Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-03-13

She shuddered with agony as she pro-
nounced the word.
But, madam, have you not heard? Mr..
Horley is doing we'll; he will soon be out
again. My father has seen HIM. He pro-
crosses well and steadily"
The reaction was too great for Fedore
With sti1ed cry she fell back in her chair,
swooning for the second time that day.
Once more 1t was Fedore's birthday. but
a different one to the last The snow was
softly falling, and already fair white
carpet covered the earth. young girl,
clad in black gown, with white furs coy-
ering her neck. was roaming the grounds
of Wilton House. 1t was the anniversary
of very sad day, and though Fedore Molly
neux. for the sake of others. tried her hard
est to look bright and gay. inwardly her
heart was sore and bleeding.
This winter her mother and herself decided
to- spend at home. 1t was all the same to
Fedore where they went or what they did
The zest of her life was gone. Her joy
would never return, for never one word
had she heard of or from Julian Horley
during the long, dreary twelve months that
Ferdinand Horley reigned at Southam
Hall. Everyone said Julian would never,
never come back. The disgrace would be
too great. Besides, he had made all over
to his cousin. as the only compensation for
the great and grevious wrong he had done
him.
Ferdinand Horley was not backward with
his visits to Wilton House, but he rarely, IL
ever, got a sight of Fedore. She always
seemed to know by intuition when he was
expected, and as cleverly as possible man
aged to be out of the way. But this morn
ing as she roamed along. choosing for her
self the path where the snow did not lie SO
deeply, she suddenly looked up and found
that Ferdinand Horley was approaching
her. Yes, and he did not mean to let her
escape him this time. That was plainly
visible from his face.
"Fedore I" he exclaimed, stretching out
an eager hand of welcome. why, what
stranger you are to me Do you know l
have hardly spoken to you, all the summer!
Surely you do not lay to my door the miser-
able quarrel of last year? But you are
totally altered toward me-"
young girl snatched her hand out Of his
ri am glad you think me stranger"
cheek glowing. 1T is what should ever
wish to be. AS to laying at your door the
quarrel Of last year'--her tongue was
81 sngng and there Is no need 70
Ferdinand Horley. being In perfect fg-
norance as to Clara's part in the affair of
last winter, was utterly unable to account
crossed him that Julian had written to her.
Perhaps she even knew of his whereabouts.
and was corresponding with him.
'.Of course you would take his part
against me- he said sadly. THE one who
is In the wrong always gets the most SYM
pathy. But. considering he confessed to
the deed himself. and begged my forgive
haps you have heard from Julian? He has
made you a confdantef
Her face blazed with anger.
at have not had one word or line from
him!" she retorted quickly. 81 know no
more than you where he is.if he Is dead
or alive. But 1 do know this, 1t was be-
that he committed the fatal deed Of wound
ing you. But he had provocation. Deny
II II you dare"
II do deny II. most emphatically !" was
his reply. and his face was pale. DO not
expect pity or sympathy from me. Look y
and he suddenly uncovered his temples.
and Fedore saw long, livid scar upon his
brow. cas- long as. bear. this mark. do
you think I can feel peaceably towards the
giver Of it? As to provocation, what do
you know about it?"
"A great deal" was the reply Fedore
with her hand upon her bosom, was striv-
ing to calm herself. Yes. more than you
know or I have the word OF one who
say. Ferdinand Horley. to make your cousin
SO angry, What were the words he or
dered you to unsay. or else take the chance
OBI Of his Is. just anger' What were those
II really cannot remember''--he slaughed
uneasily. Some little quarrel or misun-
rious nothing to make Julian ny into
devil Of rage. and try to brain me J"
II know what they were." Fedore re-
turned calmly. Tney W6re~aDout me. Iou
dared to speak disparagingly of me. and
Julian Horley, being gentleman and
friend Of mine, resented the insult"
He tried to laugh the matter of. but her
words had gone home into his soul. In
wardly he was quivering with anger. That
stiles's girl should have dared to make
such mischief Stiles should know Of 1t.
and. unless he kept her mouth closed. he
should receive no further quarterly pay
ments OF two hundred pounds.
81 can but deny It, whether you believe
me or not" he replied. But should not
have thought this Of you. Suffering. as
I do, from the results of my cousins evil
temper. the least you could have done would
have been to give me your sympathy T.
81 have none to give.
The words were proudly spoken. Then.
with naughty gesture. as IL of farewell Fee
dore Molyneux turned from her companion
and made as II to continue her walk.
Ferdinand Horley saw his mistake IL
he wanted her sympathy he should have
humbied himself. professed regret for the
past, then. in time. she would forget II, and
turn to him again. For there was never
any likelihood now Of Julian turning up.
He had signed away his inheritance by
stroke Of the pen. II only he could get
forget Julianl He ground his teeth In an
UQr har, me- mn, ha an w ha ttr1ar