The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-24


impetuously. striking Bess a sharp cut
across the ears with his whip. a if she
were in some way to blame for his not
being there.
A sudden pale fame shone for an in
slant in Blanche Arnold's downca t
eyes; or was it possibly the reflection OF
the amber glow where the sun had just
gone DOWN.
There had been something of scene
at Montford House the evening of the
storm, when Mr.. Montford returned and
found Althea had sent Stella up to Ar
nold's in the storm: and only Fannie $
assurance that she had in all probability
stopped with Mrs. Bugbee. as it must
have showed hard when she got there,
and the night had shut down 20 early,
kept him from starting off up there in
the storm.
1t was not cheerful evening at Mont
ford House. Althea sat at the table and
pretended TO read book of poems, but
there was an angry glitter in her eyes
which the spirit of harmony failed to ex-
orcise, and one got the impression that
the melodious world did not get past
them into her heart.
DeVries was evidently laboring very
hard to be perfectly Indifferent. He
had his face well under control at every
point, and Victor. who had unconscious
Iy fallen to observing him a good deal
of late, could see not so much as the
simplest expression of qualification on
the impassive face. And yet he felt in
stinctively that he was secretly rejoiced
at Miss Blake's absence, and though he
tried to fight back the thought, he was
equally sure that he was hoping she was
out in the storm, and that she might
never return. 1t made him nervous,
this horrible suspicion. as well as the
possibility that she might be at that mo-
ment living white and stiff under the
snow. He could not sit still. and like
his father, more than once resolved to
set out in search of her.
Fannie, who never saw any dark side
to anything, was the only hopeful and
contented one among them-I mean
happily hopeful. not hopeful of evil, as
possibly some of them were.
But the morning brought Stella back
SAFE.
DeVries was standing by the window
when Mr.. Montford drove up with her.
He set his teeth hard together when he
saw them. but he die not move nor
speak as Mr.. Montford lifted her out
and brought her up the steps; only once
he lifted his eyes eNpressively to Althea' s
face, and dropped them again, instant
". Perhaps he was afraid that even
she should see all there was in them at
81 De- aft Il
he was congratulating Stella upon her
escape. and looking the impersonation
of tender interest
That evening DeVries and Althea
held a council OF war in the back parlor
The rest of the family were in the sit
ting-room. and Miss Blake, instead of
being with the other servants. was with
them, breach of etiquette of which
Fannie seemed quite obliviOus. 1t was
nothing unusual for Althea and DeNries
10 spend an evening alone. and so no
one suspected the nice little arrange
ment in progress of concoction.
IF Mr.. Montford should marry this
low girl, it would make it very unpleas-
ant for you, dear Althea," DeVries
said. "You see these sort of people
are sure to put on airs if they succeed
in getting above their station by any
means, and they will stoop to most any
means
Il would not stay in the house an
hour after she became its m:stress?"
Althea exclaimed. pasS:onately.
II would not allow you TO. You do
not think would, l hope?'' he said, in
his softest tone. :. But I do not Ike to
think of ner driving you from your own
rightful inheritance"
Inheritance! | Will not give up
that to her. Papa shall give me my
portion"
But, my dear Allie. suppose she
should object? You see what an in,lu-
ence she eNerts over him now. You
saw as well as the lover-like tender
ness with which he brought her into the
house this morning. Do you doubt that
he would do her bidding, what
ever it happened to be, if she
should marry him? The proper
~ is all in his handS-I might perhaps
have managed it little different if |
had foreseen this thing think there
was time when he would have settled
a certain portion on each of his children;
at least 1 think had influence enough
to have persuaded him." he glanced
covertly at her when he said this He
had never vet known Just how much of
the past Althea Montford knew.
A slow. cold pallor settled down on
her face. and her eyes grew hard and
steely in their expression
"Gou can do it now she said, in q
low, hoarse voice. He will not dare
refuse"
He has refused this very afternoon,
Althea," he answered. slowly. Il
think he is perfectly reckless and indif-
ferent 1t has been so long, you know,
since
Yes, 1 know" she interrupted,
nervously; please omit all mention of
what has been. The past is dead and
buried, past any chance of resurrection;
the present and future must be attended
to now. What have YOU 10 PROPOSE?
She must not-she shall not stay here"
That is Just it. Allie; If l needed
any other assurance than that l have
always in my heart that you are my
other self, nv twin soul, l should find
it in the fact that Your thought is always
my thought. Did you ever observe it.
dear Ailie?" He leaned over as he
spoke, and touched his lips to her fore
head He knew then that he could lead
he. wherever he chose.
'.Iet me know your thought, then"
she said, smiling iondiy in the face-the
dark. handsome face that she wor-
shipped above everything else on earth,
or in Heaven.
.'Call her into the parlor tomorrow
morning, and dismiss her squarely.
Tell her so that she will understand it