The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-29

had something to do with Stella, sud
denly depressing him.
Then / will explain. Perhaps you
have heard that Miss Blake was EN-
ployed here as servant-perh Fps you
not ced her leave the room after you
came in. She tcouid not leave till she
was sure he was dead, though ordered
her TO do SO. twice"
please don't, Al.hca," Fannie said.
deprecatingly.
But she continued, without noticing
the interruptions:
ut was bad enough to have her in the
house when we did not want her, know
ing that she was using her speciOus arts
to entrap one who was no match for her
crafty subtlery, and Turing him on till
he was on the verge of disgracing him.
self, his family, and the honorable name
he bore. and when Heaven. as if shocked
at his folly and weakness, took away his
life, it was more than at least could
bear with composure. and see her sit
ting there with her fiery. brazen eyes
! .Althear' Victor interrupted, sternly.
"you forget yourself. rur father had a
right to ask Miss Blake to be his wife,
and she had right TO accept his offer
if she chose. Twill not have her abusedr'
the sunny blue eyes flashing. and the
girlish face growing suddenly strong
and firm.
perhaps YOU had better marry her
yourself" she sneered. II presume her
affections are transferable; those of such
persons usually are"
Ralph turned abruptly, perfectly re-
gardless of etiquette, and rushed into
the hall. His fiery temper was in ar.ns,
and like a two-edeed sword, it cut both
ways. He hardly knew which he was
most angry with: SteIl la for her heart
lessness, as he mentally called it, or AL
thea Montford for denouncing it. He
was, you perceive, in very unreason-
able and paradoxical state of mind, not
10 say uncOmfortable-very excessively
uncomfortable-as well.
A hand touched his arm. 1t was a
hard piece of self-denial to resist the i'm
pulse to throw it of. He did not feel as
if he could bear another word. He had
been so full of hope, of happy plans. of
eager anticipatiOns-and nov! But
there was quiet mesmerism in the
white, flexible hand that rested on his
arm. and something. like breath of
soft cool air, swept across his perturbed
spirit.
You must not 90 away bearing such
an impression of Miss Blake as Althea
has given YOU" said the quiet, firm
voice of Victor Montford. She has al
ways disliked Miss Blake for some rea-
son. and she is very bitter where she
dislikes. want YOU to remember that
/ believe Miss Blake guiltless of using
to be his wife. Perhaps she is not the
only girl. who, poor and friend.ess.
would &C ,ept the offer he made. /
think it strange, may be. but do not
know her heart. nor her motives. and l
uW not Judge her."
A faint surprise crept into Nictor's
face at the quick light that came into
his companions. and the hearty grasp
in which he caught his hand. He is
generous fellow" he thought and I
am glad for her sake" But the her
did not have reference to Stella, nor
even 70 his sister Althea. am afraid.
'.She will not stay here. now-Miss
Blake?" Ralph asked; irving to speak
carelessly, with all that tempest of feel
inc surying through his soul.
..She shall stay here as long as she
pleases. | am master here, now. |
was twenty-one yesterday-aud she
shall be protected" the blue eyes dark
ening again.
But do YOU think it would be pleas
anti" asked this arch diplomat
NO" the fine face clouding, Il am
afraid not. Fannie, can answer for
her. but
Let me suggest better course"
Ralph interrupted. My mother wound
be delighted to have her come there,
and it is not as though she was n stran-
ger. for You know that she stayed with
us that night she got bewildered in the
storm, and she has never been there
sin e, and it would be a real kindness
TO us. and relieve you of little embar-
rsssment Just at this time. Other ar
ranoements can be made afterward, you
know
You are very kind. and if she likes
the arrangement she shall accept your
friendly offer. feel. however, that. as
my father asked her the question he did.
and before us all. that she has right
to his home, and she shall be protected
in that right as much rs if ne Ia lived.
| will mention it to her tonight. and
in the morning if YOU will take the
trouble to ride down, l will tell You
her decision. and if she chooses she can
90 10 your mother for a few DAYS"
Il viii be sure to be here in the
morning." Ralph said, and the two
young men rarted.
Il riil take her home" Ralph said,
setting his teeth firmly together. as he
went down the drive, now almost over
shoe in light, downy snow. "She shall
come home TO us, whether she will or
not
1t seemed to him that the time had
come when they, at least, should know
the truth Not being woman. of
course. he would ha kept the secret
if he wished 10. All the world knows
or ought 10 know-that man nercr
tells a secret unless he likes, His
bump" of secretiveness is. undoubted-
", the most assured thing about him,
unless, possibly. it be his self-esteem.
i will not attempt to portray the as
constituent, and amazed, incredible
surprise. with which Ralph's revelation
was received by Ben and Myra Ander-
son- 1t was ..too good to be true"
Mrs Anderson said. laughing and cry
ing in one breath; and Ralph had to 90
over the whole wonderful story two or
three times before they would be
satisfied.
- wish you'd set tonight. Ralph"
Mrs Anderson said, walking restlessly
about. and looking wistfully through
the snowy atmosphere in the direction
of Montford House. though she could
not see ten rods from the house, and
knew she could not