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

There was q little moment of hushed
silence, and then Myra Anderson took
down the little lamp again and lighted it.
Ralph sprang suddenly to his feet and
lifted Stella in his arms as il she had been
baby, and started for the stairs. She
struggled little, but he said, impera.
lively:
."Lie still! Do you think / am going
to see such a face as this going up
stairs, and q strong fellow like me looking
onl"
As he said this he touched his hand
am not sure whether by accident or de-
sign-against her cheek it was wet with
tears! Ralph Anderson felt his heart
glow as he had never done in all his life
before. He felt strong impulse to hold
her close-so close to his heart, that she
could feel its strong, warno throbbings,
and feel never sad or alone any more
while that heart beat. He did not stop
In oak himaelf if ahis waa altogether loyal
to Blanche, but he did realize, vaguely,
that all the fascinating arts OF his beauti.
full cousin had never woke such deep
tender glow in his heart, as did this email,
pale, tear wet face lying against his bosom.
He put her down in q chair, said "good
night" softly and lingeringly, and went
out.
It was pleasant little room, with q
j summary warmth that contrasted charm
ingly with the cold and stormy outside
A soft, bright carpet covered the door,
but the bed was the special pride of Myrs
Anderson's heart. It was the lightest
and livest thing imaginable. Getting into
1t was literally true-you did get into it,
all over, and something on each side
would come up with sudden "pud, " and
shut You In almost as efectually as the
"spring lock" did poor i'll lated "Genevra 2"
Over this clever trap just now was spread
an "album quilt" wherein was written .
score and halt of names, each name sur
rounded with halo Ct pink and green
calico. This quilt was very dear to Myra
Anderson. 1t had been Z surprise from
her friends when she left the old home
the home of her heart, still, though for
tune had smiled more benignly on the
new, than it ever had on it.
Just outside this room door was broad,
low shelf, and on this shelf 3 small, black,
hair trunk, studded with brass nails. The
door was open, and the light shone out,
and directly across it. The dull glare fell
on the nail.heads, and this attracted her
attention, aided, perhaps, by Miss Blake's
glance in that direction.
II you felt like stepping here she
said, hesitatingly, going toward the door
"that 10 the trunk, "-she stepped along
and lifted the lid--Miss Blake was at her
side" and those were our little girls
clothes. keep them all here together
/ like to come and look ct them some
times,"-snd STOPPING over she touched
one Of the dresses, softly and caressingly,
ASif il had been the desd face of her lost
darling. 49, tl.fsl- Ysjfr.
Itwas perhaps an hour afterwards, when
Z the house was wrapped in darkness and
silence, and only the soft light fingers Of
the snow tapped monotonously at the
windows that door opened nOiselessly,
ana light, white-robed figure glided to
the side Of the little trunk, and sank down
before n, sobbing in . passionate abandon
OF grief ~ "a
"Poor little Viola dead yes, dead in
her innocence and truth-happy Viola r.
she said, brokenly. between little gasping
sObs.
BY and BY the white figure glided back
!. again, the door opened and closed, and all
- wrath!
CHATTER N.
The sun rose msjesticalIy out of hil
crimson -drapefied couch, and looked on
a fair Q realm - the most fAstidiOua
monarch could wish TO reign over. Pure,
Offering, spotless Snow; drifted seas Of
Files breaking against skies Of dusky
sapphire and a@ber; beautiful shtoud
2 covefing tie face Of Nature tenderiy rom
asieht. How hushed and still twas. How
Ike Z pillar Of illuminated mist the
smoke rose straight to the Ky from scores
qfscp1tage. roofs -the Ase-gpd's incense
80 Inc new. born Day. NA
But harki A fierce, sharp clang q
bells breaks through the silence. Nearer
-nausinfE xnreF a6Nan. and suddenly