The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-08
tCopgTiontedl
VIOLA
Thrice Lost u a Struggle for a Name.
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: NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
BIZ MRS. II. d. EDISON.


CHAPTER XII-CoxrISUEp.
Now IT. was certainly not because
Miss Arnold wished to see Stella Blake
that that Young la1v came 10 the dooI
to adnntpher; neaker anI | of the opin-
ion that Miss Blake was specially anx-
ious to meet Miss Arnold. If the spirit
OF her remarks to Ralph concerning
that young lady be taken into consid.
Grafton: so | conclude it was one OF
those perverse fates that delight i'm try
ing people. for that the encounter was
trying to both parties was plainly evil
dent by the sudden accessio of color,
the naughty glance. and the cool bow.
And am compelled to admit that Stella
Blake. the servant, was in nowise out
done in those little courtesies bv the ell
egant Miss Arnold.
Ii seemed also another working of
the same perverse fate that Stella was
occupied during the whole of Miss Ar
mold call. in an adjoining room. and
that the door should be ajar so that she
could not help hearing Miss Arnold S
frequent illusions to Ralph. in tone
and manner that gave an impression
that everything was settled between
them, and that their marriage might
take place at any time;. indeed, when
Althea said banteringly something
about speedy wooings. she replied with
a soft laugh:
20, it has been lifelong devotion.
assure you. that is, on his part. We
were separated for several years of our
childhood. but Ralph savs-but forget
myself she said. paus:ng suddenly,
and cOioring.
% L suppose You will have wedding
and invite all the unfortunate SWANS
You have enthralled-and the rest of
your friends. if there is room for any
besides the first named class" Althea
said, sweetly. but with little touch of
sarcasm in her tone which might, or
might not, be noticed. Blanche. at
least, did not notice it apparently.
Ralph is so impulsive-so impatient
of waiting, that might not have time
for anyth ne elaborate, but if any one
is invited YOU may be very sure | shall
not forget your family. You and Fan
ME seem like sisters to me, and Victor.
L am sure, have always regarded as
much my brother as he was yours; and
L Doubt If either of You are more at
tached TO him than | am. I have
wished hundreds of times that he was
really MY own brother. And Ralph
thinks he is splendid, too
She said all this with such simple,
child-like fervor, that one must be the
rankest of skeptics to doubt her SINGER
ity, or fancy for moment that she was
trying to throw even the smallest parti-
Gle of dust in the eyes of her very dear
friends, or even Miss Blake, a glimpse
of whose white, cold, hard face She
caught now and then as she rocked
languidly back and forth in the soft,
green velvet rocking-chair-espe
and particularly Miss Blake-why
should she, pray?
I'VE are very grateful to Mr.. Ander-
son-eNcuse me, Captain Anderson"
Althea replied. with faint flush rising
to her face, =" for his favorable opinion
of Victor. OF course none of us could
be so obtuse as not to see your friend
ship and affection for him We're sim
cere-"
Something in the tone. rather than
the words, sent the hot blood to Blanche
Arnold's face, but she did not speak,
she merely flashed one little swift, de-
FAINT glance at Miss Montford from I'M
der her dropping lashes. and said, after
a little pause, lit was so pleasant to
have friends who understood us, and
IrhOni Ice understood the faintest per-
ceptible accent on the last part of the
sentence.
After Miss Arnold had taken her de-
parture Stella Blake went slowly I'D to
her room, that strange. unearthly pallor
on her face which made her look spec
Iral with her jetty hair and great. wild.
intense eyes She went into her room
and locked the door and fell on her
knees-but not TO pray, save as the
white, passionate face she lifted in mute
agony ahd despair, might, be PRAYER
Great sobs shook the slight frame, but
the eyes were dry and hot, and the pref
" crimson bps were parched. as if the
short, gasping breath had burned them
with its fierce fire.
BIZ and By she rose up and walked
unsteadily across the floor and sat
down, throwing open the window as if
the air was sitting her. Alter a mo- /
ment, during which her hands dropped
nervelessly in her lap, and the firm lips |
parted and trembled like a grieved I.
child $, she put UP her hand and drew /
from her bosom small square envel- 1
ope, from which she nervously drew an
old creased and folded letter IL was
in man hand-a handsome, business
like hand, and covered two pages and 1
a half of medium-siZed note paper. /
Sometimes nearly whole Line was IL
legible, the paper being SO worn and 1
fretted in the folds, and stained as if
II had lain in water. AS she read her /
color came back, her eyes grew deep
and glittering. and look of iron reso-
luton and intentness Of purpose drove /
away he sweet tremulousness from her /
lips.
Il viii not go backr' she said under
her breath. 81 seM know at any cost"
q low, creeping shudder of disgust con-
yulsing the slight frame, so full of fierce,
tery, passionate lie; and carefully re-
placing the paper in its envelope. she
returnedit to its hiding place, q hiding
place that it never lett, and never had
left for more than seven years, sleeping
Dr. waking, save when she removed it.