF fortune had evidently put the finishing
touch to her happiness. Yet Mrs. Pen
nington once or twice detected note OF
sadness in the pretty voice. and Mr..
Poynz caught himself looking now and
then into her restless eyes, as if he tried
to trace some shadow which lay there
below their laughter Sometimes the
girls themselves escaped from these con-
slant debates, and laughed more merrily
than they did; or sat upon the uncom-
Portable green seats, and formed wild
plans OF future greatness, until they were
called in again, perhaps to hear what
was Mr. Doyle's last proposal.
And then Nuel Armstrong crossed the
room TO Nora's side. and told her per
emptorily that he must speak to her
alone.
II am going to Rachel Corr's. Will
you come part of the way, them asked
Nora with determination to hide from
all who were present her involuntary re-
luctlAye to have him with her.
She looked back as they passed through
the vicarage gate, anu returned Cela's
smile; but DIR. Armstrong never turned
his head. Nor. though he looked straight
before him, and had not yet glanced into
Nnra'S ho A.
centrated expression In his eyes.
SO they walked on in silence. until they
were nearly half way across the bog.
Then Nora. little amused by being sum
moned to a conference and never ad-
dressed, inquired, rather lazily, IL Nuel
had said alR he meant to say.
1T is not often demand to speak to
you In private now, Nora" he began, his
voice as concentrated as his gaze, but
when | do, it is for some purpose. Won
may be sure"
"Nuel," she said. thoughteully, lit
seems just as if the old time had gone
from me to-day suddenly-forever |
don't know why, but it is so; and I've
no words to say Of it. even to you, that
might hold it back for only one other
, She stopped and stood leaning against
an upright cutting of turf, as If she tried
to feel that their conference was over,
and to prevent his going further.
Mora. you recollect that Roye holds n
letter of trust given him by your grand.
father?"
YES"
Bran had laid himself down at her
feet, and her hands were linked before
her. She stood the very picture of idle
content, Nue thought, as, under the tilted
brim of her hat, he saw the happy dream.
ing of her eyes.
Nora" he said-and for moment his
hand went out as If he would have
drawn her to him as he used to do in that
uncherished childhood of hers; but in the
next his hand fell. and even his eve,
turned from her as he spoke-"did yor
never feel anxious to know something OF
your pnrentsT
She turned from him in unfeigned sur
prise, for had he not for years alwayt
suenced her on the subject?
oh, Nuel | long and long TO hear Of
them! Ever since can remember m,
best dream has been to find some on,
who will tell me of them. You neye,
would; grandpa never would let me ever
utter in his presence the-the words tina
other girls say so often. Father! Mother
have whispered them to myself in tn,
night, or out here alone upon the bog
but no one ever listened il tried to viii
faint. faint memory to hold in my heart
Have | felt anxious to know? you ask
An you could never, never know how
anxious! Are you--are you going TO tel
! me now, NuelT
IF | knew, would" he said. tn
dusky color rising slowly in his face un
der the longing, questioning glance. "And
as have long felt that the mystery ough
to be traced for you. and you ought Z
know what your grandfather had no RICH
TO keep from you, am going TO do yo
that service, Nora. No, don't thank m,
dear" he added, hurriedly. as he feigne
, to mistake the sudden question in he
eyes; IL will not be thanked for dom
simple duty. When have done Il, 20