Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-06-09

that old MontfOrd record so fascinating
and passiOnately absorbing to young
girl who was only servant in the Mont
ford family.
The paper was will made by one Will
liam MontfRd, giving the property
equally to tive SONS. William and John
Afterwards eos!iciI was added, which, af-
ter going on to state that William had
wasted already third more than his por-
ton, had married low, vulgar woman,
and was given up to dissipation, John,
the other son, was solennly forbidden
from ever allowing him another dollar of
the Montford estates, Of which he and
his heirs were the sole legatees from this
time forevermore. Then, bearing date
twenty. five years later, was another will,
made by the John Montford before men.
toned, in which he stipulated that at his
death, "his only and well-belOved son,
Harry, to whom he willed and be-
queathed all his real and personal prop.
erty, should, if he found him worthy and
deserving, give the sum of five hundred
pounds to Gilbert, son of William Mont
ford, deceased" \ ,o, H.. a.-
This she laid with the other, and then
began hurried, nervous search among the
more recent looking papers. One after
another they fluttered from her hand to the
floor confused, rustling heap. There were
bonds, and mortgages, and certificates
enough, but these were of more recent
date still, and were all payable to Gilbert
Montford. Evidently these were not
what she was looking for, for the hopeful
look in her face was slowly giving place
to weary, dcspairing, pitiful ne-piti'
full, especially, on such q young, bright
face.
.Ir CHAPTER XIV.
Three days from that of his departure
Ralph Anderson surprised his mother by
walking in upon her about the middle OF
for him so soon, ana told him 80. ..
~ concluded not to go on to New
York, finally" he said, "as accomplish
ed the business had in hand without it,
besides, was in hurry to get back"
Blanche is little miffcd, reckon
| she hasn't been here since you went
away"
"Whog O, Blanche he said, with a
st,rt a. If .hs was certainly not in his
mind when he spoke of being in haste t"
get home.
Once or twice he came and stood behind
! his mothers chair, trick he had when
he had any thing to tell her he liked to
lean over her, and look down in her face,
and catch the fond look in the uplitted
eyes; he had always felt sort of lover
like fondness for this fairfaced little
mother" as he called her, since he had
held her in his arms and comforted her
that day when he left her for the first
time, to answer the call that the far away
sea was continually sounding in his ears
Once he said another! and then
checked himself invo unfairly, and walked
to the window and looked out
"Mother," he said at length, facing
round abruptly, IL am going out. If |
am not in at supper time do not wait for
me-" ga .. a, ss,..
"No; but would like to have you,
DEAR" she answered wistfully. "But if
she wants you to stay, perhaps you had
better, as you know you d.d go away
rather abruptly. But perhaps she won't
make up" she added, smiling, and won
dering in her secret heart how any one
could help it with him.
| Myra Anderson stood in the door and
watched her boy, walking of in his quick,
firm way-walking swiftly and eagerly,
and she said to herself, half smiling and
half sad "how eager he is to see her |;
he cannot stay half an hour with me.
Well, don't doubt but Blanche is want
ing to see him as much, and must learn
to give up to her; q mothers place can
not always be the first place." just the
faintest bit of a sigh trembling upon her
! lips as she turned to 60 in. Although ne
had not said so, she knew perfectly well
where he was going-she thought.
Ro1nh A ndaronn nanQIlV a n111nk
nervous walker, but this afternoon his
feet seemed to spurn the ground, his i'm
patience increasing mOmenuy, while a
sort of suppressed excitement burned and
glowed in his face. But strangely enough
he did not turn toward his uncle's, but
walked straight in the direction of, and
straight to, MOntford House, ringing the
bell with jerk that came near breaking
the wire. .
"Is Miss Blake here?" he demanded Of
Susan Dale, who opened the door to his
peremptory ring, looking little surprised
and startled till she .a'rly realized who 1t
was, then she said she believed she was
somewhere about the house, though she
hadn't seen her since noon.
"Tell her to come here" he interrupt.
ed; wish to see her."
II shouldn't wonder mite il he was
going to be married right straight away,
and varied to engage her for maid" So
liloquised Susan, as she hurried up the
stairs.
1t was perhaps FIVE minutes-to Ralph
it seemed as many hours-before Stella
made her appearance, looking so worn
and pale that he forgot his impotence in
anxiety.
care you i'll, Miss Baker" he cried.
before she had reached the door, taking
step toward her.
But Miss Blake took step backward,
ana flashed look of cool inquiry in his
face. If he had forgotten their last inter
vie ", she had not, and was evidently de-
termined that he should remember 1t, too.
This brought him to his senses enough
for him to see that Susan Dale was wait
ing in the hall.
"Miss Blake, will you do me the favor
of stepping to the door," he said, quietly !;
i wish to see you Gsne."
Susan Hale went into the dining.room,
shutting the door after her with an ex-
pressive slam.
II am aware that / am taking great
liberty" Ralph began, q fear that she
| ,o;,.t,t vof,, o,,I or1,y orprouuiuO him .