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

Full of his new resolution. eager with
hope and anxiety. Ralph Anderson wa.
hurrying up the drive leading TO Mont
ford House, utterly unmindful of the fine
snow that blew in his face, frosting his
hair and beard. and nesting about his
neck as if it were cold and wanted 9
cosy place to get warmin.
Suddenly, rousing him somewhs,
from his absorption, carr.age dashed
past him up to the door, and Victor,
followed by another man, sprang out
and ran up the steps and vanished into
the house. A servant came round and
took the horse bv the bride to lead MIN
to the stable. Ralph sprang forward
and touched the man arm.
There's nothing the matter, ]
trust?" gIanc rg toward the house.
thinking only of rer, fearing only some
iHneSs or accident had befallen her.
why, yes. sir, there is" the man
replied. Mr.. Montford is in fit
Mr.. Victor thought n body else could
go for the doctor so quick as himself.
and perhaps they couldn't. don't say:
though | hev driv horses | believe
The man led away the horse with an
injured but resigned expression on his
face, which was quite touching.
Ralph did not sop for ceremony: he
never stopped to consider if it might
not b intrusion, bu; walked directly up
the steps and into the hall, pausing an
instant, then following the sound OF
voices which came family through the
closed doors till he reached the back
rarlor-
He is dead" the doctor said, rising
ard laying tha ne-veless hand back on
the breast Il have long known Mr..
Monttord was a sub ect for apoplexy.
He has had slight attacks before, l be-
lieve?"
Yes Victor said, family: then
looking up and seeing Ralph. he added:
"Come in. Mr. Anderson; You find us
in atfliction, but you are no less well
come and he came Toward and en-
tended his hand with grave cordiality.
Like lightning it flashed through
Ralph's brain what Stella had said. as
well as what he had heard from other
sources; the fact that Young Montford
must regard him in the light OF VIC
tor.ouS rival-and vet how friendly and
cordial he had always been: how above
any little exhibition of jealousy. or spite.
such as he felt he could not have helped
showing. Victor Montford lifted his
fearful eyes full of sort of surprise to
Ralph face, but he did not dream to
what he was indebted for the warm,
firm, tender hand-clasp that fingered
like benediction-
There is nothing to be done, Mr..
Montford, the do tor added. that is
for the aUinq: if there is ANYTHING YOU
want me 10 do for the dead. l am
ready, and perhaps this gentleman
here -
Certainly" Ralphinterrupted, .'any-
thing l can do
There was little stir and glancino
up, Ralph saw Stella, her face Ierfect-
~ colorless and rigid, rise up from the
seat st the window. and without look
ing up or speaking. or seeming to see,
glide Ike specter from the room.
BY and by. after the blinds had been
closed. and silence-that strange, awed
silence which death ALWAYS gives to a
room-had settled down on the pretty
back parlor, with its draped piano, and
chars set grayely in q row against the
wall like pall-bearers, and the one cen
tral figure, which made everything else
fade into significance, lay as white and
still as II no passion had ever stirred its
pulses, Dr. Colby and Ralph came soft-
" out. and closed the door as carefully
as if the quiet figure had only lain down
for an hour. and they were fearful Of
waking him.
Dr. Colby went out. and a servant
took him in carriage and drove rapidly
away. but Victor came out and took
Ralph's arm and led him into the
parlor.
DeEries stood BY the window. look
ing moodily out. Fannie was CRYING
softly, her head lying on the arm of the
sofa. but she looked up anG smiled
family. and extended her hand. Ralph
took it between both of his and said.
gently:
This is very hard for You, nv dear
young lady, and l can say nothing to
comfort you; but you have my deepest
and warmest sympathy"
Thank you" she whispered. cast
ipg troubled look toward Al hea.
.nvolUntarisy Ralph followed her
gianee. Altbea's face was slightly
sverted, but he could see that her ewes,
though bearing traces of tears, were
glittering and angry, and there was a
hint OF some passionate feeling in her
face which was not all grief. She
turned. as if aware of his scrutiny. and
was fretted by it
Il think death in family is prefera-