Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-03-08


+ niticent pair of jet black horses, the
foam falling from the bits, and little
i drifts OF steam issuing from their nostrils,
] come dashng on, with tossing names
on and on. and suddenly pause. restless
ly-champing their bits and sending little
clouds ofslight snow back from their
| impatient feet.
''Hilloa! Hilloa!" rang out in sharp,
excited voice.
Its Mr.. Montford," Ben Anderson
said. glancing out at the sleigh, and then
involuntarily back into the face OF Stella
Blake.
A fiery crimson flashed up in the
! girls face and she turned hastily to-
ward the door.
"Stop!' Ralph commanded, rather
peremptorilv. You need not be SO de-
! lighted to leave us rs to run out through
| this deep snow. Mr.. Montford must curb
his Impotence" a faint sarcasm in his
voice, land so must YOU"
He put her back almost roughly,
! strobe to the door and threw it open.
Have YOU seen or heard of young
| girl lost or bewildered in the storm last
night?" Mr.. Moutford asked rising in
the sleigh and leaning eagerly forward.
:. If you mean Miss Stella Blake, the
] lady is here" Ralph replied with charm
ing sang-froid. ..sN.n
/ THANK Heaven" he cried. with
fervor that vexed Ralph, in spite of his
reason and humanity.
g There's no reason why that old
| idiot sho i'd 90 into ecStacies if she is
| here he said. sayagely, under his
| had for tho sfortieth time Since last ight,
/ Of Ia, n, 1, ,I 10
! the iect that ..Mr. Montford was very
devoted to his new servant. and the
/ family were alarmed lest she might in
veigle him into low marriage
| In the meantime, Mr.. MOntford had
thrown the reins over the horses backs,
and now stood at the door.
| IF you would be SO kind as to keep
an eve on those horses, young man, / IL
-rll see you paid he said, eNcitedly.
'.Thank YOU; but am no mans SER
vant," Ralph replied, haughtily. his
| face flushing with anger, ~GBeside, 1
am not in want of a few pennies badly
enough to stand out in the snow to
! watch pair OF horses. eEenas fine ones
! as yours, Mr.. Montford.' .
Montford looked at him in a sort of
amazed surprise for moment, and then
turned and went into the house without
speaking, and Ralph stalked oft to the
barn, where he stayed till Mr.. Montford
had driven away with his maid.
Ralph, I think you were a little
rude to go out without so much as a
word to Miss Blake" Mrs. Anderson
said, in tone of mild reproof when he
came in. ..Mr. Montford was so CRATE
full, too, and was very anxious to re-
ward YOU he said, but when told him
that you did not take rewards for doing
! a simple act of humanity, he said he
could thank you, then, and -
Il don't want any oil Mr.. Monttord 5
thanks he interrupted. shortly.
but he was so delighted to find she
was safe-vou never saw anyone so
glad as he seemed. / think Mr. Mont
ford is real kind hearted man to take
such an interest in one OF his servants.
Some rich men wouldn't hardly have
taken the pains to send out a servant to
make inquiries. but he has been ont
these two hours, himself, in search of
her, he said. / like the girl, and l am
glad she has got such a good place"
with the prospect OF lettering it,
eh?" he asked, tartly. r.rEF
! '.Bettering it? What do YOU meang"
she replied, looking up with a per-,
| picked face. Ralph'S unTraciOuS mood
surprised her, too, as much as what he
said.
| 80 nothing" he replied. with asuperb
air of Indifference, L..only Mr.. Montford
is reported to have partially for Miss
Blake, and there is said to be a pros
pect that she may vet be the mistress of
Montford House. A very suitable match,
Certainlvr'
"Why. yes" Mrs Anderson said.
thoughtfully. not noticing the sarcasm
in his tone. $50 it is. To be sure, he is
rather the Oldest tr-
..Rather! WHY he is old enough to
be her. grandfather, was the sharp in
!, terruption.
20 no, Ralph. Mr. Montford isn't
an old man by any means, and for my
part | think it would be Il good thing
for her. tell you, Ralph. there ism t
many girls situated as she is, without
parents or friends she said this morn
ING she had none-who would refuse
such a chance"
Then it is disgrace-an everlast-
ing shame and disgrace to their honor
and conscience. that is all have got to
say"' Ralph exclaimed, angrily.
You are looking at it in preiu-
diced light" Mrs. Anderson interrupt
ed. % I on assume that the girl co~t6
not like and respect Mr.. Montford, but
that she would make a sacrifice of her.
self. body and soul. for personal ease,
and to crafty, perhaps, weak ambi-
ton. [ don't believe Miss Blake is the
sort of person to do that. There is. a
strong undercurrent of character be-
meath that exterior. l can see it in the
I flashing eye and resolute lips. l tell
you what. Ralph. we may safely con-
clude that if this Stella Blake, as they
call her. marries Mr.. Montford, it will
not be from any weak, puerile motive.
And another thing we may as safely con-
clude: If she resolves to marry him she
will do it if they both live! Inever saw
a young girl with such a tense, firm
look about the mouth. But it is moth
ing to us, and SO we will drop the SUBJ
ject." 5E
Just then Tom Arnold drove up. his
fair ford face glowing from its contact
| with the cool frosty air,