Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-04-11
CHATTER v.
Fedora.

the LOndOn mansion OF fedora's pa
tsrnal ancestors unannouneed. lie
watched his chance TO slip in with a
party alightins from a carriage. and.
strange To relate. Mas successful In
accomplishing his end,
A little survey showed him the con-
ssFyatoFy. NheF. the perfume OF many
esoties nlled the air. Here Was a
place in which he might linssr until
such time as Fedora proved accessible.
While he watched and waited. alter
nateiy laughing in a reckless way at
the sndaeity of his expectations. and
presently suli.nIy grinding his teeth
at seeing LiyeFmoT- bending over fe-
dora. with a look of ownership In his
manner. Oyer,on found his opportun-
ity.
The girl. In playing hostess In her
gTandfatheT's house. had occasion TO
pass into the conservatory in order TO
pluck handful OF flowers for some
purpose. Fearful lest this one chance
be snatchsi from his grasp by the ap-
pearanee perhaps of the hated Afri-
can hero. who haunted F-dora's foot
steps. Jack summoned his resolution
To tn. fore. and determined 10 put his
fat. to the test.
when he uttered her name. coupled
with a little Italian term of -ndrar-
ment which he had been wont to use
so t-nderiy duTins ,hos. happy days
In the paradise OF Bohemia. Fedora
startled and almost cried out.
He was Instantly a; her side. HIS
eyes fixed upon hers with an eager
glow.
Fedora knew how to master her own
feelings nil too we'll. and In the pas;
had been accustomed TO controlling
Jack as the electrical engineer with
his finger on III. button manipuiaies
the massive machinery.
My poor Jack. how did you come
hcrcT hoped to soc you quietly to-
morrow. but never dreamed of to-
night whcn-thc house II 40 full and
We ar. in danger Of Interruptions
Tomorrow would have been too
late. have u positive engagement, for
England suddenly. and IL was abso-
lutciy necessary that I nee you to-
night. else you may be certain I should
never have gone to the trouble to seek
an interview In this absurd manner.
"wcli!" shc sail. impaticntiy. tap
ping the toe OF her dainty boot on the
floor.
ovcrton stiil remained master of
himself.
Are you happy. Fedora" he asked
coidiy.
Although there are few things
that give me cause for grief. still can
tru,hfully answer. yes"
Her eyes were iowercd-thc sense
OF shame and guilt was SO heavy upon
this radiant creature that she could
not meet the stern. accusing glance of
the orbs that had wcaried themselves
many n time In her service.
II am to understand. then. that II is
your desire TO break your solemn en-
gagement with me-that from this
time pass out OF your life forever
for Gods sake at least be frank with
me. Fedora-havc you seriously con-
sidercd this step in all that II means
how often have called you my own
wife. and that our VOWS were ratified
in the sight OF heaven"
'I have considered every point"
slowly.
And your decision?"
She looked up at him-defiance
struggled with the old love that could
never be entirely crushed in her heart.
;Oh. Jack, be merciful-I could not
give up all these beautiful things that
"A woman's heart holds dear, and go
back to that life again. even for you,"
Tell me. have you ceased to love
me. Fedora he demanded in an i'm
perious way she had never known him
to show before.
Sometimes ! think so. and then |
discover 1t is not true. and that 1
shall always love you, Jack; but I
shrink from poverty-my devotion is
pitiful and weak compared with yours
Il could never endure that again"
But you need not-all | ask is that
you remain faithful and wait-by the
power with which my love endows me
/ swear to wrest honor and wealth
from the world. aye. to even your
hearts content. Can you not enjoy
your present position and still bid me
hope?"
1t was his last appeal-the yearning
cry of soul that stands on the brink.
She shook her head sadly.
81 have considered all that, my
poor Jack, but 1t would not be dealing
honestly with grandpa. who is so very
proud. and who loves me so. 1t would
be better for you to forget me. I am
not worthy of such love as you have
given me. being. after all. only weak
girl. Forgive me, Jack, oh. forgive
me, II / have wounded your noble
heart. You are angry with me, know.
Jack. Alas! what else can l do-you
must forgive mel"
He shook her hand from his arm
the flash of diamonds dazzled him.
Il shall never do that-all my life
was at your feet-you trampled on the
holiest emotions a man can feel-you
have made me bitter and cynical to-
ward your sex. I feel as though
stood upon new made grave, wherein
/ had laid all my bright hopes and
my heart Go back to your guests-to
him. I shall quietly leave this house.
and you will never again see the Jack
Overton you knew. Another will
some day take his place and avenge
his bitter wrongs. And so. goodbye" ;"
Her eyes followed his every step