The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-10
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Thrice Lost in a Struggle for a Nana,
CHAPTER X.-CoSrrSuEp.
BY MRS. r. d. EDISON.


CHAPTER IX.-CoNrINuEp.
"Victor. your promising heir, is get
ting very much in love with your pretty
waiting-maid, Miss Stella Blake; is that
sufficiently plain to your comprehen-
Sion?'
81 don't believe it's he answered.
bluntiy.
why? Isn't she pretty and fascinat-
ing, and all that, and isn't Victor at
just the right age to be beguiled by a
pretty face, with clever brain back of
it? If he was as old as you or l, and
could understand how deep and clever
an intriguing woman can be, while
seeming the model of simplicity, as
easily as we can; why, of course he
would not be in so much danger-per-
haps none.
Il don't believe a word of it, and I'll
ask them, and prove that l am right, !"
he said, starting up.
But this did not suit MIR. DeVries'
plans-indeed, it might ruin them alto
gether.
''Stop; lis en- to reason, Montford, J"
he said. laying his hand OH his arm.
You should know women better than
to fancy she would admit it, particular
" if she should surmise there was to be
opposition on your part. Perhaps
hardly think it is, more than fancy,
a short of bewitchment on his part, as
yet Don't YOU see, if she should 60
away where he would not see her. that
he would soon forget his boyish pas
Sion9' .r
20, ah! all! see now. Well, Mr.
Alfred .DeVries, if You aren't a clever
one. ha! ha. can't help admiring you
L can't Tor the life of me- and Mont
ford laughed immoderatelv.
The yellow CLEANS in DeVries' eyes
shot out curious little scintillations, and
a duh red burned in his swarthy cheek.
Take care, Gilbert Montfordr' he
said, in 4 low, intense whisper. You
may have an opportunity for admiring
my cleyerness in new light"
20, you threaten. do you? Suppose
/ should threaten, too, what then?
guess It would be an even thing-come
now, what do YOU think about it?" The
rather duh, fiOrid face was lit up with
excitement and anger. and DeVries
took sadden tack. II was not at all
for his interest 10 quarrel with Mr.. Mont
ford, and possibly he, too, thought il
might be very near IAN even thing"
So he said, very suavely:
You and / must never quarrel, not
even about such very common bone OF
contention as pretty woman. Our in
terests are TOO closely interviewer to talk
of threats, and | am sorry if l forgo,
myself-will that de?'
Yes, | don't know but it will, was
the still rather Sullen answer. "But
about Victor. l tell you again that |
don't believe il. and what is more,
won't have Miss Blake turned out oi
doors by any tricks of yours or Althea's
And as for that key, L know one thing:
she never took il. for | asked her in
this very room not ten minutes before
you came in, and she said she didn't,
and I'll take her word before anybody S
in the house"
Miss Blake in the smoking room?''
DeYries asked in surprise.
.Yes; what of it? She was here
when L came in, sweeping the floor. ]
suppose she has right to come in here
if she chooses. hasn't she?" he asked,
GROSSLY.
20 certainly. 1 only spoke because
ladies generally profess to abhor the
fumes of tobacco. Miss Blake is evi,
IDENTIFY an exception"
At this very moment, in another part
of the house, another scene in this
curious little drama was being enacted.
Stella had gone from the smoking-room
to the library for the purpose of sweep.
ing and arranging things. There was
curiously-blended expression of anger
and exultation in her face The two
previous scenes accounted for each
The angry red which had famed in hel
cheek at the meaning look DeVries had
bent on her. thus implying that she hat
taken the missing kew. had not vet
wholly died out, but fiickered and wav.
cred like smoldering fire. But the
great black ewes fairly shone with de-
faint eNultsfion. Mr.. Montford had be.
ieved her, and DeVries. whatever in
fuence he might possess in other mat.
tiers, could not Gust her from her place
as easily as he thought. She was SC
wrapped in her own thought that she
did not discover that the library haG
another occupant until laughing
voice, half hidden in the heavy curtain;
of the deep bay window, said:
Its not etiquette TO sweep in com
pany. Miss Stella
..Mr. Montfordi why how you startled
me-" she said, dropping her brush or
the carpet.
He sprang forward to pick it up and
their hands met, whereat they botf
started. and felt just little awkward
But Victor was too generous 10 subject
her to a moments needless embarrass
ment. He had been waiting there for 8
purpose, and he was ready to declare il
without circumlocution.
81 came up here hoping you would
come up. and 10. nay hopes are fulfilled,
Isee that YOU are not pleasantly situated
here, and have dared 10 think-to-tc
hope After this little bit OF STAN.
mering he lifted his face boldly, tossed
the curling auburn hair back from hi:
forehead-what a pure, open face il