Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06

knew q good man from bad one. And
she never liked nor trusted Ferdinand Hor-
ley. His face haunted her with its weak
shifty expression and eyes that never looked
quite straight at her.
AS the travellers elected to reach London
on the same day, and chose the same train
by which to travel. 1t was not an unlikely
thing but that the young fellow would
eschew the smoking carriage and beg per.
mission to seat himself in the compartment
with Mrs. Molyneux and her pretty daugh-
ter. So when the terminus was reached q
very unpleasant surprise was In store Tor
Ferdinand Horley, and one that made him
clench his hands for second and gnash his
teeth with rage. For no sooner did the
train empty itself of its passengers than
Ferdinand perceived his cousin Julian with
two ladies in tow-one elderly, the other
the pretty Fedore, whom he had long Sc
cretly worshipped.
Now, what on earth were they doing In
London? And why must they choose this
very time. when he most wanted his cousin
all to himself? 1t seemed. after all, as II
woman was going to complicate things.
Yet he was thoroughly. master OF him.
self in moment, and advanced with smil-
ing face to greet the arrivals.
what charming surprise! J" he said, as
he shook hands with the ladies' Julian,
you humbug l know now why you were
anxious TO exchange country existence for
a town one -
He looked longingly into Fedore's beau
tiful face, with its piquant expression. He
had never seen her look so supremacy hap
by. And there was a little lingering over
the farewells between the young people that
made him feel downright savage. Inc
brougham was waiting for Mrs. Molyneux
and her daughter But Julian insisted on
seeing them into 1t.
Remember, we expect you on the 26th J!
she said. Then she waved her hand, and
the ladies drove away
When they gone Julian saw TO his
own luggage, and when Ferdinand was seat
ed with him in the hanson he turned to
him and wrung his hand in gratitude.
Good old chap to ask. me up!' he said
DS sSod time % s0a The Z
He stopped short. There was look up
on his cousins face he did not understand.
1t was almost scornful.
to stay with me, haven't you? But you
seemed to be making arrangements with,
out any reference to that" -
"oh. it's only for Thursday, the 18TH:
Mrs. Molyneux has asked us both. They
have kids party on. and ! promised.
"Oh, well, We won't quarrel over that !!
dine together quietly. you and 1 !; and then
we'll put in an appearance at the Kios
party
cousins company to know that something
allied Ferdinand. Perhaps the poor chap
was hard up He must get him to con-
thing for him. 1t was deuced hard lines to
be hard up, especially when one was not
used to 1t.
Clara Stiles was surprised beyond meas
ure when she was told there would be no
work for her that evening. She scarcely
credited her father when he informed her
the restaurant would be closed to the public
all day. Only two visitors would dine there
in the evening, and they were Mr.. Ferdi-
nand Horley and his cousin, Mr.. Julian.
hated Mr.. Ferdinand Horley. He had tried
10 trife with her once he had met her
upon the stairs in a dark corner, and had
even dared to kiss her. She had wiped
away the insult with as sound box upon
the ear as the situation allowed. But the
matter ranked in her mind Years ago.
her father had been butler and valet to Mr..
Ferdinand's uncle. She supposed Mr.. Julian
was the heir; but what sort of man he
could be to be on friendly terms with his
cousin Ferdinand she could only guess at
She was sorry for him, IL he were nice
young fellow; IL not, it did not matter.
Permission was given to Clara to pay her
friends visit that evening, but 1t was a
permission of which she was not able to
avail herself; for a terrible headache at
lacking her, she was only able to lie down
upon her small bed in the room over the
dining apartment, and for long time sne
lost all consciousness.
She did not know that her father with
his own hands laid the little table Tor
dinner for the two guests, drawing It into
the cosy corner sheltered by a large folding
screen from the rest of the room.
Here, with a bright fire burning. the
flames lighting up the rudy tint OF the
good old claret put to warm by the fender,
the wax candles sending soft, mellow
light upon the silver and flowers decorating
the dinner-table. was a veritable paradise
when the wind was bitterly cold outside,
and snow already beginning to fall.
So thought Julian Horley when he
stepped into it in company with his cousin
Ferdinand The latter was paler than usual,
and seemed a trife nervous.
tits an out-of-the-way place, old TEL
low" he said in apology. as they were COM
ing along In the hanson. But you re-
member stiles? He's started the restau-
rant and for the sake Of old times l give
him a turn when / can. Anyhow, it's
better than anything my old landlady could
do for u.s."
Julian, with his heart in rapturous
tumult when he remembered the delight In
store for him-for they. had promised to be
at Grosvenor Square by nine-was In
humour to be pleased with anything.
And the pretty table filled him with ad-
After all. there's nothing like an Eng,
lish winter" he said. when ! think OF all
the years spent abroad travelling In search
of pleasure, as I called 1t. why, 1t strikes
me / left the best part Of 1t behind In the