Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-03-27
CHATTER x1.-tCnntinned.

II was formed clumsily by the hands oi
the squatter. 1t was dusk even out upon
the unshcltered level, yet little Larry lio-
gan could see for half mile along the
river path But the gloom of the mlsera-
bic cabin within hurried the darkness OF
night, and the woman who stood alone
there waiting could discern little OF the
squalid scene around her.
There was II step at last, running
step, which passed the window ana hall.
ed at the door, returning as fast as 1t had
come; but Rachel knew that Larry had
pushed open the door for some one to
enter, and so she dropped her hands,
knowing that the light was fading last'
and that she had no time to lose.
Coming. even from the dark without
into the darker room, Nora could Tor
few minutes distinguish nothing; out
Rachers eyes had been covered, anu were
accustomed to the gloom now; so she
could see Nora's face, and, seeing 1t, she
stood quite still. and made no step to
meet the one for whom she had watched
90 anxiously for whole hour. For
Rachel was conscious, even in this sud
den meeting, of a change which the years
absence had made in Nora; and, vagu,
% II was, she tried to grasp and conipre'
bend 1t before she spoke. But she failed
for the difference was too subtle to be
traced through the old, glad, simple
greeting which came so naturally from
Eoras lips when she saw Mrs. Corr.
Don't look sorry to see me, Rachel,
she pleaded then, just in tn old, wistful
way; IL have been so long looking for
ward to seeing you. ] was on my way
this afternoon when Larry met me with
your note. lit frightened me little,
Rachel; but surely nothing has happened
which could make you sorry to see meT'
"Not yet"
"Not yet" said Nora, her tone very
quiet and pitiful, but her eyes clear and
fearless, as she stood leaning against the
smoky chimney, trying hard to follow
Raches meaning. lis 1t about SHAM
The question was interrupted by a cry
from Mrs Corr. and then the worus
seemed literally to totter from her lips.
yes. about Shan. Miss Nora. IL can
not break 1t to you as meant. It's about
Shan. He has sworn on oath that to-
night--at darkhe will shoot-Mr. Poynz
lat Traveere"
The womaD's face was covered in the
gloom; but Nora still stood looking at
her, waiting for the meaning Of her
words to shine out of this awful mist,
thought itself suspended in that moment
AIRY hush.
That's what had to tell, Miss Norav'
cried Rachel, breaking the silence sharp
iy in her torture. You understand it
now-my misery, mean-for. oh! pray
the misery is only mine!'
'"To-night-in the darkness" question
ed Nora looking with straight, direct
gaze through the open doorway as she
approached it,
Little Larry Hogan, dirty and ragged
stood just in Nora's way as she ran down
TO the river path; but though she spoke
30 him. and put something into his sticky
hand, she did not pause second. Rap
Idly now the darkness was setting like
clOId upon the bog, and Nora was
grateful in her heart Tor It's cOncealment
even in spite of that other remembrance
OF what else it was to hide. The way
was so familiar to her that no light
was needed Tor a guide, and the swift
footsteps never paused nor diverged. Ii
was just beside the fallen pine--where
year ago. win Foster and Mark hal
found her-that she turned from the riv
Ell, and ran straight across the painless
fields toward Traveere.
For moment she paused then, for ole
Kitty sat alone before the low turf fire
anu in that moment it seemed to Nors
as II she must be going up to her as il
the old times, frankly to tell her plan,
ami her perpleXties to this sole conf
dante OF hers. But just as Kitty turned
with the vague consciousness of pres
enec IN the room, Nora remembered
clearly and distinctly, all that she mus
leave unsaid.
Saints be good to us!' cried Kitty
Knocking over her stool as she arose t
her feet. us it yerself, Miss Nora? an
be yerself alone, an no purrson wild "
this hour o the night! The finder hearr
ye come to see tn ould place agin
An it's meself wurr thnkin' o. We tn Il
an we've shOckened me now at all: 70
be's oulder thin | used to be, me dear
an II gives me a burrstin' o. ME hear
to see ye so suddinlike, an 'thout gu.
pectin we. Come up to the fire. dOat,
for it's just starvin' We look. SlaI
Whurr bes We goin'. SO cowd an sti
as y areT
TO Mr.. Poynz." said Nora, as sh
crossed the kitchen. lis he in the sittin
room. Kitty, and no one with him."
mo purson, BARN Bran, me dear" r.
turned the old woman, bordering Nora
words and manner; "on'y Bran, tn on
laze. lyin' liver an alwis afore the fir
jist whittier THUR bes one or no. Mi
Nora, doaty, what is it y're wantin w
che gintleman?"
"A message, Kitty. What is he doing
"Writin, me dear. It's all this bliss,
day sin, tay time he's bin at il. Da,
but it's yerself that's quare intirel
wantin' to so into him, an jist afth
lightin the candles an shuttin' up e
the night, on'y there bent nothin'
shut; an why he comes it's hard
know, an | thought it quare. But no
saints forgive ye! it's yerself that
Quarcr. Miss Nora. dear. That shou
live to see this bissed day, an yer SO
90 throubledw
While she spoke Kitty had been Z,
lowing Nora from the kitchen and aero
the hall; but what was the use of fms
ing her sentence? Miss Nora evident
heard nothing of it, and only look
around just for one moment to give
smile before opening the door. a
then went on into the silent ROOM