Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-01-03

can you mean?' he said incredulors-
ly. Surely you must know her! What
possible reason can there be for your
silenceY
Priscilla still hesitated. Then. sud-
denly turning impetuOusly to him. she
said. with little gasps between her
sentences:
mir. Towner, you will never. never
forgive me. but you ought to know
the truth. and suppose must be the
one to tell you Hal Somers Is my
cousin. That was composite photo
graph. touched up so it looked like an
ordinary one. And there is no Pris-
ella North. I've been dreadfully
ashamed of the part I've had in II all,
though it was only lending half my
name and copying the letters for the
girls. so they would all be in one hand
writing. After all. I'm glad Of
chance to end it, l don't ask you to
forgive me. for | suppose you can't.
but do want to say I'm heartily
ashamed and sorry"
Towner had turned very white.
81 don't understand" he said. slow.
". at last. 'Somers Is your cousin.
but you did not write the letters"
"He knew any number of the girls at
college. but 1t was in coming to see me
he suggested the plan to the others"
How many were In this pleasant ar
rangement?" inquired Towner In q
hard tone.
"Only three" replied Priscilla depre-
catingly. You see. Hal suggested that
you needed to be educated to knowl-
edge of women and from more than
one side Most men know lots of girls.
you see. and you knew none. so these
three said they would form a sort Of
prism. and you should see three sides
Of the ewig-weibliche. you know"
81 do know indeed. said Towner
grimly. II know more Of women than
l ever dreamed"
ut was only a schoolgirl trick"
pleaded Priscilla. land we never meant
to hurt you. We thought you would
really he amused when you knew
"Amusedv' exclaimed the man with
an unmirthful laugh. You play with
a mans best feelings and expect him
to be amused. Those girls must be
specimens Of the new woman heard
defined the other day. One who had
forgotten how to be lady and not
learned to be a gentleman
II don't wonder you feel So" said
Priscilla humbly. and then there fell q
long silence.
When the gong rang for luncheon,
Towner rose and helped her to her feet
In silence.
"Aren't you coming DOWN. she in.
Quired timidly.
THANKS; no. I've food for thought"
he replied. lifting his hat formally.
The next days were gloomy enough.
Towner seldom appeared at meals. and
when he did he was taciturn. AS Mrs.
Hunter talked necessarily she did not
notice his silence. but Priscilla felt
cowed by 1t.
"Gibraltar tomorrow called some
one as they stepped on deck after din
ner on their last day.
The girl involuntarily glanced at
Towner. who stood near. and caught
his eyes fixed on her with softer light
than they had known.
Her heart felt lighter. She had sui.
fered these past days from remorse.
Mrs. Hunter went to her stateroom to
pack. and Priscilla stood alone near
the bow Of the ship.
The air was soft and summer like;
the moon shone bright and clear from
a deeply purple sky. She turned at the
sound of footsteps. Towner stood be-
side her.
Our voyage is over" he said. "Are
you going to make me any PREPARATION
for my wrongs"
How can IL" she inquired family.
you have taken away one Priscilla
from me. loved her. l was engaged
to her. The least you can do is to give
me another Priscilla In her place."
''But you don't know me-
81 know you as we'll as l knew her.
he said firmly.
"But you corresponded with her.
she faltered.
$50 will with you"
There was q pause. Towner looked
anxiously at the girl. who again will
fully kept her eyes averted.
But how can make amends" she
exclaimed at length, when there was
no other Priscilla at all?"
I you can give me one now" he re
piled. fondly laying his hand on hers
as II rested on the railing.
perhaps It's my duty" she muir
INJURED.
I'm sure 1t is." he replied. and kiss
ed her.-Woman's Home Companion.