Free press., 1907-02-09

downcast Fedore was beautiful cir
gifted with strong intuitive power. sh
she never liked nor trusted Ferdinand Ho1
ley. His face haunted her with its veal
shifty expression and eyes that never locke
quite straight at her.
AS the travellers elected to reach Londo
on the same day. and chose the same trai
by which to travel, it was not unlikeI
thing but that the young fellow woul
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
very unpleasant surprise was in store TO
clench his hands for second and gnash hi
teeth with rage. For did the
train empty itself of its passengers thar
Ferdinand perceived his cousin Julian will
two ladies in tow-one elderly, the other
the pretty Fedore, whom he had long Sc
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 if a
woman was going to complicate things.
Yet he was thoroughly master of him
self in a moment. and advanced with smil-
ing face to greet the arrivals.
What a charming surprise !'' he said, as
he shook hands with the ladies. Julian,
you humbug! 1 know now why you were
anxious to exchange country existence for
He looked longingly into Fedores beau
tiful face, with its piquant expression. He
had never seen her look SO supremely hap
py. And there was little lingering over
the farewells between the young people that
made him feel downright savage. The
brougham was waiting for Mrs Molyneux
seeing them into it.
Remember, We expect you on the -26th -
she said Then she waved her hand, and
the ladies drove away.
When they were 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
rapturously. I'm going to have rat
thing good time, too! The Molyneuxs-''
He stopped short. There was look up
on his cousins face he did not understand
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 26tb.
Mrs. Molyneux has asked us both. They
"Oh, well, we won't quarrel over that -
exclaimed his cousin pleasantly. Wen
dine together quietly, you and I and then
we'll put in an appearance at the kids
No more was said, but Julian saw enough
in the few minutes he had spent in his
cousins company to know that something
allied Ferdinand. Perhaps the poor chap
fde G in 1ih him up Perhaps S6 he sec could do some
thing for him. It deuced hard lines to
be hard up. especially when one was not
used to it.
Clara Stiles was surprised beyond meas
urS when she was LOlQ In0re would De 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.
Clara puEsed up her lips lips Omi9ously; sly . She
to trife with her; once he had met her
upon the stairs in dark corner, and had
away the insult with as sound a box upon
the ear as the situation allowed But the
her father had been butler and valet to Mr..
Ferdinand's uncle. She supposed Mr.. Julian
was the heir; but what sort of a man he
could be to be on friendly terms with his
cousin Ferdinand she could only guess at.
She was sorry for him, if he were a nice
young fellow; if not, it did not matter.
friends visit that evening, but it was
permission of which she was not able to
tacking her, she was only able to lie down
upon her small bed in the room over the
dining apartment and for a long time she
She did not know that her father with
his own hands laid the little table for
the cosy o corner NEE sheltered by large folding
Here, with a bright fire burning. the
good old cIaref put to. warm by the fender,
the wax candles sending soft, mellow
light upon the silver and flowers decorating
the dinner-table. was 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 paler than usual,
and seemed a trife nervous.
It's an out-of-the-way place, old fell
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 1 give
him a turn when 1 can. Anyhow, it's
better than anything my old landlady could
do for u.s.
Julian. with his heart in rapturous