Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-03-15
Shipped above everything else Oh earth.

shipped above everything else Oh earth.
or in Heaven.
"Call her into the parlor to-norro's
morning, and dismiss her squarely.
Tell her SO that she will understand it
what you shall think of her if she stays
contrary to the desire of the ladies of the
house. She. is proud and as fiery as
Lucifer. and she Will probably go with
out further trouble. 1t will be well
enough to be sure your father and Vic
tor are not about, to Interfere
And so, after a little more planning,
and a little love-making, the council dis
solved to meet again for active duty in
the morning.
Stella was brushing her hair about ten
O clock of the next forenoon, when
Susan Dale, the chambermaid. came up
to tell her that Miss Althea wished to
see her in the parlor. right away" She
finished putting up the long heavy coils
of silky, loosely curling hair, and then
went down. DeVries was standing by
the window, looking out, with his back
to the door. He did not turn nor look
up when she went in, but Miss Mont
ford got up and came a. few steps toward
her.
Il have sent for you, Miss Blake. to
inform you that your services are no
longer needed in this house, she said,
with cool hauteur. 1--WE have all the
servants for which I can find employ
ment, without you, and as. you are the
latest. it is your place toleave, which |
wish you to do immediately fore
noon. The hostler will take YOU and
your trunk wherever you wish to be
carried
Mr. Montford hired me. madam,
and | shall not go until he dismisses
me-" Stella answered, quietly, but with
flashing eyes.
VERY well; but remember, if yo,,
STAY, that you will be understood to stay
as Mr. Montford's companion. If that
role suits you, suppose You can accept
it. | do not know as his children can
help themselves if he chooses to dis
grace himself and them by keeping
you"
Stella grew white as death She
turned, staggered, CROPPED for the door,
and fell forward into the hall, in a dead
faint, Just as Mr.. Montlord opened the
outer door. s
GOOD heaven-Stella! WHY. is the
child dead?" he cried, in sort of help
less excitement. trying to lift her in his
arms. sz4se {, ssus
NO fear. l guess" Althea said, cold
ly.A .sYou y cannot kill some people.
Don't make yourself ridiculous, faith
err, any more than YOU are naturally"
She had not meant to say quite that,
but her anger at his sudden and unex-
pected return made her quite beside
herself.
.Althea Montford," he cried, turn
ing a face full of terrible rage upon her,
lit wouldn't take many such speeches
as that to make me kill you. I'm not
such a fool as to be walked over in
my own house. let me tell you. and
won't be! Stella, girl. what is the mat
teri" he asked, as she opened her
eyes and looked up, with a strong shud-
der
Ask Miss Montford," she said, SIM
...It means that 1 have no use for so
many servants, and L hadj just dismissed
Miss Blake. | suppose she can appeal
to you," Althea said, sullenly. She was
a little alarmed at the terrible anger
her father had displayed, and did not
dare say more.
"Althea. | want you to understand
that will keep just as many servants
as | please. if it S 4 hundred! It's none
of your business, and [ won't have any
of Your interference, do you under
stand?' and he brought down his fist
with terrible emphasis on the table.
81 will be master in my own house, do
you hear that?' he almost screamed.
His face grew purple. he clawcd the
air wildly with his hands. and sank in d
heap to the floor
Fannie and Susan Dale, alarmed by
the sound of loud talking, came in just
as he fell over. For a few moments all
was confusion, and Althea was really
frightened, thinking she had killed her
father. and worked as vigorously as any
OF them tor his restoration, which, by
the aid of hot baths, was soon effected.
1t was only Il fit OF anger, but it was
terrible. nevertheless, and nothing more
was said about Stella Blake's leaving,
lest it should rouse another such tenn
pest of wrath.
viT