The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-10-20

try. Montford House was a sort OF
marvel to the simple republicans of the
surrounding country. There were mass
i've pieces of silver, which had been
handed down for generations, some of ii
bearing heraldic devices which showed
the greatness of its possessors. The
Moniford servants wore livery. and the
Montford crest-a rampant lion with an
uplifted arm above twas emblazoned
on the panels of the family carriages.
Altogether they were a very high-born,
aristocratic family, with plenty of mon
ey, apparently, and, as consequence,
plenty of admirers
If they were little select in their as
sociates no one thought of it with the
feeling of indignation or annoyance
with which they regarded the aristo-
cratic pretensions of jenkins Stubs.
ESQ.,, whose father used to saw wood
for rather scanty living. Mr.. Mont
ford was to the manor born, and the de-
scendant of lords and noblemen had
something to be proud of; for. say what
we will, family and position are some
| thing. and Americans have due respect
for "the nobility"
Among the privileged visitors at the
Moptford House was Blanche Arnold.
She had been intimate with the Mont
ford young ladies ever since they came
to the neighborhood. They were some
what older than her, but Blanche was
always mature and womanly, even
when small child. and so the differ
ence in ages was not noticeable. Some
people prophesied that she would marry
Victor some day. She was nearly a
year the Oldest, but that was nothing
where one had the grace and beauty
and accomplishments that Miss Arnold
possessed. 1t was very evident, also,
that young Montford was very much in
terested in the young lady, and certain
" it would be good thing for her, who
was. after all only the daughter of a SIM
pie American citizen.
If Blanche Arnold had been beautiful
as child. she was regal, as woman.
Despite his added years and experience.
Ralph was still little afraid of her.
She could still make him stammer and
blush by one of her wonderful glances,
and the touch of her white, velvet soft
fingers, made him catch his breath with
sensation of being smothered in rose
leaves.
Ralph was not a vain fellow, by any
means, but he could not be quite blind
to the admiration expressed in his
cousins shy, soft glances, half hidden
by the dropping lashes which yelled
their soft fire.
Perhaps it showed Miss Blanche Ar
nold's good taste-I think it did. Ralph
Anderson was worthy of any woman 5
admiration. either mentally or physical
/ ". He had the resolute integrity and
the answering Loyalty to principle
which characterized his Puritan ances-
tors, to which was added a broader
faith and more generous spirit. He
was besides brave, resolute, ambitious
and fearless; and vet withal tender and
gentle of heart rs woman, sometimes.
tie was Just the sort of fellow to win a
woman's admiration, when TO all this
was added handsome face, and a fine
physique.
He had been at home q week when
! Blanche rode ont one morning with an
| invitation for him to call at Montfori
House. The young ladies had been very
! anxious she should bring him, they
had, somehow, got an impression that
he was something quite wonderful"
She Just lifted her eyes, and dropped
them hastily. but the look in them. and
the faint flush that stained her cheek.
gave a very pretty solution As to the
agency by which they came to have
such an impression. What young man
of twenty-three. with blood in hs veins.
would have refused the invitation, pre-
faced by so delicate 4 compliment from
such q pretty woman | should be
quite ashamed of my hero if he had
manifested such fearful lack of gal
lantry; but l am happy to record that
he did not.
1t was clear. crisp. frosty morning.
and the prairies glittered in the sun
like frosted emeralds. The cool air
brought faint rose-red to Blanche Arm
ODDS creamy cheek, and the wonderful
gray ewes. with their changeful express
sion, sparkled and cleaned in the most
bewildering way as they glanced and
dropped, and wavered. and said the
most unutterable things that one pair of
pretty eyes ever said.
They did not 90 direct to Montford
House-it was early TO call-but drove
off across the prairie and down the river
road. and Ralph. looking in the match
less face, under the glamour of those al
Turing eyes, thought he should be will
ing to ride on so forever.
But Miss Arnold was possessed of eJ-
cellent judgment. She knew just how
far to excite 4 sentiment, and have it
keen and unsated- So presently she
said, looking at her little ieweled watch.
Il promised Althea to be there at
eleven, and it lacks but ten minutes.
we must hurry; l had no idea it was so
late'
Montford House was a large. impos-
ing house, with balconies and yeran-
dahs, giving it an air OF taste and COM
fort and elegance. 1t sat back from the
street little. and was reached by a
circular driveway. A servant stood BY
the steps to take the horse when they
drove up, and moment more and the
door was opened in response to their
ring. Blanche raised her train OF rust
ling silk and stepped in past the girl
who stood holding open the door, with
out glancing at her: but Ralph involun-
tarily raised his ewes to her face-start-
ed co'ored, and then stopped short and
stared at her with all his might. .
Blanche dropped the voluminous folds
of her dress, gave them little def
shake. and looked round. Just the faint
est possible frown contracted her smooth
brow. The girl saw it. and an angry red
famed in her face, whether at the young
mans impairment stare. or the young
lady's evident disapproval of it, one
couldn't quite tell.
Blanche. that girl looks as our little
Viola did he said, in a quick under
tone, as they followed the girl to the par
lor. Il fear was rude, but | was so
startled l forgot myself
q. M harm dnnn-Sha l. only