The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-07-28

Mrs. Wi:herington was resolved that she |
could not have the chance OF doing so
this morning. Accordingly she kept
Iris a prisoner In her room until Bond
could be gently expelled from the house.
This done, Mrs. Witherington felt tnat
she had it in her to induct Iris into
Bonds place so cleverly and cautiously
that the girl would not realize that she
was only lady's maid. Bond, who was
taking away very much better charac-
ter than she deserved by reason of her
mistress's ardent desire to get rid of her
peaceably, was very peryerse about be-
ing sped on her way. She fingered
longer than usual over the thankless
task of adorning her mistress's ill.favored
head with morning lace. Her "hands
trembled so, she asserted, pulling Mrs.
Witherington's locks sharply as she
spoke, that she really couldn't get on;
the thought Of how that inexperienced
young person would fail to set off Mrs.
Witherington to the best advantage, up
set her horful."
To this Mrs. Witherington suavely re-
piled that she thanked Heaven she had
not personal vanity, and that if it were
not for pleasing Mr.. Witherington, and
helping to keep up their exalted posi-
ton, she would by preference wear the
unassuming print instead of the sumptu-
ous satin or rich piled velvet"
"If I could see the young person for
half an hour could put her in the way9"
Bond suggested, but at length Bond was
evicted. and Mrs. Witherington pre-
pared to install Iris in tue vacant place.
Humility and gratitude these were
the virtues that Mrs. Witherington
priced most highly in those around her;
and she made them her theme during her
first hours intercourse with Iris. at the
end of her harangue she suddenly as
sume6 pleasantly bustling air. which
was at least relief to Iris after the por-
tentous demeanor of the last hour.
ST like my house to be like a hive
full of busy bees" she commenced
briskly. "Now, Iris-by-the-way,
haven't you another name? Iris is too
absurd"
''It is my only name; therefore, absurd
as you may think it, you will have to call
me by it, Iris said quietly"
ST think shall call you Poppinger. !"
''I think you will not" the girl said so
decidedly that Mrs. Witherington
thought she would surrender that
point.
"Well. now, Iris, you begin to be one
of my busy bees at once. I have been
very careful in having the duties of a
lady-help laid down for my guidance.
You will assist me at my toilette, keep
my wardrobe in perfect order, and wash
all my laces and fine things. When you
consider whata home you will have here,
when you remember what boundless
gratitude you owe to Mr.. Witherington
for maintaining you, your heart will
| throb gladly, and you will own that little
enough is expected of you in return.
"What wages am I to have?" Iris
asked. looking Mrs. WitheringtoI in the
face.
"Wagesr
Eyes, wages! Servants always have
them, and l shall be servant while
live here"
"No. Iris, no." Mrs. Witherington in
terrupted plausibly, ''you will have
nothing of the kind; you will be ''lady-
help"-mark the word lady-help. You
| will not be required to associate with the
| other domestics-I mean with the SER
wants."
''Say the 'other servants" Iris put in
| bluntly
s'No. will not; you are my lady-help,
| and you're going to be a nice, good
little, industrious girl, and relieve your
poor dear mother of dreadful burden, y
Mrs. Witherington said quite encourag-
ingly.
"My poor dear mother wonld break
her heart if she knew all this" Iris said,
| meditatiyely, "but she won't know, Mrs.
| Witherington. Where are your laces?"
| kho Il fpoy,, har
low chair as she spoke. 81 shall tear
them to tatters; still I had better begin
washing them at once.
| The girl had high spirit and loving
heart. The former would have driven
her into rebellion against Mrs. Wither-
| ington. The latter made her bear hard
things for her mothers sake. She fell
into the way of doing all that Mrs.
Witheripgton required of her, and that
lady nourished the fond delusion that
she had secured treasure for life at a
| cheap rate. But all the while Iris was
biding her time patiently, in order that
her first struggle might be an effectual
and last one.
Soon Bond could not have competed
| with her in the deft handling of Mrs.
| Witherington's hair, laces or renovated
costumes. Adroit, light.handed, gifted
with taste to rare degree, she made
the best" of her task-mistress' personal
appearance in way that caused a spark
of gratitude to ignite at last in that self
adoring lady's heart. When she had
done this, Iris made first move.
MRS. Witherington, she began one
night, when her mistress was sitting
exultant before the glass, studying the
good effect of recently plated sold point"
and diamonds on her head, "am a good
lady 's-maid now?"
''There can't be better" Mrs. Wither-
| ington said enthusiastically.
81 am glad, for yon will give me a
character that will get me what want. y
| "What?"
"a character. am going to get into
some place where can make money to
pay for something must have"
/ ssAnd what is that?"
lessons for the STAGE"
Then Mrs. Witherington scolded
| stormed, expostulated, pleaded. But
Iris had learned her own value during
| this time of iron servitude, and she stood
out now either for good wages or good
character.
'.Mr. Witherington will sink under
the disgrace of relation of his going on
the stage, his wife urged; but Iris only
laughed.
t'I shall not proclaim the relationship.
I shall be too much ashamed to acknowl.
edge bow relation has tried to dis
grace and keep me down. if ever do