Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-06-02


And so, after little more planning,
and a little iove-making, the council dis
solved to meet again for active duty in
The morning. l4 esg
stella was brushing her hair about ten
o'clock Of the next forenoon, when Susan
Dale, the chambermaid, came up to tell
her that |" Miss Althea wished to see her
in the parlor, right away" She finished put
ting up the long heavy coils of silky, loose
" curling hair, and then went down. De
Vries was standing by the window, look
ing out, with his back to the door. He
did not turn nor look up when she went
in, but Miss Montford got up and came a
few steps toward her. az
81 have sent for you, Miss Blake, to in
form you that your services are no longer
needed in this house," she said, with cool
hauteur. ave have all the servants for
which can find employment without
you, and as you are the latest, 1t is your
place to leave, which | wish you to do i'm
mcdiately-this forenoon. The hostler
will take you and your trunk wherever
you wish to be carried"
:" Mr.. Montford hired me, madam, and
shall not 60 until he dismisses me- Stel-
la answered, quietly, but with flashing
eyes.
"Very we'll but remember, If you stay,
that you will be understood to stay as Mr..
Montfords companion. If that role suits
you, suppose you can accept it. / do not
know as his children can help themselves
if he chooses to disgrace himself and them
by keeping you"
Stella grew white as death. She turned,
81 81 hn ouA foil
forward into the hall, in dead faint, just
ss Mr.. Montford opened the outer door.
"Good heaven-Stellal Why, IL the
child dead !" he cried, in q sort of helpless
excitement, trying to lift her in his arms.
mo fear, I guess" Althes said, coldly.
+" You cannot kill some people. Don't
make yourself ridiculous, father, any
more than you are naturally" She had
not meant to say quite that, but her anger
at his sudden and unexpected return made
her quite beside herself.
"Althea Montford," he cried, turning a
face full Of terrible rage upon hez, " it
wouldn't take many SUCH speeches as that
to make me kill YOU Pm not such fool
as TO be walked over in my own house, let
me tell you, and won't be Stella, girl,
what is the matters" he asked, as she
opened her eyes and looked up, with a
strong shudder.
"Ask Miss Mon,ford." she said, simply.
at means that have no use for so
many servants, and had just dismissed
Miss Blake. l suppose she can appeal to
you," Althea said, sullenly. She was a
little alarmed at the terrible anger her
father had displayed, and did not dare say
more.
"Althea, l want you to understand that
l will keep Just as many servants ss |
please, If it's hundred! It's none OF
your business, and won't have any of
your interference, do you understand 2"
and he brought down his fist with terri
bic emphasis on the table. II will be
master in my own house, do your hear
that ?" he almost screamed.
His face grew purple, he clawed the air
wildly with his hands, and sank in heap
to the floor.
Fannie, and Susan Dale, alarmed by the
sound of loud talking, came In just Is he
fell over. For few moments all was
confusion, and Aithea was really fright
ened, thinking she had killed her father,
and worked as vigorously a. any OF them
for his restoration, which, by the aid OF
hot baths, was soon effected. 1t vase only
q fit of anger, but 1t was terrible, never
theless, and nothing more was said about
Stella Blake's leaving, lest it should rouse
snn, hsr anoh tamnast nj wrath.
CHAPTER xIL Z
The next day after the events recorded
In the last chapter DeVries had to 60 to
Chicago on some business connected with
The Montford property. Going down
Lake street and just opposite the City
Hotel, he saw 3 man coming towards him.
He started, grew pale, and turned abruptly
md went into . shop opposite. Glancing
back over his shoulder as he closed the
ioor, he saw the man just disappearing
n the hotel. He drew long breath Of
relief and sauntered up to the counter
md made some slight purchase. When
ne gave the man his change his shspely
white hands trembled 30 that the shop.
Keeper noticed 1t, and with q sharp look
Il his face said:
Hadn't you better sit down, sir, you
ook illT
ut il only coming into warm room,
suddenly was good deal chilled; the
.ir is penetrating TO day." he said, with
little shiver, coming and standing by the
stove, and holding out his hands, which
IT'LL trembled visibly, and had Q pallid
look with faint purple markings at the
base OF the long, well kept nails.
Mr.. DeVnes was acquainted with the
,lerk at the City Hotel, and that evening,
while the guests and bosrders were at
upper, he dropped In to sec him q
moment.
by the way" he said, after few
common places, II was expecting some
o f1nd friend Of mine here, but ! glsnc-
d into the dining. room and saw nothing
# him. Maybe he has been here and
"What name r asked the clerk, turning
,ver his book.
"Mofley," said Devries, coming and
ooking over the clerks shoulder. H. L.
Morley. Turn back day or two, II you
please"
The obliging clerk turned back page
.fter page till he got to October, but no
H L. Morley" was registered there.
at II the more strange because j
hought I saw him come In here to-day"
)eVries sAid, his eyes still running up
md down the columns Of the book with
sort Of feverish eagerness.
"TO-dsyi Let me zee. There has been
,ut two arrivals to-day that il, gentle
men, several ladies came In In the morn
ng trains. What sort Of looking man
gas vnur frinud ~ .4 tf