Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-05
CHAPTER Ii.

NNppS IlSi 1JltI SldE COlhpdilN -
Hugh Parker came on Monday. Mr..
Norton briught him out from the city
with him.
I did not stop to speculate as to
why dressed myself with even more
care than usual that afternoon for
dinner. l was not allowing myself
TO be too self-analytical nowadays.
Tom had gone with James to the
station for the two gentlemen. When
Grace and I, in the nursery. heard the
car. approaching up the drive, the
child asked me If she might go down
to greet her father.
Certainly you may, dear" I acqui-
esced. You are all ready and look
as sweet and fresh as a pink"
kissed her affectionately, She was
growing dearer to me with each pass
ing day.
l went to the window and listened
to the greetings exchanged between
the new arrivals and Mrs. Gore, who
was on the front steps to welcome her
brother law and his guest. 1t was
the first afternoon that had not gone
in the car TO the station or stood on
the veranda when the master of the
house returned from the city.
I thought that I was remaining up
here to-day because 1 was, after all.
not a member of the family. l did
not know that I was forcing myseIr
to stihe my desire to see the new ar
rival.
1 heard Tom and his companion
chatting merrily a they mounted the
stairs and turned into the wing IN
which their rooms were situated. Then
remained at the nursery window,
of the great elms in front of the
house.
Il started guiltily as I heard my
name spoken. and. turning, saw my
employer standing in the open door
of the room.
II was wondering where you were, ="
he remarked. TT wasn't nice to come
home tonight and not find you wait
ing-for us. Why didn't you come
DOWN."
Il don't know" I said truly. per
and 1 did not want to intrude."
MIR. Norton Advances
'Intrude!" he repeated reproachful-
ly. "Child-you are very blind little
girl"
The expression in his eyes made me
want to run away. 1 glanced at the
open door. Seeing this. he pushed the
door shut. but did not latch it.
Please" I said quickly. do not
ClOSe lIldJ QOOT. some one may come
up-and il would look queer
felt myself flushing and he under
stood He flung the door wide open,
and, standing on the threshold. held
out his hand to me.
Forgive me II was inconsiderate,"
he pleaded. But there is something
I want to say TO you. Have you ever
been up on the roof at this time of
day to see the view as the sun gets
low?"
NO" 1 shook my head, II have
not. But" desperately, sit is getting
late. 1 must be going downstairs to
see about Grace and her supper"
"Listen!" He held his hand up
smilingly as Grace's treble was borne
up the stairs to us. Miss Dart" she
called. please may 1 go down and
see them milk? Ezra will take care
of me, he says. Please, may l go?"
"Of-course she may" the father said
in low voice. Tell her So"
Yes, dear" I called back. But
come back soon to your supper"
"All right" she promised. "I will"
Now we will go up and see the view
from the roof" the man said.
1 felt dazed as 1 followed him up
the steep stairs at the top of which
he opened a door, and turned, holding
out his hand to me.
Now" he said, when we stood side
by side on the fiat roof of the big
house. Look"
The view was indeed beautiful. 1
drew a long breath of admiration,
mingled with relief, The admiration
was for the view; the relief was be-
cause my companion seemed almost
to have forgotten me in surveying the
landscape.
You see, he pointed out, New York
lies in that direction. over there is
the road by which we come from the
station. You can see the smoke from
one of the trains that is just pulling
out of the station away off there be-
hind that hill. 1 am glad we cannot
see the station itself. Railroad sta
tions are always suggestive of trains
to be caught"
listened and made suitable replies.
How silly l had been TO have fancied
that there was something new in his
manner! He looked more tired than
usual, that was all, and perhaps this
had made him appear nervous.
But suddenly my heart gave a star
tied bound, then seemed to stand still.
For Brewster Norton seized both my
hands in a close grip.
Dear" he said impulsively, "I have
known all along that you meant a
great deal to me. But this evening,
when, after having been through a
sort of private purgatory in town to-
day, 1 came out here and saw you
again-well. I knew 1t was all up
with me. 1 did not mean to tell you
vet. Elizabeth-but have got to say
IL. Can't you see that / love you?"
"Ohv 1 snatched my hands from
him and hid my face in them. trying
to shut out the look in his eyes. "Oh,