The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-09

IRIS would shortly sail.
Il shall do my duty by your Cousins
daughter, Mr.. Witherngton; have no fear of
that" she said, with an air of injured and
overtaxed patience. II do not bring anyone
from my side of the house into our Eden; 1
do not wish the introduction of a serpent into
our Paradise"
why, bless my soul! Iris is but girl, with
no more of the serpent about her than-than
you have my dear" Mr.. Witherington said,
warmly. And Mrs. Witherington smiled
coolly and said, I'VE shall see."
Iris was received very kindly in her new
home. That is, the Witheringtons were 60
ing out to dinner when she arrived, cold and
hungry at o'clock in the evening at her
new home; but Mrs. Witheringtons own
maid (who looked upon Iris as rival) gave
her some tea and toast. Her bedroom was
large, healthy and airily furnished.
IF | could get bv a fire." the poor girl
said pleadingly to Bond, the maid.
well, l don't know what their wishes are
about your going down stairs yet" the maid
said, circumspectly; but Mrs. WltheriBgton
wouldn't hear OF fire in your room, that
know. When you've taken off your things
you might come into Mrs. Witherington's
dressing-room and have your tea by the fire,
and chat with me-"
II think-I am too tired" Iris said, chok-
ing back all semblance of feeling hurt as we'll
as she could. But the task was little hard
for her. Was she to be the waiting woman's
companion?
"Pll be that I'll be anything, I'll put my
neck under the yoke to any extent 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 had crept
dispiritedly into bed. And the next morn
ing it seemed as though she were to be i'm
mediately rewarded for her brave resolve, for
Mr.. Witherington came to her quite early
and kindly. and said
Iris hope you have slept WE'LL and
hope you have remembered all you eve to
Mrs. Witherington7 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
saty 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. l hate breakfast in bed. I'm
ready for my duties"
Mrs. Witherington lifted up consci-
entiously-kept plump hand, and shook it
warningly.
You must subdue that unruly temper
and tongue, Iris; you must learn TO be CRATE
full and humble in your demeanor toward
those who befriend you at the cost of much
afraid you have not been taught to keep your
self in subsection. You will have your
breakfast 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 foridness, and of feline cautious
ness Fad 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 repug-
nant to her. But Mrs. Witherington did not
grant her this minute for action.
The fact was, Mrs. Witherington had plan
ned her ARRANGEMENTS rather too closely.
Bond, her maid, was an expensive luxury;
therefore when Mrs. Witherington 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 exacted 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 Indignantly defeated it,
However, Iris had given the maid no OPP
portunity of talking of her wrongs and her
mistress's WEAKNESSES on the previous night;
and. having ascertained this, Mrs Wither-
ington was resolved that she should not have
the chance of doing so this morning. Accord
ingly 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 power to induct Iris into
Bonds place so ceverly and cautiously that
the Girl would not realize that she was only
a lady's maid. Bond who was taking away
q very much better character than she de-
served by reason of her mistress's ardent de-
- - 1.or hi
verse about being sped on her way She
fingered lons than usual over the thank
less task of adorning her mistresss ill-favored
head with morning lace. Her hands trem-
bled So" she asserted, pulling Mrs. Wither-
ipgton'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. Wtherington to the best
advantage, upset her horful."
To this Mrs Witherington snavely replied
that she thanked heaven she had no per-
sonal vanity, and that if it were not pleasing
Mr.. Witherington, and helping to keep up
their exalted position, she should by prefer
ence wear the unassuming print instead of
the sumptuous satin or rich piled velvet"
''If / could see the young person for half
an hour could put her in the way?" Bond
suggested, bnt Mrs Witherington was deaf to
the suggestion; and at length BoEd 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 inter-
course with Iris At the end of her harangue
she suddenly assumed a pleasantly busting
air, which was at least relief to Iris after
the portentous demeanor of the last hour.
~ like my house to be like a hIye-full of
busy bees" she commenced briskly. "Now,
Iris-by the way, haven't you another manner
Iris is too absurd"
cit is my only name; therefore, absurd as
you may think it, yon will have to call me
by it," Iris said quietly.
81 think / shall call you Poppinger."
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 bnsy bees at once. ] have been very