The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1908-06-06

Il hope she'll keep up her gait plumb
to Sacramento" Uncle Billy said at
the first break in the hubbub.
You bet she won't" some one re-
Piled She'll have a breakdown after
she gets the mail and passengers off at
Freeport for the Placerville Stage peo-
pie"
Don't you go into partnership with
any worry" Alvin said, pausing at the
door. 81 amt giving away the clicker.
but let me tell you the c. P.s amt
fools"
Il got to have he. lunch ready for
them passengers re eat on the fly"
Sally B. said brusquely. Uncle Billy,
what time do you reckon they'll be
here?"
Some time neah about TO o'clock
in the mawnin, I figger. You can tell
into five minutes when we heah what
time the train leaves Sacramento"
Sally B. sped away to the kitchen.
Stella detained Uncle Billy second in
the hall, her hand on his coat lapel.
She had intended to speak with him
about schools, where to go. how to set
about the new life; but these ques-
lions must wait. His trip and its sue
cess were the only things that mat
tered now.
Aren't you going to rest?" she
asked. There are plenty others to
work. Go to bed early, won't you,
Uncle Billy"
He closed his warm, strong hand
over hers with fond pressure. 1t was
sweet to have her womanly solicitude,
to feel her near him, her soft hand
pulsing under his own. "Afteh the
fight is time enough to rest little girl.
must see that my wagon and stock
are all right for the first hard drive
I'll have to trust to luck afteh that, or
to the hostlehs-that's about the same
thing"
We'll, rest as much as you can.
then. I'll have a luck flower for your
button-hole when you start" She
with excitement. You'll win, Uncle
Billy! / know it,"
She watched him down the street to
the stage barn, where she knew no
item of preparation would escape his
vigilant eye. Yet there was time to
spare. Would he take advantage of
It? Perhaps not. She knew he was
master of that perfect relaxation that
prepares for stress as well as sleep
does.
Alvin had dropped his study, Viola
was fighting her trouble alone and
Sally B. was in the kitchen Stella,
left with no pressing duty, wandered
into the dark parlor. Lighting it was
Viola's task but she had forgotten to-
night, to Stella's satisfaction
She drew chair to the window that
faced the dim mountain across the
gorge. closed her senses to the little
world about her and was quickly off
with the sprites of the night to keep
her hearts tryst with Alfred. Not
quite alone did they two meet this
night in fancy's fair halls. Viola, AL
vim, even Sally BIS uncompromising
black eyes interrupted Stella's dreams.
Minutes licked by unheeded. Hur-
hasty commands, odors of unusual
cooking fioated past inadequate doors;
but Stella was oblivious till a draught
of air struck her cheek sharply and
Gideon's voice called her.
She started to her feet Gideon
Where-you said Tomorrow In your
message Who told you l was here?"
mo one. l can always find you,
Stella. Something tells me. The in
slant | opened the door | knew you
were here. A kind of fragrance
could tell it
Don't, Gideon" she interrupted.
She was looking for matches, but his
alert sense caught the aversion in tone
and movement.
Your father once told me that a
Pima princess was my great-grand-
mother. ! cannot escape my heritage
from her" He took the match she had
struck and lighted the hanging lamp.
The fame shone full on his upturned
face. and Stella gazed at him fas-
cinated, while. he adjusted wick and
shade. He seemed to her excited gaze
the concentrated beat and pulse of
hundred lives controlled by the master
will that spoke through his burning
eyes. Often she wondered about his
power over her, wondered why Gid
con away. was so small a part of her
life; yet near, so masterful, monopoliz-
ing In the pause while he attended to
the lamp this question rose again;
and was still unanswered.
He turned to meet her mute scru-
tiny. His eyes were deep and tender.
his voice wooing. You're glad to
see me. aren't you, sweet Starr" He
threw his arm about her waist with a
motion both swift and gentle. as
might be a panther mothers, and
kissed her on the forehead.
Don't. Gideoni" Stella cried,
breathless struggling unavailingly, yet
not quite sorry that his arm did not
yield. Always with Gideon present
came the memory of their comradship.
a comforting sense of his strength, a
desire to lean upon him. If he would
only be content with brotherlinessi