Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-10-25

And such estates." murmured the
rector.
All, and there's something more
than the estates" remarked the squire.
he earl can't have been living up to
nalf-ah, a quarter-of his income,
and must be rolling in money!"
That will all go to Lady Norah,"
said Lord Ferndale.
Yes, and she'll be the richest heir
ess in the county or thereabouts. as
sented the squire. Poor girl, what
change it is for her,"
Il wish there had been some ladies
here tonight, said the rector, 1T
would have been easier and pleasanter
for her.
What was the earl's idea in having
US here tonight" asked the squire,
putting at his cigar with a puzzled
frown.
who can say? To try her-to see
how she would carry herself"
'Ah, and how well she did it," ex-
claimed the rector. Didn't you think
SO, Mr.. Berton?"
Guilford Berton was leaning on the
coping of the terrace, smoking slowly
and thoughtfully and taking no part
in the conversation; he looked up and
inclinedl his head.
Remarkably So" he said, in an ut
terry inexpensive voice.
4 think we had better go in" said
Lord Ferndale. 1T must be lonely
for Lady Norah,'' and they flung their
cigars away and reentered the dining
room.
Lady Norah! She had not even yet
got used to the title, which sounded
SO strangely in her ears that when it
was spoken she half looked round to
see who was addressed by it. Lady
Norah! She was Norah Frere no
longer, but an earl's daughter, and
she had come home to this vast
place with its palatial rooms and army
of servants.
Lonely! No Arab in the center OF
the desert ever felt lonelier than did
Norah at that moment, and the de-
sire for one soul upon whom she
could lean, to whom she could pour
out her heart, was so intense that her
heart actually ached with it.
Then the door opened and the gen.
tlemen filed in.
Lord Ferndale went up to her at
once, thinking, as he spoke to her and
looked down at her, that of all the
beautiful things in the room she was
the most beautiful; and he noticed,
with admiration, how promptly she
had taken her place at the tea table.
just as If she had been accustomed to
it for years.
I'VE have been away so long that
we scarcely deserve any tea, Lady
Norah,e' he said, with his kindliest
smile.
Il am afraid it will be rather cold. .
she said. Il have been looking round
for coy to put on the teapot--we
always had one at home" She
stopped and colored; it was the first
slip she had made. Il mean at the
cottage
You would like some fresh tea
said the earl Daively. 'Will you ring,
Guilford, please?"
Il think it is hot enough" said
Norah.
1T rests with you,' he said, in his
courtliest fashion.
She poured out the tea, and Gull
ford Berton came and stood beside
her ard silently took the cups and
handed Them around, his dark eyes
downcast ana guarded. but once Norah
happened to look up suddenly and
found them fixed on her hands as If
he were studying them, or found some.
thing curious in their white shapeli-
ness.
Lord Ferndale seated himself in a
low chair beside her and glanced at
the others.
Il suppose you are wondering who
we al are, Lady Norah?'
"A little, yes," she admitted
TIL try and tell you. I'm an old
fogey who lives near you in a place
called The Park. Mr.. Parfieet, or the
squire. as he is always called-well, /
suppose he is another old fogey.-he
lives at the Manor; the rector doesn't
need describing. and--there you arei'
You have forgotten Mr.. Berton,"
said Norah, with smile.
"Ah, yes. l beg his pardon, I'm
sure. Well. you know his name-and
there is not much more to tell about
him, except that he is the son of the
father's-late steward
and that he lives in little cottage
just outside the park-your park, |
mean
Norah looked across the room
again. Mr.. Guilford Berton was lean
ing against the piano. his hands be-
hind him, his eyes fixed on the
ground; statuesque and silent and as
perfectly self-possessed as If he were
alone in the room
You are wondering why your
father should make such friend OF
his stewards son?' said Lord Fern
dale