The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-04-23
yes" Alireo answered assently.

"Yes," Alfred answered absently.
She has An exceptional mind. The
Judge was very greatly interested in
her"
Il begin to see how Miss Anthony
accomplished Vassar. She"
but you don't ee. She's not Q
protegee, but ono of the richest WON.
en- in the city; and quite the rage.
though she returned less than a month
ago"
Alfred's hope glimmered away to OBJ
livion. His heart had sung Stella's
name through all the conversation:
yet nothing Of this woman's life or
looks tailed with Stella. Still. II she
were Stefia-oh, II she were Stella!
"All the judge did was to manage
her mining property" Mrs. Harmon
went, mines she had owned for years
but supposed worthless. So they were
until the railroad made the valley Of
the Humboldt accessible"
THAT was fortunate for her. Has
she finished school?"
YES, graduated with honors last
spring. You should have taken her in
to dinner IL | had known you were
coming; but I've promised her to Mr..
Montague. She's"
Hello, Vincent! Here you are, max.
ing love to my wife again. Beginning
right where you left of three years
ago, | suppose, you young scamp"
The Judge rolled In, fat, putting and
red with the exertion of hasty dress
ing; yet a man whose leonine head
and kind. fearless eyes would arrest
the most casual observer.
Isn't 1t good to have Alfred here
again." she asked, as the two shook
hands heartily.
"Of course you think so! Most any
woman would enjoy this spruce young
chap. Never mind the old man, Vim.
cent. don't blame you. She's a pref.
ty nice sort of an old girl, isn't sheS
I'm in love with her myself. T."
George, you've twisted your tie.
Let me change It," Mrs. Harmon in
terrupted, rising to adjust the knot
under the fat. shaven chin. giving 1t q
tender pat or two for a finish. Il do
wish you'd get you a man; or--let mi
help you"
"A mani" he snorted. When / can't
dress myself to suit you. madam, I'll
resign! Blast all this toggery, any
how. Spike-tail coats, dinner in the
middle of the night Don't marry,
Vincent, or you'll be tied for life to
just such petticoat tyranny"
i've been accustomed to 1t in my
youth, sir. all except dinner at night;
that's new to me-"
Its the proper time to dine-at the
close of the day--the only time; when
there's leisure for guests, enjoyment
and digestion. AS for 'petticoat' tyran-
n.y. Mrs. Harmon smiled indulgently,
what would the judges social position
be with no wife 70 manage him? Why,
he'd go with one pump and a boot to
a ball! In a dressing gown, too, per-
haps, IL some a person didn't look
after him."
The judge flung her a merry re-
joinder and turned kind eyes to Al
fred. Mother, the boys grown!"
Why the Judge called his wife moth.
er" was a mystery to their friends.
The more o%bservant noticed that he
used the name only when moved;
seers read in it undying regret for the
son hat came but never breathed.
Yes, it's true, judge" Alfred &C.
k~nowledged. In spite of hardship and
roughing 1t I've laid on flesh"
The bell rang.
There are the rest of the diners!
Come on, Vincent, into the den with
me. ThereIl be time for a good talk
before the madam's train and Toy are
ready for dining-room conjunction. ]
wan to hear by eyewitness from the
Front"
The two went into a large rear room
overlooking the Bay, the Golden Gate,
Saucelito struggling down the Marin
county hills to the shore, Tamalpais
and all the rest of the blue and golden
brown panorama unrolled before them
in eternal beauty.
Alfred declined cigars, but the judge
smoked serenely, quite Indifferent to
the nearing dinner hour.
"Tell me, how's the iron horse race
coming on out there in the sage-brush?
Croker and Gregory getting in on the
last heat?"
Eyes, sir; they're making fair time"
Alfred replied. They expected to be
at Salt Lake City in the spring, but
they've had to change the route. you
know, TO the north end OF the lake"
"Yes; on account Of the great
swamps, they said. Was that neces-
sary? 1t cuts out a pile OF good ter
ritory."
They decided 1t was necessary. The
detour would carry the road far out OF
line, and take too long. Our company
has already Tapped the Union Pacific
grade: still, 1t is uphill work; they
can't build as fast as they ought"
The refusal Of the government to
accept that 100 miles Of Union Pacific
road will delay them; I'm glad Of
but It hasn't. Those people are
right along, regardless OF
Uncle Sans disapproval."
"Our folks surprised those U. P.
chaps some, / expect, when we caught
up with their west section OF grade.