Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-17

q
while he was searching the road, he ran
against neatly dressed young fellow. who,
bag in hand. was on the road to the sta
ton.
II say. young man. you. haven't picked up
a paper hereabouts. have you? 'Tisn't the
slightest use to anyone; but twas bit of
agreement between me and someone about
the rent Of a house."
The young man paused; then suddenly
some remembrance came to him.
Well, l did zee something like that on
a bit OF paper caught up in our planta-
tion an hour or so ago, but took 1t to my
mistress. Twas found her estate, I
thought as she was the proper person to
Dire CONSERVATION was upon the mans
face.
"Your mistress. young man-who might
miss Fedore Molyneux." was the prompt
reply.
upon his shoulders. First of all, he must
get to town and procure some suitable gar
ments in which to keep his appointment
Soho. he must beard him in his restaurant,
and demand a full, free confession, or hold
over him the powers of the law.
Before many hours were over once more
Julian Horley trod the streets of London,
a free and innocent man. Never. never
had he felt so light hearted. never 80 bliss
fully happy-except when he thought Of
the reckoning with his cousin that doomed
in the distance.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand Horley himself
was enduring a decidedly bad time.
He had no idea whatever OF giving up
the game. fondiy imagining the paper might
have been blown away, never to be heard
Of again. For Mark Stiles had not thought
1t worth while to return to Southam House
and acquaint his client with the change of
fortune.
No! He had hurried as fast as he could
back to his restaurant. there to fall into
the hands of the man he had helped to
wrong. Seeing the game was up, he made
a full. frank. and free confession. he lost
his quarterly payments thereby-he lost
everything, and in a few weeks time he
was roaming the streets as beggar, not
knowing where to seek a crust or shelter.
Meanwhile, Fedore wandered about like
some unquiet spirit. The only thing she
could not endure was to rest within the
house. Mrs. Molyneux watched her daugh-
ter with many uneasy glances.
What she most dreaded was breakdown
OF nervous powers, for she could see that
Fedore had not in the least forgotten her
sorrow.
why, she cannot settle down and make
the best OF things, her mother exclaimed
peeyishly to herself. Il cannot imaginel
comfortable home and plenty OF money
yet, just because it is one cousin who offers
it and not the other. she will spoil her
now. fear. and shall have her on my
hands for the rest of her life"
But things were turning out very differ
emily to that mothers expectations. Two
days after she noted a great change in Fee
dore; her whole face looked somewhat diff
ferent; the lines of care and trouble were
smoothed away, and she was smiling to
herself instead of frowning.
After all. she sees her folly, do be-
lieve.. thought Mrs. Molyneux. II shall
soon be able to send for Ferdinand"
Several times she thought of speaking,
but checked the words upon her lips.
Il will send him note" she said to
tea this afternoon"
The note was written and despatched
Then Mrs. Molyneux, having business in
the next town. ordered the carriage and
drove away for the afternoon.
An hour later there arrival at
the house; some visitor. in/warm outdoor
coat. munied up to the eyes, was shown
into the drawing room.
Miss Molyneux," he asked for.
Before she could answer the summons,
footstep was heard outside. All eager
ness and pleasure. Ferdinand Horley had
answered the invitation In person. Bustling
and consequential. he came in. Mrs. Molly
neux had asked him, and she left the coast
What did that mean! Why. that Fedore
at last was giving way. She saw how
useless 1t was to banker after past MEM
cries. She was going to turn her attention
to the present. and together they would
Full Of these. happy thoughts. he UNI
fastened his thick coat, and put down his
hat and gloves
Don't announce me-" he said to the
waiting msia the t snSs myself ELF
Then q mighty trembling seized him. His
Jaw dropped, sudden paralysis seemed to
creep over him. He tried to move, but was
weighted as IL with lead
His tongue seemed glued to his lips. II
was an eternity of torture, all summed
up In the space Of heeting moment.
For there was a huge mirror on the wall
opposite him, and there, In it's clear shin
ing centre, he saw the reflection Of Julian
his injured. deceived cousin-and be
knew all
with one bound he was away. forget
ting coat or hat; he was out into the freez-
ing air, running as II for his lifa
At length he stumbled. something dark
was In his path. With a crash he fell
over II. Then came a singing, heavy pain.
q dizzy swimming before him. and all was
dark and cold as death.
X
Two people stood In the dimly-lit draw
ing room of Wilton House-two people SO
utterly and entisely. blissfully and rap
turously happy that everything else
seemed blotted out of their minds. For
Julian Horley was once more In the pres
ence Of the girl he loved, and had con-
fessed to her his ruse for keeping within
the halo of her sweet shadow.
~ could not stand II any longer. Fee
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