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

longer" he reiterated, with slow signiii-
canoe, as she started up with brilliant,
flashing eyes.
What do you mean, Nuell Speak
plainly. | am little bewildered to-day.
What did you say about my namer'
Nothing against it, my DEAR" DR..
Armstrong replied, with his stiff smile,
"for il was your GRANDPA theirs. and, Of
course. your mothers"
only fathers, you mean" Nora correct
ed, slowly, But her fingers had grown
little nervous now, and she pushed her
hat from her forehead, as II it's light
weight oppressed her.
That said Nue, poIntedly, sis what
your grandfather chose that you and ev-
cry one else should believe; but that was
not the truth. Your fathers name, for
some reason which the old man best un-
derstood, was kept secret. Possibly it
may have been best to do 30; but per
haps there Is justice yet to be done to his
memory, and |, who love his child so de-
votedly, will do 1t. Hushl Don't thank
me, darling, till come TO you some day
and tell you of your father, bringing you
his name, without n stain upon it of dis
honor or of-crime."
"What7"
The girls cry was sharp and sudden,
as now, with both hands, she pushed her
hair from her temples, and the white
fingers chung there as II their hold sus-
tanned her.
Yes" said Nuel, though Col. st.
George died in the fullest confidence that
your fathers name would disgrace you,
Nora, 1t was perhaps only because he
did not love you enough to trouble him
self to investigate. That is left for me;
and to-day, when heard that at last the
wealth is yours which you so well de-
serve, determined that your own name
should be yours, too. determined that
| would restore this to my love, and then
| should have no wish unsatis6ed; for
you would be honored in the world, as
well as wealthy and happy"
Perhaps no happier" put in Nora, low
and dreamily, as IL she uttered the
thought uncOnsciously
But you must be happier, DEAR" said
Nuel, meeting her eyes fully for the first
time. Your grandfathers name, Of
course, is good and honest name"
Eyes, he always said So" Nora remark
ed, quietly in DR.. Armstrong; inexplica-
BILE pause.
"And you shall bear that till | bring
you a still higher. II l cannot find it
pure and respected, you must be sorry
for me. Nora, for l shall feel, even more
keenly than you can do, the disappoint-
ment for you. Then ! shall lay my own
name at your feet, and you will take it,
and no one will ever hear from me q
secret which Is ours alone"
Not mine" cried the girl, passionate
ly. mo secret that Is yours is miner
Then tell the world" rejoined Nuel,
icily, how your grandfather would not
let you be known by your fathers name.
because be thought II disgraced:- hut that,
as you wish and choose to bear it now,
you would drag the poor, forgotten, dis
carded name even to the light of Grim
iual court"
THAT is what-you offered to do"
What | offer!' cried Nuel, bending to
look into her face, with a smile. which
she did not attempt to return. My
darling, you know me better than that,
even in the moments when you are cold
est to me. No; listen moment, and
will explain what | will do for the one
You will keep your own name at present,
and everyone will love and respect it for
your sake. But, as it is not yours-as
1t is not yours" he repeated, empha teal
ly, while her wide, gray eyes were still
upon his face, by any legal right, | shall
spend that time in seeking for you the
one which is your rightful inheritance.
If it is stainless, you shall bear it proud
ly then, my darling. If not, you and
will keep the secret well, and go together
from the society which always looks so
coldly and cruelty on disgrace. Nora,
your grandfather never guessed that |
should boldly undertake this commission
for your sake; but, my darling, he al
ways wished YOU to trust your fortune TO
me, and died in the full confidence of
your doing So"
He never said So" Nora interposed,
YEARLY.
He said so to me often-almost every
time saw him.. said DR.. Armstrong,
his thin lips closing now and then over
the slow lies. "Oh. you will obey him.
know, presently, Nora. shall not hurry
you, dear; l have never hurried you, be-
cause | felt so sure your grandfathers
wish would be fulfilled, and you would
be mine at last. Not"-his breath grew
just the least bit aborrd and uncertain
here, but Nora did not notice it-"not be-
cause il Is impossible for you to marry
legally and honOrably IN the name you
bear, but because | shall have given you
then the truest possible test OF mans
love. Nora, If resign my practice here,
and for the whole summer pursue this one
aim, you cannot refuse me my recon-
pense when | succeed. Darling. is not
that a fair love testT Could you your
self give any lover a more trying one?
Acknowledge, Nora, that the man who
would do that must love you beyond
measure"
'Yes," said Nora, answering absently,
"And could you do less for your faith
er's memory than give yourself to the
man who clears his name from all re-
proach, and gives it to you? Let 1t be
Yes, and then see how eagerly | will go
to my task"