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

her first struggle might be an ettectual
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 q way that caused 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 "old point
and diamonds on her head, IAN | good
lady 's-maid now?"
"There can't De better" Mrs. Wither-
ipgton said enthusiastically.
II am glad, for you will give me a
character that will get me what l want. "
"What?"
"A character. / am going to get into
some place where l can make money to
pay for something must have"
and what is that?'
Lessons for the stage"
Then Mrs. Witherington scolded
SUI LlSI, Pictipcu' Dut
Iris had learned her own value during
this time of iron servitude, and she stood
ont 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.
Il shall not proclaim the relationship.
shall be too much ashamed to acknowl-
edge how relation has tried to dis
grace and keep me down, if 1 ever do
get among ladies and gentlemen on the
stage"
What has put the idea into your
head?"
Seeing that Miss Tremayne is adver-
Using for year and Offering f40 year
wages. Miss Tremayne wouldn't be the
great actress she is if she hadn't the
heart to feel for such a poor football OF
fortune as 1 have been"
"Your wicked ambition will bring you
to ruin" Mrs. Witherington said spite
fully, tears of vexstion coming into her
eyes at the prospect of losing her "cheap
treasure" Il wash my hahds of you,
but the world shall know that you pre-
ferred life of wicked excitement and
temptation to safe and happy home
with your own relatives"
"Your world and mine will never be
the same-luckily for me-" Iris said
coolly, and Mrs. Witherington could
have slapped her for being so independ-
ent though penniless.
Iris went to the beautiful, popular,
clever Miss Tremayne as maid and re.
NAMED with her in that capacity one
| hour. At the end of that hour the
warm-hearted woman who was at the top
of the tree had learned the story of the
poor little aspirant at the foot of it.
You shall stay with me as my friend
and pupil, Iris" she said, with all that
gracious grace that had made her such q
sovereign lady on the stage, land IS 1t
will be impossible for you really to
study while your mind is half absent
with your mother and her troubles, those
troubles must be relieved at once. I am
alone in the world; they shall be my
mother and brothers"
For fifteen months Mr.. and Mrs. With
erington told all their friends lin con
fdence" that they washed their hands of
Iris, whose conduct and career had
crushed out all sympathy and interest
for her out of their expansive hearts
At the end of that time Iris made a sue.
cessful debut. Then for another year
she studied harder than ever. aiwa, 3
helped by Miss Tremayne. Then she
ground" for six months in small parts
in the provinces. Then Miss Tremayns
brought her out at her Miss Tremanye J
own theater without any preliminary
puff, and Iris touched the peoples heart
and taste at once.
The second night OF her performance
the Witheringtons were there, letting
every one near them know that the
young actress was their cousin. The
next, Mrs. Poppinger received an offer
from her cousin at a moderate income
for life, and at the time he reminded her
that had it not been for his excellent
wife's admirable training of Iris, Iris
would never have been able to approach
Miss Tremsyne with protfer of serv'
ices. I'm fact" he said. Il hope our
dear girl will never forget that this most
gratifying result is entirely due to the
circu mstance of her having given Iris a
home and taught her to be useful. This
is most pleasing reflection to us, and l
trust you will always keep this truth be
fore our dear girl"
So, Iris scared higher and higher, the
Witheringtons eulogizsd themselves
more and more to their own circle, 81
the benefactors and guardian angels OF
their "little pet cousin iris"
Life In Utah.