Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-18

Tented, the condition that the marriage should
not take place till Norah was twenty three and
thus he had never known the risk he had of
being routed in open warfare.
Her father did not inclined to ask her what
she meant by that curious phrase, keeping out of
the way" Finally he said with accent of COM
promise, I've just been to the inquest"
Well?' she inquired
They have brought it in murder, naturally"
said Crampiron And there is a good deal of sus-
picion attaching to Maurice, seemingly"
"Maurice!" She Strengthened herself
Maurice" repeated Crampiron firmly. Has he
seen W YOU"
He has written; but have not answered"
You did well, my girl, said Crampiron grimy:
Norah displayed no curiosity as to the assumed
basis for suspicious against Maurice, and her father
offered no explanation. " Is that ALL? she asked.
No" her father bruskv replied Il have to tell
you that your engagement must be broken off -
"Why?' The interrogation shot from her like a
Why" cried her father. smackng his knee.
why! You ask why: Because the Courlander
family isn't family to marry into now Because
it's all too fshy. Because Maurice is Because
it's not good enough. Because / won't have it.
That's why'
There was another silence. Norah. instead of
Maurice, she said in low voice.
That's all right"
But not for any of your reasons,
whats that?
You heard me, father" -...-
Inarticulate anger rumbled in his throat; and
then he remarked, So long as you agree not to
marry him, you choose your own reasons If
you take my advice you will begin to think about
young Odcastle again"
Lord Percy Oldcastle was the of man in the
city who had formed fairly correct notion of
Cramprons wealth, and had suggested alliance
between the Scotch peerage and the South African
plutocracy. Lord Percy, having Norah. had
done all that he could carry the parental sug
geston; but his success with Norah had not been
radiant.
She put her perfect lips together and leaned her
body forward 1t would have to be done quickly
wouldn't it," she said and laughed dryly.
AS quickly you please" Crampiron responded.
He obviously disconnected.
Lord Percy is quite-straight, isn't he:" she
queried
He's as straight as they are made Much
as fond of you as he can stick; you know that"
And do you think your daughter is the proper
sort of girl to marry straight man.
The frightful, destructive in her clear frgid
tones reused in Crampiron something which hitherto
he had managed to control. He sprang up and at
her, and with clenched hands and veined forehead
stood over her, threat incarnate
What do you mean? he shouted.
You know what l meant" she said and drove
him far the edge of evaporation.
He seized her by her frail shoulder in a convusive
grasp By Heaven!" he began.
Then she wrenched herself from him. and fled
with physical fear in her eyes. And even as she
departed his tone changed, and he called after her,
in desperate appeal, "Norah Norah!" and hurried
into the hall
'Norah already flying down the steps to the
gravel
He hesitated and the momentary hesitation per-
haps altered the of both their lives. For
when he decided to follow her and catch her and
use different language to her, she had vanished