The Irish standard., 1908-05-09
CHAPTER XXI.
A Heart for a Life.


In the depressing loneliness Of q
strange hotel Stella's fears returned,
multiplied by the hours they had
rested. Ilnpatiently she paced the
small room. She had no watch to
count the minutes. But that the sun
still shone on the mountain above her,
she would have declared it already
night.
Where was Uncle Billy? Why hadn't
he come to take her TO dinner?
Innocent Stella! She knew nothing
Of Mrs. Grundys code: suspected no
aloofness. In ColfaX, under Sally BIS
powerful wing, where Uncle Billy was
known and approved. no one would
have dared a breath against her. But
it was very different in this feverish
city. Good women were few. Honest
men, toiling for loved ones away,
;ostled the blackleg. the gambler, the
man of many aliases: and petticoated
vice preyed upon its authors, and
sorely beset clean hearts as we'll. A
beautiful friendless girl must indeed
be hedged by angels if she were to run
safely the gantlet Of this "wickedest
city in the world
She left her room and wandered
about in search of the parlor; came
upon it at last.-small stuffy and
possessed by several oyerdressed. be-
diamonded women, who stared at her
hrazenly and openly commented on
her. AS from pestlence, she fed to
her own corridor again. hesitating be.
fore her door, But vanquished by
thought of the desolation within, she
dropped the key in her pocket and
began walking the narrow hall, darker,
emptier than her room, but open at
either end to human approach. Here
the hall boy found her. bringing a
message from Uncle Billy to meet him
in the parlor.
Stella thought of it little resentful-
ly as she hurried on, recalling the in.
hospitable occupants. But they were
gone; and at sight of Uncle Billy's
CHEEKY face she forgot they had ever
been.
He came to her with outstretched
hands. GAS l told you, honey. Vim
cents o. K. He's"
"Here?" she interrupted impetu.
ously.
"No; he didn't come through, honey.
Blodgett, the driver, said he got off at
ro M oh ~ + iVo
seemed to have business togetheh.'
"Oh!" The long-drawn exclamation
was all of Stella's reply; and he hoped
she would ask no questions.
you must shut those sweet peepehs
Of yo's sharp aftch suppeh; get right
smart of sleep tonight, TO you must
start home early in the mawning."
"Gideon-where do you suppose he
is, Uncle Billy"
He had dreaded the words. Honey,
why do you pestch yo'self about Gid.
con? II Vincent's doing business with
anotheh man, both Of them G. p. fel.
lows, how can Gideon get in any devil.
try?"
Stella was not reassured. But,
Uncle Billy, Phincas Cadwallader's no
protection; he hates Alfred. And why
didn't we see Gideon on the way? He
must have come in ahead Of us-must
be here now, and II could only get
word from Alfred!"
"Shall telegraph for you?"
She shrank back. ooh, no. He
wouldn't wish me to send him mes
sages over the wires"
"Ill fix that. He won't know yore
heah."
That will be good; thank you. I'm
such a trouble to you, Uncle Billy!
And my trip has been quite useless,
she added YEARLY
Not useless. honey. You brough,
me luck-wOn the race for u.s."
She smiled. 81 hope I'll bring you
more luck. I'll go home with you to
morrow"
That's right. child. Goodbye till
mawning. Have sweet dreams"
"Good-bye?" she echoed wondering
ly. Aren't you going to stay here
tonight? Take me in to supper"
He WINGED before her steady eyes
and lied heroically. Il have a heap tc
do befo' I'll be ready for the trir
home; and ] won't have time to see
you again. Eat good suppeh, child
won't you? Have you money to pay
for it,"
Not a two-bt piece, Uncle Billy
You pay for me. won't you? And book
me, too? I'll have it for you when we
get home.'
She was surprised by his silence and
nervousness. He opened his purse
quickly. and forced some money upon
her, his embarrassment increasing al
he looked furtively through each open
door while pressing her hand shut
over the coin. Take that" he whis
pered. ."YOu must Day yO' own bills. and