Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-25
MARK Stiles SECRET


'''' ~ b'
John broom. the under 90 rdener. had 9
tiny cottage TO himself right at the end
Of the Wilton House plantation, lie had
but already Mrs. Moiyneux was trusting
him entirely. and giving a great deal up
into his management. Hs drove the little
neux wanted 10 30 into the market town.
lie was a handsome young fellow. with
curly brown hair. and be wore q well
trimmed beard and m1u.tache. Mad ~
mistress would have objected 70 the latter
adornment. but tho gardener were per-
mi Ths d 10 " ss,sr 'h Sa IA sS'r ea a. ssey ,bs nk a"xer,
70 Wilton House from the conservatory at
soq,ham. a sudden sparkle ~ bis eye. ana
altogether a different man.
Here and there were dead leaves 10 sweep
W. for the melting snow had left havoc be-
e es"p ~ss damp aS' ana moist. Something
white. like paper. attracted his attention
II was IyiHE ,,n n the e., form wS Of a oa snss'' :Ss
dropped It. and what might II be7 without
the slightest intention but Of restoring IT
10 It's owner. could he discover the latter.
There were Il few lines written there In
his cousin Ferdinand's writing. and lcgibly
All nj once the under gardener started
ah II he had been shot. A great Wilderness
came 70 his face. his knees trembled. and
for u a few second" econ w sSs,'t na seemed Zen s,.S y
Did his eyes deceive him. or was he dream
Ing?
eight hundred pounds yearly. In quarterly
lbHtaliDents VI two hundred pounds. In
confederation Of bis silence as to the affair
Of Jan. 2Gth. 1896"
Slowly Julian Horlcy, the outcast and
wandercr. who. for his own hasty yin. was
condemned 10 lifelong separation from all
he loved-ali that made life worth having
I-.I. ~. al soAr Annh 0nEL n0alu
and again. ~pincbing himself TO make sure
s., 80 have been 'r'e.ed. cheated and
Al the blood In his body seemed 10 centre
In HIS brain. and bis head sesmed spinning
round; lie staggered against tho nearest
paper-ths paper which might mean every
thing In the world 10 blm--and all tho
"n!is d a's ~, Mere % EiSs, 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 astonishment.
For he was swsylng from aldo To side. and
muttering under his breath. Fedore was
ali unpleaasn,ness. she would tackle the
"Broom Are you M what 4. the mat
20 interest you HoT"
Even a. she spoke her &c. eS";oi.nI. re-
s .Sael. "'f r.ys.p S''i be- " had heard si% bad news
lie had q letter Of some kind In his hand.
At the sound Of her voice. the slsnc" Of
man. He pulled himself together all at
ut {. this. madam. ! have found. Per.
Ills hands trsmbIed M he gave II 70 her.
nut Fedore saw nothing--g guessed nothing
upon n. paper Then she. TOO. turned pale.
psler than the young fellow had done. and
her hand va. pressed 70 her heart a. II
II knew ~ knew ~" she murmursd.
beautiful features. A.. Julian. = only {
Il now discovered You arc innocen,i lie
them Al. dear Haven't What shall ! DOT
VIII you trust me. Miss Molynsu1"
Lik. whisper In answer to her prays,
zane the ycl..' Ana r.dors; a. 'h" 1o"ssd
her so painfully Of Julian. knew that shs
had . friend In mi" strange young tslio.
was 3" il,,is .n,o ""'' could 90. MAJ" y"
~ you viii sn,rust thst tn me-. Miss
E 'o,:S "an., !1''s III e. Z ', "s., oyer cam the f esi
Time. Il he ,s alive. Mr. Julian Horley shall
T'"nd before you. as : am doing
you mean IN say you we're 10 cAreIsss ~
IN actually drop that paper on the way 10
the innf DO you know what II means To
mo y u had been picked up BY anyone who
Marx stiles. rusfui and %penitent. con-
fronted the angry Ferdinand IIcvIey. liz
tale. Last night. on his way to the inn.
he must have dropped tbs paper out Of his
pocket. And though be had searched every
Inch o. the road he walked. there was no
trace Of II.
AT any rate. you have dons yourself out
Of your agreement. No. ] shall not sign