Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-12-06
CHAPTER TX


dinner, Norah was in her own room.
reading volume of Mrs. Browning's
poems, which she had found in the
library; that is to say, she read for q
few minutes. then her eyes strayed
from the hook and wandered over rhe
view, and her thoughts wandered also.
Nora had read great deal, for her
life had lacked companionship. ana
most of Ter amusements had been
solitary ones; but, though love had
generally been the theme of the novel
or the poem, it had always been a
mystery to her.
In all her short life she had never
met the one man whose voice had pow
er to raise the strange echo in the
heart which proclaims the birth OF
love. She had, for instance, never
fallen in love with the curate or the
young doctor, as some girls, for want
of better object, occasionally do:
she had not only not fallen in love
with them, but she had not given a
thought to them after they had left
her presence.
But tonight as she sat by the open
window, she found that though Mrs.
Browning was delightful, to recall the
face and words of the young artist
was more delightful still.
She felt sure that it was he wnom
she had heard on the terrace. and she
wondered why she had not plucked 10
courage and asked him.
How frankly he had spoken, not
mincing his words and smiling the
conventional smile which most young
men consider il necessary to assume
when they address members of .he
other sex; and how straight and steady
was the look of his handsome, ex-
pressive eyes! She wondered whether
the earl would make inquiries as he
had said, and, if SO, whether they
would result in Cyril Burne's being
asked to dinner; at the thought. the
fancy picture of his being seated, say.
next to her, or opposite her, Norah's
face grew warmly colored and her
eyes dropped; but she did not pause
to ask herself why the mere prospect
of eating her dinner in the company
of the young man with the manly
voice and straightforward eyes should
be SO pleasant to her.
1t never occurred to her that if not
already in love with Cyril Burne, the
subtle poison had entered her being
the enemy was already parleylng at
the gate of her heart.
She was aroused both from Mrs.
Browning and her thoughts by knock
at the door and the entrance of Har-
man.
Il beg your ladyship's pardon she
said, glancing at the open book; I'm
afraid I've disturbed you, my lady;
but I've brought Becca"
Norah gave a little start She had
been so absorbed reading and thinking
that she had forgotten all about Re-
becca South.
"That is right she said; where is
she?''
Outside, my lady, replied Hartman,
and she opened the door and beckone |
Becca in.
The girl entered, and stood cycling
Norah with the expression of half de-
fiance, half curiosity, which had so
impressed Cyril, then her black eyes
dropped before Norah's kindly regard.
The girl looked prettier at close
quarters, Norah thought, than at DIS
lance, and she smiled at Hartman
with a little nod of satisfaction.
Il am glad you have come, Rebecca
or Becca, as should like to call
you said Norah.
Courtesy and say'Thank you. my
lady retorted Hartman.
Becca made very slight curtsey,
and murmured something that sounded
like the words suggested.
will you come and sit down here7''
said Norah, rather amused at the girls
half-shy, half-ferce manner. She was
like some beautiful scarcely tanned
young animal, who fears a blow, and
is prepared to retort with kick or a
bite.
Becca crossed the room and seated
herself on the low ottoman near
Norah's chair, and Norah, thinking
that they would probably come to al
understanding much sooner if the aunt
were not present. said:
Leave Becca and me to have lit
tie talk Hartman. will your"
YES, MY lady said Hartman. and
she went out, but paused at the door
to cast a warning glance toward her
young niece.
You know why asked you to cone
and see me, Becca?"
Aunt told me that you wanted tn
take me into service"
Il wanted you to come and help
your aunt in various ways. but my
idea was rather that you should conc
to the Court and keep me company
sometimes"
II should like that" she said. a.
most to herself; ~but it sounds fun
nv She addod With a raudo- which