The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-01

should stoop to marry one OF his SER
wants." t
At The opposite extreme were Others
who said that lit was shameful that a
fresh. fair, young girl should sch her.
self to that old imbecile used
incorporate language, as people who
take sides usually do-..for a iine house
and a paltry pile of money"
These last, perhaps. it is fan 10 ex-
plain, were mostly made up of very
young girls and unsophisticated young
men. who. in the simplicity of their
hearts, believed the old, absurd legend
of "love ina cottage" which ridiculous
humbug our "modern culture has
long since exploded. that is, among the
upper classes" and it is rapidly per-
meating the lower strata.
Between these two were the great
body of conservatives who were dis
posed to look upon it as. upon the
whole. a good thing for both parties"
quoting that favor.te argument. that
Mr.. Montford would soon be ting
old, and would need a wife to take care
of him after his daughters married.
Of course, any woman, however young
or far, should consider it great and
inestimable privilege to take care of
some man in his "sere and yellow
leaf" devoting herself to all the
whims and caprices of his second
childhood for the great consideration of
board and clothing. ANY properly
regulated female mind will see this at a
glance, and need not waste further
argument on the subject.
The story-or the gossip, rather
confronted Ralph Anderson. turn which
way he would. He heard it so much
that one would have supposed he would
have become so accustomed to it as not
to notice it. But it had precisely the
contrary effect. The more he heard it,
the more angry and excited he grew
upon the subject. He denounced it as
utterly shameful" and got seriously
angry with Blanche for "favoring it,
rs he called it. As if she could have
hindered it if she would-or would if
she could! think that ut this time no
one but Blanche Arnold, not even ex-
cepting Ralph himself, had any sus-
pic!on of the real nature. or cause,
rather. of his great Indignation at the
rumored marriage.
1t had been nearly two weeks since
the snow storm, and Ralph had never
seen Stella but once, and then only ut
distance. The snow had long since dis
appeared, and December had come in
with the mildness of early autumn 1t
was one of Ralph's peculiarities to take
long walks; half dozen miles or more,
just for the sake of walking. He was
returning from one of those, one after
noon, and about half mile out of
Rockford, when he discovered very sud-
denly that a young lady was about two
rods in advance OF him, and that that
young lady was no other than Stella
Blake. A few swift strides brought him
TO her side.
GOOD afternoon. Miss Blake" Ell |
said, suddenly. She started. and ut.
tered quick cry. Evidently she had
been so absorbed in thought as not to |
have noticed his approach. But she
recovered herself almost instantly, and |
returned his salutation. A little pause |
whichw was broken by Ralph's |
saying, abruptly: -
Il wonder at your walking a mile to
town, Miss Blake. Surely, under the |
the Montford carriage is
at your disposal
Il do not understand your meaning,
Mr.. Anderson" she replied. Under
lChdt circumstances"
"You certainly cannot be ignorant of |
my meaning, Miss Blake--why pretend
it? hate pretense.
'.Will YOU be so kind as to explain
This singular language. s,r?' she asked,
hauChtilv, turning and facing him.
Il cannot see as it needs much expla-
nation, but since you ask it | will give
It. The universal report that YOU are
'Oon 10 marry Mr.. Gilbert Montford led
NE to suppose that you were already in
of some of the honors and
privileges such rery desirable allia.sce
might he supposed to CONFER
A fiery, crimson food swept up to her
WHO has told such a story?" she
asked. sharply.
1T would take me half day to tell all
who have told it first andl last. heard
t first from m, cousin, Miss Blanche
Arnold"
"You can tell Miss Blan che Arnold"
the cried, facing him with flashing
yes and quiverine nostrils, ..that who
ever l may choose to marry. l will not
descend to such petty arts and CO iuetries
Is she has, 10 win her lovern' ...
You forget the lady is my COUSIN"
ne said. his face flushing.
mo, do not, nor that you are the
over she has won, either, Mr.. Ander-
ION. If you do not wish to hear the truth
about your elegant and accomplished
ady-love, then refrain from telling me
what she says of me-
4" But you do not deny it's it not the
ruth?' he persisted.
"What right have you to question
hould not doubt your mistress word,
lot even if she should deny having led
IN and encouraged, by every specious
lrt which a willy woman can use, an
'ther-and one of the purest and best
hearts that ever beat his whole
oul was wrapped up in her, and then
DOLLY dropped him like a plaything
he had tired of amusing herself with"
She paused, painting and out of
'reath. Her cheeks were fierce, vivid
rimson, her lips like line of fire, her :
YES like smoldering volcanoes
do you mean Victor Montford, Miss
,lake? And is it a motheriy interest ,
ou take in the boy that makes you speak ,
o feelingly?h he asked, in trembling
one. .
She grew suddenly white as death, but
er great eyes on y seemed to burn
be fiercer.
Ibid you save my life that you might
ave the weak pleasure of insulting me? {
md must ], because l am weak, and i
DOR, and friendless, submit? Captain ,
,alph Anderson, as God hears me, l ,
Tish, at this moment, that you had let !
ne lie there under the snowi II was a