Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1908-04-23
enough about you" she whispered. yel
Stella heard II


Stella heard It.
I shall tell him he has left his debt
Of gratitude for me to hquidate," the
beauty continued. "Or-or can I pay
Uncle Charley's scores." she ques-
toned in mock humility, leaning to-
ward Alfred till her breath brushed
his cheek Perhaps my coin is not
current in your market"
OF course, he had to meet her badin-
age She meant her coin should be
current with him, and above par; and
he would have been ice had he entire
~ escaped the spell Of her witcheries
Several speeches followed, among
them Mr. Ludlow's memorable toast,
The Pacific Railroad, the Beautiful
Belt of the Union, with California as
the Golden Buckle"
At the close of the banquet Stella
escaped through a door; and from
cover Of darkness watched knots of
men gather and dissolve about Miss
Hamilton; marked her every motion
and speech: noted her vivacity, her
perfect grace. her quick smile: saw
fattered Aifred's ready response as
she appealed to him prettily for fact
or confederation of her own assertions.
The little court melted away at last
Mr.. Croker was buttonholed by Mr.
Gregory and led or Viola disap-
peared: and Sally B. was already rush
ing the Transformation that must pre-
no fvo or
When the radian, two were alone
Stella saw Miss Hamilton's animation
fade in a breath; saw her pale and
tremble and lift a pathetic little face
to Alfred. And Stella maryelled at
the heroism that had kept the girl
keyed so long to her role However
artificial Miss Hamilton's manner
might have been before, Stella recog-
nized the significance Of the dropped
mask. Here was perfect honesty. and
the sweet appeal of pain courageously
borne. How could Alfred resist it. or
her trust in him. her beauty. all the
subtle intimateness Of the moment?
oh. Mr.. Vincent. I've nearly died
this last hour" she said unsteadily.
Won't you please find Uncle Charley
IS soon as you can"
He made some quiet reply Stella did
not hear. and fastened to the door,
returning quickly to say that Mr..
Croker had gone with Mr.. Gregory,
no one knew where. You must let
me carry you to your room. Sally
B"
''Oh. no. I'm too heavy! I'm such
big girl" Miss Hamilton inter
rupted, looking up at him with tired,
appealing eyes. Stella, thinking of her
own largeness. felt this last sentence
to be sheer anfectation'
For answer, Alfred gathered her
easily in his arms and Stella recog.
nized the quiet authority in his voice
You cannot stay here. I'll carry you
gently. Don't worry, you're only a
fairy weight. I'll call Miss Anthony
-
Stella had seen the delicate face SCI,
tie against his shoulder, had felt the
solicitude in his tones. They came
toward her, and the CLEAN of a lamp
fell full on their faces as the sound
OF her own name startled her She
shrank as from a blow. and fed to her
room. And when Alfred knocked late,
she made no response though to Sally
BIS anxious inquiry following soon
she sent CHEEKY reply. Yet there
was no sleep for her in those early
morning hours: she was fighting g
battle that would change her life.
She did not leave her loom till late
giving herself barely time to go tc
| the station. where she arrived Just as
Miss Hamilton was being lifted in q
| chair to the platform of the rear car
| Stella adroitly avoided Alfred's at
| tempt at private moment There was
no rancor in her serene face. he,
| cheerful speech. She met his look
| squarely. And he approved Of the
| fine dignity with which she received
| Miss Hamilton's exlravagant compli
ments, the invitation to her home anG
her voluble goodbye Yet when Stella
| put her hand in his in farewell. though
| she smiled. and her words were all he
| could expect, there seemed an ada
mantine wall between them that haC
been builded in night. The franz
girl he loved had changed places with
battling. inscrutable woman. Ane
Alfred realized that henceforth there
might be chambers in her heart for
ever closed to him.