The Huttig news., 1908-03-14
CHAPTER VIII,
The CIoven Foot,

Stella shivered apprehensively when
Phineas walked into the dining room
a few days after Alfred's departure,
and crowded past the diners to take
the only vacant seat at her table.
Travel had grown heavier and Stella
assisted regularly now with the noon
waiting. She shrank at Phineas' loud,
familiar greeting, helplessly resenting
the inquiring looks of the other
guests.
Phineas Endorsed her fear by dis
charging bomb that startled more
than Stella. California is sure of her
transmontane railroad now! The San
Francisco and Washoe Railroad COM
pany has been organized with ten mil.
lions of capital behind it; and ten mil
lions more i will get from tie t4 gsTefh-
ment, besides whopping big land
grant. The road goes by Placerville
1t has staked out the backing of the
baby state of Nevada, and already be-
gun business. Oh, we fellows amt
asleep over Placervilla way, you bet
not! Well make those C. P. slubber-
degullions cough up their bootheels
yeti"
His loud words carried to all and
silenced the room for a pregnant in
slant. Even the clatter of iron cut
lery was suspended. When a subdued
hum did begin, dismay was in each
face and voice. The success of this
new scheme meant failure for the Cen
trail Pacific company; and in that To-
cality the Central Pacific railroad was
mother to every enterprise, bread to
every mouth.
AS soon as she could, Stella wrote
hastily to Alfred, telling him of the
coming of Phineas and his astounding
news. She asked Sally B. to hand the
letter to the driver as a special com
mission and set out through the back
door for walk before lesson time,
hoping to recover tranquility.
She took the little path skirting
winter rivulet back of the town, and
came soon to clump of pines little
way up the sunny hillside She was
quite in view from the short street
until hidden by a thicket of laurel
and holly hugging close about the
taller pines Though a scant half
mile from the hotel the small nook
was away from all paths and had
proved safe retreat.
To-day Stellas grateful solitude was
short-lived. Quick steps had followed
hers: the twigs parted and Phineas
stood before her.
Stellas intuition was unerring. but
her caution was unframed. She did
him. MIR. Cadwallader!" she cried,
starting up. Il thought you went
away by the STAGE
Il didn't, you see. I'm here instead"
He bowed deferentially. How could
l go without word with you, the belle
of the village? Won't you sit down
again?'' He waved his hand toward
the rock from which she had risen, but
kept his place near the entrance.
THANK you, Mr.. Cadwallader. Please
excuse me; | must hurry hack" She
took step forward, but he did not
offer to give her egress.
Whats your hurry, Miss Stella?
You are lovely dryad here at your
shrine, and pretty girls to say nothing
of dryads, are too few in my busy life.
You surely won't be so cruel as to
leave me without word?"
His manner was as respectful as he
could make it. Still, Stella knew he
made conquests merely to brag of
them. Its time for Miss Viola's les
sons, and l must co., she said with de-
cision.
He did not move "Vi's lessons don't
begin till two; Sally B. said so. It's
1:15 now; time enough for a little
talk, isn't there? I've something i'm
portant to say to you" Phineas gazed
at her boldly, expecting to see flush
Of arprehensiye color sweep her face.