The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-09

Deen taught TO Keep yourself IN subJec-
ton. You will have your breakfast in
your own room this morning, and after
it, i'll two hours time, you will come to
me-"
She sailed out Of the room as she said
this, leaving behind her a general i'm
preston of fairness and foriduess, and of
feline cautiousness. Had she waited a
minute longer, Iris would have asked
to be allowed to go out and take little
walk in the fresh air in the park. The
thought of breakfast was repugnant to
her. But Mrs. Witherington did not
grant her this minute for action.
The fact was, Mrs. Witherington had
planned her arrangements rather too
CLOSELY. Bond, her maid, was an expen-
slve luxury; therefore, when Mrs. With
erington agreed to take Iris into her
house as lady-help she determined at the
same time to get rid of Bond, and make
Iris assume Bonds duties. But she did
not wish Iris. to be alarmed by Bonds
report either of these duties or OF the
had settled that Bond should leave the
house in the afternoon of the day on
which Iris was to arrive in the evening.
But Bond had fathomed Mrs. Whitening
tons motive, and had Indignantly de-
feated it.
However, Iris had given the maid no
opportunity of talking of her wrongs
and her mistress's meanness on the pre-
vious night; and, having astertained this,
Mira. Witherington was resolved that she
could not have the chance of doing 80
this morning. Accordingly she kept
Iris prisoner in her room until Bond
could be gently expelled from the house.
This done, Mrs. Witherington felt that
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 adjoining her MISTRESS ill.favored
head with morning lace. Her Glands
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-
Gus satin or rich piled velvet"
If could see the young person for
half an hour could put her in the way?'
Bond suggested, but at length Bond was
evicted, and Mrs. Witherington pre-
pared 10 install Iris in the 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
sumed pleasantly bustling air. which
was at least a relief to Iris after the por-
tentous demeanor of the last hour.
II 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"
ut is my only name; therefore. absurd
as you may think it, you will have to call
me by it, Iris said quietly
II think l shall call you Poppinger. y
81 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. l 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 what 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 l to have?" Iris
asked. looking Mrs. WitherinetoL in the
face.
"Wagesv
Eyes, wages! Servants always have
them, and l shall be servant while l
live here"
"No. Iris, no" Mrs. Witherington in
terrupted plausibly, lyon will have
nothing of the kind; you will be lady
help"-msrk the word lady. help. You
will not be required to associate with the
other domestics-I mean with the ser
wants.
"Ssy the other servants" Iris put in
bluntly