Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-02-22

Sure enough-what ObjectT II
Vries responded. in a careless tone
just lifting bis eyes to Stella Blake
face. and dro pping them again hastily
as if the glance had been involuntary
and he was sorry tor it.
1t had the result Of fixing every Other
pair of eyes in the room on her, as ht
possibly might have intended for ht
still watched her from under his low
cred lids, and saw as distinctly as the
Others the vivid red flame in her cheeks.
Alfred, Miss Montford said, touch.
ing his arm as he was going out, wal,
moment, want to speak with you. "
There was no one but FANNIE left in the
room beside them, and so Althea began
at once.
s. want you to speak to papa about
| this girl. am as sure she took that key
as if saw her do it. and /, for one, dc
not feel safe to have such person ia
the house,
"Why, Althea." interposed Fannie,
"what have we to fear even if she has
taken the key? We've no skeleton
locked up there that I'm aware of. ]
always thought it a piece of careful
folly locking the doors at all. What il
there among those old family records
that is private?' E-.e
DeVries looked up stealthily. There
was a look on Althea's face which
startled him. Was it possible saat she
/ knew or suspected ANYTHING? But
/ Fannie, at least, did not. She only
looked family surprised, and perhaps
just a little annoyed.
'.Miss Fannie forgets tina. all her
father's valuable papers are there, as
well as the old records she mentions, -
he said, politely.
''But what object could she have in
holding the key to them Even if she
spurloned them she could not negotiate
them; what use would they be?' she
persisted.
- Ii you wish strangers to lay their
vandal hands on our ancestral relics and
ancient records, l do not,n Althea said,
firmly; land you viii do me favor not
to interpose your ridiculous charity in
the matters at all. Mr. DeVries, I
think perhaps this would be a good
time to speak to papa. l think his
mighty faith was shaken little by that
guilty red that dyed her face. l viii
leave it to you to manage"
''Thank you for your confidence, but
it is not pleasant task, whatever my
own convictions may be as to its adj
visibility. However, I will do the best
[ cam and taking his hat from the
table he went out, looking little re-
gretful, as if his tender heart was
pleading against his stern sense of duty
to the interests of his friends. But
once outside a sudden change flashed
over his face. A faint, exultant smile
iii ckered and died on his lips, and a
curious yellow CLEAN hamed in his eyes.
Mr.. NIontford was in his smoking
room when the door opened and his
private secretary sauutered carelessly
in. giving little start of surprise at
finding him there, as much, in fact, as if
he hal not watched for half an hour to
see him 90 in there.
Pm rather glad 1 have stumbled
upon you, Montford, he said, taking
out his cigar case. s'There's little
matter thought perhaps it was my duty
to mention to you, as the lads father
l don't suppose you have noticed it?''
Noticed what? | wish. DeVrie.-
when you talk to me you would condo
scend to say what you mean" he an
swered, impatiently. "There is nothing
to be made out OF me by putting on airs,
and don't see why you should do it,. -
ITO RE CONTINIrED.3 ~.