Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-08-16

not bring any one from my side of til
house into our Eden; do not wish tn
introduction Of serpent into our Pars
disc"
why, bless my soul! Iris is but
girl with no more of the serpent abou
her than-than you have, my dear.
MIR. Witherington said warmly. An,
Mrs. WitheIington smiled coolly an,
said. 1--WE shall see.'
Iris was received very kindly in he
new home. That is, the Witherington
were going out to dinner when she ar
rived, cold and hungry, at z O'Clock
in the evening", at her new home; bu
Mrs. Witherington's own maid (whs
looked upon Iris as rivaD gave hel
some tea and toast. Her bedroom wa:
large, healthy, and airily furnished.
eff | could get by fire. the pool
girl said pleadingly to Bond, the maid
"Well, don't know what their
wishes are about your going down
stairs yet, the maid said, circumspect.
ly; "but Mrs. Witherington wouldn't
hear of fire in your room, that
know. When you've taken of your
things you might come into Mrs. With
erington's dressing-room and have your
tea by the fire, and chat with me. "
81 think-I am too tired Iris said,
choking back all semblance of feeling
hurt as well as she could. But the
task was little hard for her. Was
she to be the waiting woman's CON-
panion?
"rlI be that, I'll be anything; I'll
put my neck under the yoke to any ex-
tent to help mother, to make things
easier for mother!" the poor child said
to herself that night after her PRAYERS
had been said, and she crept dispirit-
eddy into bed. And the next morning
1T seemed as though she were to be inn
mediately rewarded for her brave
resolve. for Mrs. Witherington came to
her quite early and kindly and said
Iris, 1 hope you have slept well,
and l hope you have remembered all
you owe to Mr.. Witherington? We do
not ask for any earthly reward for the
good we do, but still would not have
you ungrateful or careless about the
benefits you receive. You are to stay
in bed and have your breakfast COM
fortably this morning. never expect
too much OF any one, and your journey
may have fatigued you. When you are
dressed come to me in my dressing
room, and I'll appoint you some Of
your duties"
I'D rather get up now" Iris cried:
"Pm not fatigued. hate breakfast in
bed. I'm ready for my duties.''
Mrs. Witherington lifted up a con-
scientiously-kept plump hand, and
shook it warmly.
you must subdue that unruly tenn
per and tongue, Iris; you must learn
to be grateful and humble in your de-
meanor toward those who befriend you
at the cost of much trouble and anxiety
to themselves; l am afraid you have
not been taught to keep yourself in
subsection. You will have your break
fast in your own room this morning,
and after it, in two hours time, you
will come to me-"
She sailed out of the room as she
said this, leaving behind her general
impression of fairness and fioridness,
and of feline cautiousness. Had she
waited minute longer, Iris would have
asked to be allowed to go out and take
a little walk in the fresh air in the
park. The thought of breakfast was
repugnant to her. But Mrs. Wither-
lngton 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 ex-
pensive luxury; therefore, when Mrs.
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 one who executed them.
Therefore, she 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. Witherington's motive, and had
defeated it.
However, Iris had given the maid no
opportunity of talking of her wrongs and
her mistress meanness on the previous
night; and, having ascertained this,
Mrs. Witherington resolved that she
should not have the chance of doing so
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 lady's maid. Bond, who was
taking away much better character
than she deserved by reason of her mis-
tress' ardent desire to get rid of her
peaceably, was very perverse 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 ''hands
So" she asserted, pulling Mrs.
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.
to the best advantage up
set her horful.n
To this Mrs. Witherington sauvely re-
piled that ''she thanked heaven she had
no personal vanity, and that if it were
not pleasing Mr.. Witherington, and
helping to Keep up their exalted posi-
ton, she should by preference wear the
unassuming print instead of the sump-
tuous satin or rich piled velvet"
eff could see the young person for
half an hour | could put her in the way"
Bond suggested, but Mrs. Witherington
was deaf to the suggestions; ana at
length Bond was evicted, and Mrs.
Witherington prepared to 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
assumed a pleasantly bustling air. which
was at least relief to Iris after the por-
tentious demeanor of the last hour.
II like my house to be like hive
full of busy bees" she commented
briskly "Now, Iris-by the way,
haven't you another nameP Iris is too
absurd"
at is my only name; therefore, alb
surd as you may think it, you will have
to call me by it," Iris said quietly.
81 think | shall call you Poppin-
ger"
II 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. / have been
very careful in having the duties of a
lady-help laid down for my guidance.
You will assist me at my toilet. keen