The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-17
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VIOLA
Thrice Lost IN a Struggle for a Name
BY MRS. X. B. EDISON.
CHAPTER X.-CoN1INuEn.

"You have saved my life, Mr. Ander-
son" she said in low voice, but can
not thank you, do not know what to
say"
Don't say anything. / dislike be-
ing thanked. There is my mother.
Miss Blake. expect it is owing to her
more than myself that you have been
restored; she's famous hand for resus-
citating people-it's her hobby"
The fearful eyes were suddenly up
lifted to Myra Anderson's face with an
eager. longing, wistful look; then with
a little low sob she threw her arms
about her neck, and hid her face on her
shoulder.
Dear childr' Mrs. Anderson said,
in an unsteady voice. "dear little girl!
there, don't cry. darling stroking
back the hair from the hot temples. II
never can be thankful enough that
Ralph was delayed so that he was caught
out in the storm. 1 fretted at first,
but you see / didn't know why he was
kept then. You see we can see such a
little way, while He sees the end from
the beginning. | think, Ralph" she
added, earnestly, sthat it was Just n
special Providence that that tailor lied
to you about having your coat done
yesterday"
"You think it was lie to the glory
of God, don't you?" he asked, laughing.
Just then MIR. Anderson came in from
the stable where he had been to make
sure Bess was quite comfortable, and
Stella was formally introduced to him;
and then the table was drawn up before
the fire, and they all sat down to sup
per, Stella being carefully established in
a huge rocking chair, with three or four
great puffy pillows at her back, and ole
particularly big fellow, which perched
Just above her head, shook like a bowl
of Jelly every time she moved. She
looked so queer and small with this ex-
travagant background = like some
pretty. crimson-and-b lack-winged but
terfiy struggling in pan of milk-that
Myra Anderson could not help saying,
putting out her hand and touching her
sleeveZto be sure she was not an optical
illusion, suppose:-''What n very lit
tie girl YOU are. Miss Baker
"Does she remind you of any one,
wife?n hIr. Anderson asked. "Only Il
little, but still Just little?'
81 don't know as she does" she re-
piled, slowly, "but l know who you
are thinking of, because Ralph men,
toned it when he met her at Mr.. Mont
ford's."
81 mean Viola" he said.
YES But Viola had such a differ
ent expression; and she always had
such bright color. while Miss Blake is
so pale" she replied, with another
glance at the girl.
Miss Blake certainly was pale-very
pale indeed, even to the lips She
looked up, however, and asked family
if Viola was their daughter
mot our own flesh and blood, but |
don't know as we hardly knew the diff
ference, did we, wife?' Mr.. Anderson
said, grave V.
Il don't think we did, Ben," she re-
piled, softly
Where is she now?" Miss Blake
asked. after moment of silence.
..She died more than seven years
ago." Mrs. Anderson replied. in that
grave, awed tone in which we invaria-
bly, speak of the dead. r.-..
'Deadr' The girl started nervously
and leaned little forward. Did you
say she was dead?' she repeated.
Perhars in her weak state, and in her
own narrow escape from death, the
thought shocked her the more particu-
larly as allusion had been made to her
resemblance to her
Yes, Viola died long time ago, as
said; but we have never forgotten her,
and that, i suppose. is why we fancy
sometimes we can see some look of hers
in others Would you like to hear about
her?'
20. yes; that is, if You would like to
tell me-" she added, gently, but with a
strange, wistful look in her eyes.
1--WE always like to speak of her.
was the quick reply.
They rose from the table, which wa:
pushed back against the wall, and sal
in semi-circle before the fire. Stella
directly in front, Ralph at the extreme
left, and Mr.. and Mrs. Anderson be,
tween the two.
lyon tell her. Ben," she said. She
had a suspicion she might break down
if she attempted it.
"You see we haven't always lived
here, Miss Blake, and it was before we
41a1sSs1ShuSSllS tllstl otiI
came to u.s." Ben said, beginning the
story at once 1.-The sea brought her
to us one terrible night You never saw
a storm on the sea, child?"
IL have crossed the ocean l came
from England about four months ago;
it was very calm them" she said quietly.
Then Ben Anderson resumed the
story. He told of the storm. the wreck
of the LeBrun, the rescue of the mother
and child, and the death of the mother.
Then the intervening time was hastily
passed over, and then the sudden disap,
pearance of the child in the streets Of
Detroit was briefly but wildly sketched
and, lastly, the death in the lonely little
lake cabin, and the simple cross OF
wood with only Viola rudely carved
thereon.
Stella had lain back on the pillows,
and shaded her eyes from the light with
her hand; but Ralph, who was watch
ing her, saw that she was listening iD-
tently-so intently that she hardly
seemed to breathe-and was as motion
less as statue, and as white. Even
Ben Anderson noticed her extreme pal
Tor, though not generally very observing
in such things, and Notwithstanding she
still kept her face shaded with her hand.