Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-17
MARK STILES SECRET
Continued from last conelndsd in Asis

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duly signed by Ferdinand Horley and pock-
eted by his companion.
VIII.
John Broom, the Undergraduate, had a
tiny cottage to himself right at the end
Of the Wilton House plantation. He had
only been In his situation few months.
but already Mrs. Molyneux was trusting
him entirely, and giving a great deal up
into his management. He drove the little
pony-carriage at times when Miss Molly
He was a handsome young fellow. with
curly brown hair. and he wore a we'll
trimmed beard and moustache. Had he
been engaged for else but gardening. his
adornment, but the gardeners were per-
mitted to wear their hair as they liked.
The day after he had carried the flowers
70 Wilton House from the conservatory at
Southam, a sudden sparkle in his eyes and
look of pleasure on his face made him
altogether a different man.
Here and there were dead leaves to sweep
up, for the melting snow had left havoc be-
hind It; and, sudden thaw setting in.
everything was damp and moist. Something
white. like paper. attracted his attention !:
It was lying IN the form Of sheet. and
dropped 1t. and what might it BET Without
the slightest intention but Of restoring 1t
to its owner. could he discover the latter.
ne picked IL up anu lOOkeu at IL.
There were few lines written there in
his cousin Ferdinand's writing. and legibly
An at once the under gardener started
came to his face. his knees trembled. and
for q few seconds everything seemed to
swim before him. What was 1t he read |?
Did bis eyes deceive him. or was he dream
II agree to pay Mark Stiles the sum Of
eight hundred pounds yearly. In quarterly
installments Of two hundred pounds, in
consideration of his silence as to the affair
Of Jan. 26th. 1896"
Slowly Julian Horley. the outcast and
wanderer, who, for his own hasty sin. was
condemned to lifelong separation from all
he loved--all that made life worth having
slowly he spelled over each word again
and again. pinching himself to make sure
80 ] have been tricked. cheated, and
All the blood In his body seemed to centre
In his brain, and his head seemed spinning
round. He staggered against the nearest
tree for support, stu holding on to the
thing In the world to him-and all the
while his lips were muttering:
"silencemsiience Eight hundred a year
for silence!'
The next instant he looked up. and saw
he was not alone. A young, slight girl was
regarding him with eyes OF establishment.
For he was swaying from side to side. and
not coward. and always saved her mother
all unpleasantness. She would tackle the
matter herself
.Broom! Are you III? What is the mat
Even as she spoke her conscience re-
proved her. The man was not intoxicated,
shock. Perhaps he had heard bad news?
He had letter of some kind In his hand.
At the sound Of her voice, the glance of
her eye. marvellous change came over the
man. He pulled himself together all at
at is this, madam, I have found. Per-
haps you can tell who Is the owner of it,"
But Fedore saw nothing-guessed nothing.
All her attention was given to the words
upon the paper Then she. too. turned pale.
paler than the young fellow had done. and
to still some sudden pain there.
II knew It ] knew i'll" she murmured.
And something very ike smile III up her
sssS na features; on1 Soua ii. 4 y Ony
is now discovered! You are innocent He
Is guilty! 1t 10 q planned thing between
them An. dear Heaven What shall do
viii you trust me, Miss Molyneux?"
Like whisper In answer to her prayer
came the voice. And Fedore.. as she looked
into the clear, grey eyes which reminded .sni dsa
had friend in this strange young fellow
that Broom. the under gardener. would
help her II he could. But alass there
was SO little anyone could do.
IF you will entrust that to me: Miss
Fedore"-he faltered tribe over the be-
loved name--'I viii do what can. Let
me have a few days. At the end of that
time. II he is alive, Mr.. Julian Horiey shall
stand before you, as / am doing"
you fool You careless scoundrel! Do
you mean to say you were SO careless as
to actually drop that paper on the way to
the inn? Do you know what 1t means TO
me II II had been picked up by anyone who
has q spite against me?"
Mark Stiles. rueful and penitent. con-
fronted the angry Ferdinand Horley. He
had come up to the Hall with q piteous
tale. Last night on his way to the inn,
he must have dropped the paper out Of his
pocket. And though he had searched every
inch Of the road he walked. there was no
trace of II.
"At any rate. you have done yourself out
of your agreement No. / shall not sign
another paper-not ~ II you have lost the
FIRST. you may whistle for the money"
her wa M N no Tres 4