Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-05-26

iadies generally 1 profess to sbhor TIE fumes
cf tOb.ccc Miss Bike IL evidently an
.excep ion" .Afe1 ~
AT this very moment, IN smother part
|'11 the house, another scene In tits curious
ttue drama was bang enacted. Stella
had gone from, the, smoking room ia the
library Ter the purpose of sweeping and
arranging things, There was . curiously-
blended expression Of anger and exulta-
Go1 IN her face. The two previous scenes
accounted for each. The angry red which
had tanned In her cheek at the meaning
look DeVries had bent on her, thus I'm
plying that shs hAd taken the missing key,
had not yet wholly died out, but dickered
and wavered like smouldering fire. But
the great black eyes fairly shone with de.
6ant exultatlon. Mr. MontfOrd had be.
lieved her, and DeVries, whatever in.
tluence he might possess in other matters,
could not Dust her from her place as east.
ly ~ he thought. She was 20 wrapped
In her own thoughts that she did not dis
cover that the library had another occu.
pant until laughing voice, half hidden
in the heavy curtains Of the deep bay
window, said: h 1924 1aiet ht-Jioo-
ITS not etiquette to sweep in company,
Miss Stella" ~ MOS t7Hf7 isTis;c ~
"Mr. Montfordl why how you startled
me-" she said, dropping her brush on the
carpet. ,a,5 "a .t..... ,.,..,'t ,..,..:,S.s,
He sprang forward to pick it up and
their hands met, .whereat they both start
cd, and felt just little awkward. Bot
Victor was too generous to subject her to
q moments needless embarrassment. He
had been waiting there for purpose, and
he was ready to declare It without circum.
locution. I giaa $50 taHt1Hf r4y
81 came up here hoping you would
come up, and 10 my hopes are fulfilled.
| see that you are not pleasantly situated
here, and have dared to think-to-to
hope" After this little bit Of stammer-
ing he lifted his face boldly, tossed the
curling auburn hair back from his fore.
head-what Q pure, open face it wss!-
and said, looking straight in her eyes II
have dared to hope it might be possible
for me to make 1t easier tor you. You
understand me, Stella! Iwant you to he
my wife l love you, and will try to m AXE
you happy. II grleves me to see you in
suited by him, as you were just now. You
do not think believe his cruel inslnua.
tions, dear Stellay ?" he took q step toward
her and would have taken her hand, but
something in her face forbade it. Il am
not paining you by this Stellar" he cried,
his sunny eyes clouding. sz
"No, and yes" she answered, smiling
family, the angry color all gone out OF
her face. am glad you love met is
pleasant to have the love of one 80 thor
on ghly good rs believe you are--and l
am glad you believe in me rather than
this Mr.. DeVries-heaveDs how I hate
that mani" she cried with sudden, pas
sionate vehemence.
He shall not stay here If he troubles
you" he answered, the boyish face grow
ing suddenly firm. IgyTIy
Waltz she cried, putting out her
hand with . little sharp, quick gesture.
Wait and let me tell you. You do not
Lore NEIL mean you do not love me as
you have, and do remember, aaI do,
Blanche Arnoid-you simply like me-
"6tella, l." II, .,.,t ....,.t,.,..# ~, .t,....
Watt" she cried impatiently. "Do
you believe that have eyes for nothings
! have heard the story. Miss Arnold is
to marry her cousin, your heart 10 thrown
back upon itself, and you fancy you are
in love with me. Now, tell me truly; if
both Of US were equally free, and you
could have either e. for the asking, which
II should ask Blanche" he aaid, look
to win any woman s favor"
Take care! You will make me fall in
cried, laughing, "and want to keep you
for a friend have need enough Of one,
heaven knows! since l am not friend
even 10 myself." "a ''f." t'f"
The bright young face took on a look OF
eyes dropped under q weight Of sharp
fierce pain. -" ,''t"t 'Yfl hftiF
id "Stella, listen to me-" he said, coming
time she did not repei him. Il want TO
tell you that love you very much, dear
little girl, and she can never be anything to
me, now l am willing she should marry
him If he can make her happier than l.
/ do not feel angry with him. like him;
and know he is more attractive TO
woman's fancy, than can ever be-" lUL
"victor," she cried with sudden, intense
passion flaming In her eyes and cheeks
II could NOT say that. should M.te the
persOn who came bstween me and my
love. should hate them 80 that should
never want To look IN thoir faces, or hear
even their names, II could help II.
could never, never, never forgive them 90
long as li7ed-no! not il II were q
thousand yearsl" "li@- liha@ ~ ono
She paused, painting and breathless,
while the fire died slowly out of her face,
leaving it. white, almost, rs though she
was dead. He passed his hand csressing.
ly over the little limp fingers that lay In
his oils bass ft@I <le t"i yliL..5-
"Ysu see We are not at all alike" she
said, smiling family, II wish was more
like you, because you are 30 much the
better But one doesn't make ones SELF 90
who fs to blame. But about this other
matter: No, I don't think it would be
best for you or me. think we bad much
better be friends than lovers Perhaps
the day will come when yOu cannot be
even that TO NEIL don't know, but hope
not. I am not like other young girls-I
sm not " COCO" b,4..4.gafln.
A step sounded in the hall below; he
drew her into his arms and klSsed Ter
lightly and tenderly. ,,es.,..a,
"My dear Stella, will BE- your friend
as long as live" he said, gently; then re-
leased her quietly and went out meeting
his father on the stairs, who, for some res-