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

towards the white. pallid face upon the
pillows. the escaped criminal. took himself
noiseessly from the room, one yearnng
word escaping his lips as he passed the
threshold:
Forgive. Forgive!"
Then the door closed softly, and he was
Almost at the same moment the patient
relaxed his features, tore off the extra
self. and hid them under his pillow. Then
he summoned the nurse. and expressed his
intention of rising from his bed. He
seemed so much better. and there was no
Doctors orders to the contrary, she per-
mitted 1t.
But she was hardly prepared to receive
her own discharge, which took place when
Ferdinand Horley was up and dressed in
his comfortable armchair by the fire.
Really, nurse, l feel much better
can release you now. And please accept this
A bank note was slipped into her hand.
and there was nothing to do but to obey
orders. She did not know that her abb
sence was desired in order that he might
receive another visitor. and one who he
received in quite different style to the
first.
than Ferdinand Horley sent for glasses and
whisky
'show Mr.. Stiles ZIP when he arrives"
was the order to the obliging iandlady
Mr.. Stiles opened his eyes wide 10 amaze
ment when he saw the bandaged head. the
whiskey and the glasses.
Guess you did It a little more thorough
than you intended, Mr.. Ferdinand" he said.
with cautious laugh when the iandiady
had retired. Never mind. though, II it's
well done
didn't know he could throw like that. By
Jove when crashed against that fender
saw million stars, and thought my last
hour had come! But did it pretty well.
didn't L? You see, I've done the dying
part on the stage before, so I'm well up In
81 never saw the likes of it. Mr.. Ferdi-
nand; thought you had popped right on
1 did. indeed. And was wondering how
ever I'D get clean out Of it,"
'well, you shall have the price we agreed
guessed he would And it's right as nine
pence. He's made every mortal thing over
to me for my lifetime And l guess I've
done fairly well for cracked head" :,
Made everything over to you? Whew!
softly whistled his visitor.
Now. sec your little game. Mr.. Ferdy.
BY Jove! But you're a bold 'un. You've
got 1t all right and tight, and no one to
square but me, eh? All, now!' and he al
tered his tone-"you never thought that
what you give me for the use of the room
/ shall want a nice little round sum paid
regular. Two hundred for the room-that
was the price And III have another two
hundred every three months. II you please
You see, you can afford 1t. you've come In
for tidy little fortune. All, yes. know
the income of the estate! You see. was
butler there in your uncle's time. You
haven't forgot that have you?"
".
Mrs. Molyneux wished with all her heart
that she had not come to town this winter.
Perhaps. II they had stayed in their coun-
try place. all this would never have hap
pened. For she quite believed that Julian
had only accepted his cousins invitation be-
cause he knew that she and Fedore were
coming up 10 Grosvenor Square.
She did not know what to do with Fee
dore. She was not exactly i'll, only so
quiet and broken down that nothing seemed
to rouse her. And to summon a medical
man meant telling the whole pitiful little
story, thing the fond mother was 10th to
do. She waited necessarily upon Fedore,
hardly letting the servants approach her.
She was trying to bury the whole matter in
oblivion. Fedore must not spoil her whole
life because she had started wrong at the
outset.
The first day wore on towards the even
ing. and still she could not rouse the poor
girl
'If he had only written! n he had
only seen me before he went away I"
This was her one moan, the cry continu-
ally upon her lips And Mrs. Moiyneux dared
not try and make her understand the
truth. She knew herself the reason of
Julian's silence. He did not come, because
he dared not. man. fleeing for his life.
q price upon his liberty, would not think
of adieux In his dire extremity.
About eight o'clock In the evening visi-
tor WAS announced for Miss Molyneux.
her mOtner was CONTESTANTS resting nttio
after the fatigues and trials OF the day;
SO that Fedore's maid ushered the strang-
er straight into her mistresss room.
The young lady will not know my name"
was the modest remark from a dark-haired
girl but ! have very urgent business
with her"
So 1t came to pass that Fedore who was
sitting with her hands before her. her
eyes gazing vacantiy into the red embeFs in
the CRATE. was suddenly startled by the
entrance of stranger.
Someone to see you. Miss Fedore."
And the maid departed, leaving the timid
young girl upon the threshold.
Come nearer, please" said a sweet.
low voice Tell me what business you
have with me-"
Fedore signed towards an empty chair
facing her, but the girl needed 1t not. She
stood In front Of the fireplace, and her
hands were nervousy ciasped together. Fee
dore thought her tall and handsome. and
was drawn towards her by the sweet.
dreamy look in her dark eyes.
you are In sorrow, is 1t not sol" she
said softly. And, madam, shall only in