Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-11-05

course But there's other ways, If you
won't accept my offer" He smiled
boyishly in spite of the tragic moment.
Eyes, there's another way; I shall
disappear, just drop out of sight. And
you'll help me, won't you? This very
night?"
Yes, indeed. This night is the
only time l could do it, too. I'm to
work nights after this"
Can you get me away secretly, AL
vim? Have you any plan?"
YES, l can fix it. l know a man
he's a friend of mine, and as close
mouthed as a dumb one. I'll get his
team and start you on your way to
Sacramento, or to the Bay, as you
think best. I'd say San Francisco; it's
bigger, you can hide safer there"
Yes, that will be better. But you,
Alvin"
ooh, don't worry about me. I'll be
back here before daylight, and take
the train tomorrow. Every n knows
I'm to go to Sacramento"
Stella was silent.
Got any money!"
mot much. My trip to Virginia took
most of it."
"Well, don't 1dget over that. I've
a couple of hundred l can lend you
as well as not; and you can take your
time to pay. No matter If it's never.
And maybe Sally B. can think up a
better trick for you"
20, Alvin, you're 10 good! Thank"
She could not trust her voice, yet after
a struggle went on. I'm sure, Alvin,
we've thought of the only way. But
we will tell What time must we
! start?"
mot later than midnight. You bet
ter get everything fixed before ten,
and let the house get plumb dark an
hour or so before"
Every well. I'll have my letter writ
ten in a half-hour. Will you come for
it and mail it at once?"
He nodded.
And Alvin, will you stay here while
1 talk it all wei with Sally B.? l
want no misunderstanding of what we
are to do"
Alvin assented and she left him.
There was no hesitation now. A
strange calmness ~pervaded her. With
out h~esitancy or revising she wrote
the words that were to separate her
from her past, that were to bind her
to a life of lonely hiding.
mot to save any mans life, or even
my own" she wrote, will | marry
Gideon Ingram. This much l promise,
however. I will .leave this place
and all who know me. I will
hide so securely that it will be
useless for any one to seek me
And l will never meet Alfred Vim.
cent, communicate with him, or re
ceive communication from him until
Gideon Ingram himself gives permits
sion"
She signed the letter, directed and
sealed the envelope and went down
stairs.
You pore little critter!" Sally B
cried, flying to her with open arms as
she entered. "Al's told me the hull
blamed layout! Blast that burned
Injun!" She felt Stella tremble in hel
arms. Don't be afeard, honey! You've
got friends. Men Billl stand by we
You've struck the only thing to do,
reckon"
Stella stood erect and was silent
The others watched her without speak
ing, waiting on her mood. At last she
faced them.
This step changes all my life
Please tell Uncle Billy the-the bes'
thing you can think of, Mrs. Sally
Stella said, the words coming slowly
as If she were thinking out her plar
as, she went. From this time l shall
be Esther Anthony. Only you, Mrs
Sally, shall know where | am, or wha
I'm doing. Uncle Billy and Alvin
you're so good, Alvin-they can know
of me through you. Will you keep m!
secret, Sally Bernard, s%acredly?"
Its thunderin' noble, this thinl
that yo're goin' to do, Stella; an II
promise, an keep my mouth shet o. X
if you likewise promise to always lie
me know where yo're a-hanging out
Do you?"
YES" Stella said, and walked to thu
window, speechless. No sound es
capped her, but Sally B. saw her shout
ders lift and tremble, and flew to her
comforting her with a love that Stellt
knew would never fail. When Alvin
came at midnight the hotel was darl
and silent. Not a glimmer of ligh
came from behind the curtains whert
Sally B. watched with wet eyes whilt
Stella drove away, her head turned TO
ward that window as long as she coult
see it.
The next morning Sally B. joine(
her excited conjectures with the mos
eager of the questioning gossips. Ant
none who listened to her lurid remarks
upon Stella's fight dreamed that hel
aching heart was following the soil
tary, fleeing girl.
(To BE CoNTINuED.)