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

on, and suddenly pause, restiessly
chsmping their bits and sending little
clouds OF light snow back from their i'm
patient feet.
Hilloal Hilloa!" rang out in sharp,
excited voice.
"It's Mr.. Monteord," Ben Anderson
said, glencing out at the sleigh, ard then
involuntarily back into the face of Stella
Blake. sea9s "a. fa @etv8a
A fiery crimson, flashed . up in the
girls face, and she turned hastily toward
!. Stopi" Ralph commanded rather
peremptorily. "You need not be SO de-
lighted to leave US as to run out through
this deep snow Mr.. MontSord must curb
his impatience," faint sarcasm in his
voice, land 50 must you"
He put her back almost roughly, strobe
to the door and threw 1t open.
Have you seen or heard of young
girl lost or bewildered in the storm last
niehts" MI. Montford asked, rising In
the sleigh and leaning eagerly forward.
IF You mean Miss Stella Blake, the
lady is here" Ralph replied, with charm
ing sang froid.
Thank heaven!" he cried, with fer
vor that vexed Ralph, in spite Of his rea-
son and humanity.
"There's no reason why that old idiot
should 60 into ecstacies If she is here" he
said, savagely, under his breath. And
then he thought, as he had for the for
tieth time since last night, Of the rumor
Blanche had mentioned, to the effect that
Mr.. Montford was very devoted to his
new servant, aud the family were alarmed
lest she might inveigle him, into low
marriage" 81 k1 @e@ ~
In the meantime, Mr.. Montford had
thrown the reins over the horses backs,
and now stood at the door.
If you would be 50 kind as to keep
an eye on those horses, young man, I'll
I'll see you paid" he said, excitedly.
"Thank you; but l am no mans ser.
want" Ralph replied, haughtily, his face
flushing with anger. Beside, / am not
in want of few pennies badly enough
to stand out in the snow to watch pair
Of horses, even a. fine ones Is yours, Mr..
Montford looked at him In a sort of
amazed surprise for moment, and then
turned and went into the house without
speaking, and Ralph stalked off to the
barn, where he stayed till Mr.. Montford
had driven away with his maid.
Ralph, ! think you we're q little rude
to 60 out without SO much as word to
Miss Blake" Mrs. Anderson said, in q
tone of mild reproof when he came in.
"Mr. Montford was so grateful, too, and
was very anxious to reward you he
said, but when I told him that you did
not take rewards for doing simple act of
humanity, he said he could thank you,
then, and"
"Idon't want any of Mr.. Montford's
thanks" he interrupted, shortly.
"But he was 90 delighted to find she
was safe-yOu never saw any one so glad
as he seemed. think Mr.. Montford IL
real kind hearted man to take such an in.
terest in one Of his servants. Some rich
men wouldn't hardly have taken the
pains to send out servant to make in
4uiries, but he has been out these two
hours, himself, in search of her, he said.
like the girl, and am glad she has got
such good place"
with prospect of lettering it, chr"
ne "Bssseri 1ss' Z, wha, do you mean ,"
she replied, looking up with perplexed
lace. Ralph's ungracious mood surprised
Il
80 nothing" he replied, with superb
air q indiasssnce, only hi. Montford is
reported to have q Partially for Miss
Blake, and there is said to be q prospect
hat she may yet be the mistress Of Mont
ford House. A very suitable match, Ger
4ainly!' 4. .uA do !. a
"Why yes" Mrs. Anderson said,
not noticing the sarcasm in
his tone, so it is. To be sure, he is rather
The Oldest" Bes g
"Ratherl Why he is old enough to be
her grandfather" was the sharp Interrupt
lion.
90 NO, Ralph Mr.. Montford isn't an
DID man by any means, and for my part I
think it would be good thing for her.
tell you, Ralph, there isn't many girls sit
lated IS she. u.s. without parents or friends
-she said this morning she had none
who would refuse such chance"
"Then it is q disgrace-an everlasting
lhame and Disgrace TO their honor and
that 10 al l have got TO say!"
Ralph exclaimed, angrily.
"You are looking 1t it in prejudiced
light" Mrs. Anderson interrupted. You
assume that the girl could not like and re-
spect Mr.. Montlord, but that she would
make sacrifice of herself, body and soul,
FOR personal ease, and to crafty, perhaps
/ weak ambition. / don't believe Mrs
Blake ID the sort of person to do that.
There IL q strong undercurrent Of chsrac-
Ter beneath that exterior. can zee 1t in
The flashing eye and resolute lips tell
you what, Ralph, we may safely conclude
that If this Stella Blake, Is they call her,
marries Mr. Montford, it will not be from
any weak, puerile motive. And another
thing we may - safely conclude: If she
resolves TO marry him she will do it If
they both live! 1 never saw young girl
with such . tense, firm look about the
mouth. But it is nothing to us, and 80
We will drop the subject"
Just then Tom Arnold drove up, his
lair forid face glowing from Its contact
with the cool, frosty air.
"There's brother Tom" Mrs. Anderson
,aid, with q look of admiration lighting
her face. II don't think it would be
very great sacrifice for young woman to
marry him, even If he isn't young man"
9" hope you don't compare him TO that
old Enghshmanl" Ralph re-
Lorted, Grossly. s,. s.e afs s4s
"Good morning! Isn't this gloriouss"
Tom Arnold cried, in cheerful voice,
the snow from his feet on the
little husk mat In the entry. /" Pm mo-
the first caller you've had this morning, I
40 Ss,nv,oon n vras Montfnrd heard