Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-01-10
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Il do not think Of that" she said.
almost inaudibly.
s.Ah, how can | help loving youg
You do not think of that, No. And.
if suppose that some day could
overcome the earl's dislike to me;
suppose some day that | could in
duce him to consent
He saw the color rise to her FACE,
saw the light glowing in her eyes, and
1.-THE restraint he had put upon him
self gave way.
Norah,' he said, in low voice.
sit is not for him to dispose Of our
lives. Give me your answer, WIN
you let me love you? Will you try
and love me in return? Will you be
my wife?"
1T is Impossible" she faltered.
He stood still, his eyes bent on the
ground fighting for self-control, fight
ing down the passion that threatened
to master him; then he sank down on
the seat again.
Norah did not dare to look at him.
and. with a. whispered .Good-by, F"
was turning to leave him, when a
brush slipped from the front Of the
easel. He stopped to pick it up.
forgetting mis- injured arm, but Moran
bent and got it and was placing it on
the easel when he caught her hanu
and looked up at her.
All he said, Il cannot let you go
without some word less hard, less
cruel than that!'
She had withstood his pleading
voice, though every note of it had
found an echo in her heart, but she
could not withstand the touch of his
hand. AS he looked up at her be
saw her face change, a.waye of pas
sionate tenderness seemed to pass
over it, her lips quivered, and, with
a gesture as If she were obeying an
irresistible impulse. she held out her
other hand to him. and, seeing that
he could not take both, she let it fall.
with the simple eloQuence of love, up
on his arm.
You love me-" he murmureu,
"Norah ~
She met his ardent gaze with her
frank, trustful one, and steadily,
though her face crimsoned.
"Yes-I love you!o she whispered.
4Ae put his arm round her, and
drew her toward him, passionately.
yet reverently.
my darling, my queen!'' his voice
seemed to sing. In spite of all,
you love me! Oh. my darling if you
knew how full of love my heart is,
how happy He broke of. and.
raising her hand, kissed it passion
ately, tenderly; then, as her head feal
upon his shoulder, he pressed his
lips to hers.
Norah did not shrink, bur her face
grew pale, for it was the first time a
kiss Of love such las Cyril's had
touched her lips, and she trembled.
Give me one kiss in RETURN" ne
pleaded.
Casper, lying beside them in lie
bracken, watched them sleepily the
great trees above them turned the
gentle breeze into song Of love, the
sunlight fell upon them like q bene-
diction, and all nature seemed to be
standing by. witnessing and APPROX
ing the compact Of their young and
loving hearts. To Norah, as she
knelt, with his arm round her. her
head upon his shoulder, earth seemed
to have become transformed into a
paradise. She had not loved till this
moment, she had not known what
| love meanp-but now!
Cyril was the first to speak, and il
was almost like a sacrilege to break
| the heavenly silence, to snap the spell
Iof enchantment which their happiness
had woven round them.
DO you know what you have
done?' he asked her, with mock gray
|ity as he kissed the red-gold hair that
brushed his cheek.
Norah started slightly, as ii awak-
ing from dream, and stroking his
hand with caressing movement,
looked up at him with smile. half
| shy, half grave.
What is 1t that have done?''
~Plighted your troth--you, the Lady
Norah Arrowdale-to a worthless.
poyerty-stricken artist" he said. but
there was the shadow of a smile in
his eyes. and the tone Of his voice
was not so solemn as the words.
Not worthless she murmured, her
eyes bent on his hand.
Not altogether. IL you have found
something worthy. dearest.'' he said.
But a poor and struggling man, any
way And you are mt afrasdgr
"Afraid7" she echoed.
Afraid OF what the world--the earl
will say?v
Why should care what the world
says land my father She stop
ped. but her lovely eyes were fun OF
courage. He may be angry. but he
cannot separate u.s."
The tone in which The words were
Grtr.lr1n~.