Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/137

 nonsense!" the Judge exclaimed, adjusting the folds of his slouchy robe.

"When you have completed your toilet," she said with a sneering little smile, "I'll come at once. Please let me know."

"Stella!" sternly called her father.

The girl continued without turning her head and disappeared on the floor above.

"A stickler for social forms, Larkin," said the Judge petulantly, rising.

"I see," said the Carpetbagger with amusement.

"I'll have to humour her. Wait for me. We must stop it."

When at length the Judge returned and confronted Stella he was unnerved, while she stood staring at him with a hard glitter in her great brown eyes, complete mistress of every faculty she possessed.

"My child," began Butler, "Larkin tells me that you have invited the Ku Klux raiders to dance here to-night."

"I have," was the cool answer.

"But my dear, you should have consulted me."

"You made me the mistress of this house; why should I consult you about a harmless social gathering of my friends?"

"The Klan is a secret order of assassins and desperadoes."