The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-29

"Thcre-there. mother. don't You
don't think would scold the child. do
youP-my pretty girlie!' and the strong
voice trembled. '.But this story must
be told after we get her home. and this
rascality looked in!o." he said. more
firmly. II reckon this DeVries is at the
bottom of it all. and perhaps now the
young man mas control, he cannot man.
age things as he has DONE
Before he went to bed that night,
Ralph confided his love for Viola-as
we must learn to call now-to his
mother, who. notwithstanding her
morning partiality to Blanche, went
over body and soul tn her rival; a
striking instance of the fickleness of the
feminine heart.
I have a suspicion that there was
very little sleep that night in the
prairie farmhouse. though the snow
came down but lightly. and by and BY
ceased altogether, and a jocund-looki ng
moon. with chronic laugh on one side
of its shining face, came out from be-
hind the clouds, or up out of the far
away roll OF silver-white prairie land.
and with numberless bits of queer little
winking stars-the probable remnants
of all the "old moons" since the world
began-shone down upon the soft. pal
pitatins bosom of the virgin snow with
delight.
Bess was Weakened before light, and
set to eating her breakfast, and just as
the sun came up. golden and glittering,
she stood at the farmhouse door, har-
messed into an enchanting little scarlet
and gilt cutter, into which Myra Ander-
son seemed determined to pile every
comforter. to say nothing of buffalo
robes, that there was in the establish
ment. And when at last Ralph got into
it and drove away. what tender thoughts
and hopes and anticipations went with
him-and. ali, what tender ones waited
for his return.
Victor Montford had sought Miss
Blake soon after Ralph departure, and
laid his proposition before her. She
said, very quietly, that she would de-
eide between then and morning." and
she looked so wan and pitiful. and there
were such great hollowS under her ewes,
which gave evidence of heavy weeping,
that with gentle word or two, and
faint pressure of the little hand. so cold
and white and nerveless, that Law in her
lap. he had withdrawn and left her to
her sorrow, as he could not but think
now it was. And he made a secret VOW
that out of the property his father had
left she should have a liberal portion,
even if it left him short.
That night. after the family and SER
wants were all asleep. and only light
burned dimly in the parlor. where a
neighbor dozed the long. lonely hours
away in one of the crimson velvet
fauteuils. going once or twice into that
room, with quick. nervous step. and
returning hastily and closing the door
after him. slight. dark-robed form
giided noiselessly down the padded
stairs. and paused moment in the hail
Then it glided on through the dining
room, and paIsing again at door.
seemed listening intently. Then door
seemed to open on swift. noiselcSs
hinges. and the figure glided into that
still, silent, solemn room where Death
watched alone.
There was faint. stifed sobbing-a
kiss-a tear on the still face, and then
the noiseless hinges swung back again,
and the same figure glidel out again
out through the dining room and the
long hall-out the heavy mahogany
door. with its heavy silver plate bearing
has name-out through the lightly fall
ing snow, down the long flight of marble
steps. and away over the d mly- outlined
prairie road. .. such q small. small
figure. and. q. such a white. hopeless,
weary face it was,
Ralph Anderson had the most elastic
spirits in the world; resolute. impet-
uous. indomitable. it was impossible
for him 10 be long depressed or de-
spending.
As he drove swiftly over the white.
glistening prairie, over which skies OF
pale sapphire and gold bent like 4 tent,
shutting in the glory of the Sunsh ne
and the ROSY simmer of the dawn. he
could not help thinking that all this
purity and brightness and peace was n
sweet prophecy OF The new day that
was dawning for himself and for her.
A faint smile rested on the resOlute
face. softening and glorifving it, and
the blue eyes had so t. shadowy depths,
full of unutterable love and tenderness
Victor Montiord came down the steps
to meet him. but Ralph'> heart was so
full of buoyant hope that he did not no.
tice the troubled look on his face.
My good friend. your kindly ofTeris
in vain" he said. soberly; she has gone.
and | know not where"
Gomez Ralph asked blankly;
"what do YOU mean? She has not been
driven from here an angry light leap
ing TO his face, and his voice sharp and
"She went in the night. and quite IN
beknown TO any one in the house, re-
piled Montford. There were faint foot
down the steps, but the wind and sncy
have obliterated them after she got out
of the shelter of the house. Come here
and see"
Like one IN some sudden. horrible
nightmare, Ralph followed Victor
Montford round to the front steps.
They were there-the Small footprints.
partially over blown with snow in some
places, in others plain and distinct.
My God, she has persisted in the
snow" Ralph groaned. all the Eight and
color gone from his face, all the bright
hope from his heart.
mo; / do not think so. my friend"
Victor said. calmly. Ia was not cold.
the storm was not severe. and there
was moon / think she has gone to
the civ, and perhaps further. l only
waited your coming before sending. rs
it was barely possible she might nave
come to your house. ] thought -
Let me go; cannot wait and it is
my right to ind her. Ralph exclaimed.
{" YOUr righta" Victor asked. laying
his hand nervously on his arm. and
looking searchingly in his face.