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

It VAS two 81 three days sffss this, and
After 1 sort Of fictitious peace hadtbeon re-
and De Vries, whom she noticed always
worked in harmony, that Miss Montfofi
asked her to 20 down to Mr. .Arnold's for
some embroidery patterns which Blanche
lad promised to send down, but had me-
elected. She wanted them that night and
her father and De Vries were away with
the horses, and were not expected home
till evening. Victor was ont hunting
grouse with three or four other young
men, and there really seemed no one 70
goiwho wa4 At liberty, ave Stella. The
girl did not answer readily when Miss
Montford proposed it, but she made no
objection, and presently came down
equipped for the walk. y 2 ~ .l',n
:. Take my boa, Stella, the wind is
sharp across the prairie" Fannie said,
pointing to her fur box. IL think it is
going to SNOW, Why not wait till to-
morrow, Althea s''Hie 39 rs ,lasi.
II" Simply because want them to-day"
she replied, haughtily. i don't imagine
few flakes Of snow would hurt Miss
Blake even il it should snow, which is
not at all probable. should think you
thought she was made of sugar, she added
sneeringly, as Fannie wrapped the soft,
rich fut about Stella's neck, and pinned
the little crimson hood over her ears care
fully.
II think abe is flesh and blood, like
ourselves" she replied, soft flush bright.
ening her sallow cheek. 5eass.ts ..l,,
I" And that possibly Mr.. Arnold may
ask her who did her up SO tenderly," she
laughed, in hooking way. $3.50 lst u
The flush deepcnod to scarlet on the
sallow cheek, but there was no reply. A
little surprised look crossed Stella's face,
and she whispered under her breath as
she went out of the door: "Pll take care
that he shall know, II that is the way it
is"
1t was something like a mile to Mr..
Arnold's, perhaps nearer mile and .
half Stella had been past there twice,
and knew the house and the way, perfect
ly. She set out at rapid walk, for there
was a cutting chilliness in the air which
penetrated to ones marrow. Besides, the
sky was of that peculiar smooth, gray
white that betokens snow, and the
thought of being caught out in the night
and storm was not pleasant. 1t was near
four o'clock when she set out by walking
fast she could do little more than get back
by dark, the night came down so early
those late November days. 1t was just
half past four when she rang the bell At
Tom Arnold's pretty cottage. Mr.. Ar
mold him self answered it. ,t},tsta,t
"Why Miss Blake ~ no said in sors of
hasty surprise, !" come in, child" and he
hurried her into the dining.rOom where
there was glorious wood fire in an open
fire. place. VIZ.
A round faced, black. eyed little woman
set out chair directly in front of 1t, and
Stella SANK into it little giddy from com
ing 30 suddenly into the warmth. ,I.l
cit is Mr.. Montford's girl, Miss Blake,
Mrs. Bugbee, and she has walked over
here In this cutting wind on some foolish
woman's crrand, I'll warrant. Get her
something nice and hot, Mrs. Bugbee,
right off," Tom Arnold gave the tire
poke az he stopped speaking, which sent
the sparks up the chimney in soft. Grim
son shower. PR. uy.t
"Aren't you most chilled to death,
poor childs Why your cheeks are pur.
pie = he exclaimed. ae iH
II found the wind very cutting, and It
is beginning to snow, came tor some
patterns for Miss Montford. Some EN-.
brnidery patterns that -" ''' ~
Didn't say twas some woman's fool.
ishnesss" he cried, half angry snd half
laughing. f1 asiy4JIl1
Miss Althea Montford it was who seut
me-" Stella in errupted, remembering the
"good word che had resolved TO speak
" Her sister, Miss Fannie, demonstrated,
and begged her TO wait till TO- morrow, but
Miss Montfori isn't used to waiting. This
fur, which Miss Fannie wrapped me In 30
carefully, kept me from much suffering"
"A sensible girl that Fannie Mont
ford, l always said So" he interrupted.
At that moment Mrs. Bugbee came In
with the patterns and the hot tea Miss
Blanche was in town visiting some
friends. and had left the patterns to be
sent up the first opportunity. For some
reason that young lady was not 30 init
mate at Montford House AZ formerly.
1t showed quite hard when Stella came
To the door, hut the wind was at her back,
now, and she could soon get home, she
thought But the twilight somehow shut
down all at once, and the wind baffled
about, and turned, and doubled upon it.
self, and whirled the snow in her face till
she was nearly blinded. And then how
dark 1t grewi She could hardly see the
road, and only now and then q light,
cleaning through the thick storm, kept
her from losing her way altogether. ,'
The wind increased n,omently, and the
storm grew thicker and thicker. 1t
seemed TO her that she had Travelled far
enough TO be near Montford House. She
stopped, brscing herself against the wind
as well - she could, and tried 70 peer
through the storm and darkness But To
her alarm no light was visible anywhere
30 far ~ she could see--not even the
faintest and most ghostly glimmer OF
light 9d 7nga7 ~ ..4F
A sudden wild terror took possession Of
her, robbing her Of strength and courage.
Suppose she was lost on the prairiel To
b. sure II was not far to house any where
along there, but she could see such little
way, and she had turned round and round,
trying to find q Light until she had no
idea which way 70 60. "A numb sort Of
feeling seemed 70 be getting possession Of
her faculties II wAs not only IN effort TO
move, but the desire 10 move seemed -
torpid and numb - the limbs themselves.
Was she ,Dgesling. body and brain
She asked herself this question IN q dull,
drowsy wsy. With powerful e6oft she