Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-06-07
A Noble
Revenge.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Clara Leslie was Gordon Clyde's prom
ised wife, but last night she eloped with
her lovers bosom friend, Lawrence May.
Betrayed by the girl he loved as he did
his life betrayed by the man he trusted
above all others, Gordon Clyde walked up
and down with rapid strides the best
room of Leslie Cottage-the room in which
he had spent so many happy hours with
Clara Leslie
His handsome features worked as If he
was suffering from some acute inward
pain, his arms were folded across his broad
chest, and his chin rested on his bosom.
From a far corner Mary Leslie, pref
ty, gentle girl Of 16 or thereabout, watch
ed him with a sorrowful expression Of
countenance and teardrops in her great
dark eyes.
Would he never cease that rapid walk !
Would he never speak to her? What could
she say to calm the tempest which was
raging in that strong mans bosom?
Such We're Mary's thoughts, when sud-
denly Gordon stopped walking and said
fiercely:
"I hate her! hate him, and as surely
as am standing here I will some day be
revenged upon them Doth!
And he flung himself into chair.
sob, Gordon, Gordon, don't talk like
that" And Mary crossed over to where he
was sitting and put her arm around his
neck. II know she has wronRed you-he
has wronged you, but Vengeance is
mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay.
Leave them to him, Gordon"
He threw off the hand that clasped his
neck and sprang to his feet.
Don't preach to me, Mary Lesliel OF
course you'd like to save your cousin, but
I'll be revenged on her! / hate even the
name of Leslie, and I'll leave this house,
that has been my curse, never to enter it
again."
The young girl stood Mortified for a mo-
ment, but as Gordon rushed past her to
the door she cried:
Gordon, Gordon, listen to meP'
The words. which seemed wrung from
her heart reached his ears He gave one
backward glance. He saw two outstretch-
ed arms and q white, agonized face. For
moment he hesitated, but 1t was only
for a moment the next he was gone.
Gone Mary Leslie sank upon the floor
and burst into tears. Ever since she could
remember she loved Gordon Clyde. She
never thought her tickle minded cousin
good enough for him Child as she was,
she long ago foresaw what was going to
happen, and how often she had prayed
that Clara would be true to Gordon!
"Oh, if he only knew how much care
for him, he would not say he hated the
name of Lesliep' moaned Mary.
Gordon Clyde was one of the wealthiest
men in his native place. He always lived
on his money without having profes
sion or occupation, and, as a matter OF
course, it was the cause of much comment
when he made known his intentions OF
going to the metropolis to engage in some
business.
1t was bitter cold winters night. The
snow lay thick upon the ground, and the
wind whistled through the city streets.
A gentleman, well muffled from the bit
ing wind, was hurrying along the deserted
street when a woman stepped up to him.
"For Gods sake, sir, help me! My hus-
band is dying, and my little one is starv.
ingp'
The woman's teeth chartered with the
cold as she spoke, but it was not her chat
tering teeth nor pitiful story that made
the gentleman turn and gaze intently at
her blue, pinched face.
"Great God, Clara Leslie" he cried
Gordon Clydep
And the woman shivered as IL with a fl
Of ague.
For four long years Gordon Clyde had
waited for this hour. The wretchedly clad
woman must have noticed the pitiless look
in his eyes, for she cried:
| GsGordop C1yda 7 cinnad aoyaipct
he sinned against you; but our punish
ment has been great. Misfortune has fol
lowed us since the night we left my aunt 4
cottage. He is dying, and l am in the
street begging such a night as this. Have
mercy upon us, Gordon Clyde, or Wei
perishp'
She raised her hands beseechingly as she
spoke. She saw his features relax, and
the pitiless CLEAN was no longer in his
| eyes.
Vengeance is mine, and Twill repay
saith the Lord Leave them to him, Cor
DON"
Mary Leslie's voice sounded in his cal
once more. All, how often had those words
rung in his ears during the last four years
But the demon of hatred within him
would not let him heed them. His
thoughts went back to Mary Leslie now
as he looked down on the woman that had
so cruelty betrayed him.
After an absence of four years Gordon
| Clyde had returned to his native place
and once more we find him in the house
| he was never to enter again, Leslie Cottage
He is sitting before the glowing CRATE
| fire in the coy parlor, waiting for Mary
Leslie. He hears a footstep in the hall and
| he rises The door opens, and Mary, who
Is now beautiful girl of 30, enters I'm.
| til now that she stands before him she did
not know who 1t was wished to see her.
"Gordon-Mr. Clyde" is all she can
say as she extends her hand to him.
He takes the little hand in his and looks
down at the pretty, blushing face
MARY, are you glad to see me againi
Have you forgiven what / said to you the
last day was here, four years ago?"
"Gordon" A little hand rests upon hi:
arm, and two dark eyes are raised solemn
ly to his face. II have prayed for you all
these years, and my prayers have been an.
swered The first letter from my cousin
In these years came yesterday, and SHE
| told us how you saved her husband from
death and Of all the comforts and luxuries
you heaped upon them 1t was a noble
revenge, Gordon"
"It was thoughts of you, Mary, that
made me act rs did" And he pressed a
| kiss ON her brow.
And in short time Mary became Cor.
L ~ u