The Irish standard., 1908-05-02
morrow we shall be marrledl-,

morrow we snail be marr1ed-h~
Gideon! Gideon! Stop. for
heavens sake! How many times must
| tell you I cannot will not marry
you? l love Alfred Vincent. Some
day he intends to marry me-
Intends to marry you! Some day."
Tenderness fled. The words flashed
forth like the hiss of snake. He
faced her fiercely. the veins in his
forehead swelling quickly. undulatinE-
ly. The primordial male was master
now. holding in leash every grace of
refinement. every saints virtue he had
won. Listen, Stella Anthony! II
that woman-dandy cared for you. IL he
had been man enough to marry you.
to put you beyond the insult Of rail-
road-camp gossip and curiosity. I'd
hide away in the mountains and live
on memories. But he's spelling your
life! And he shall not live to spoil it
longer! I'LL
"No. no. Gideon!" she broke in ex-
citedly. Don't say those words! You
shall not harm him." She stood erect,
her eye blazing back flame for fame
For herself weak. for him she loved
she was lioness at bay DO you call
that love?" she asked scornfully, ito
strike a woman through the man she
loves? I could hate you. Gideon
Ingram! Leave me! hope never to
see your face again!"
Gideon did not speak. Stella reused
and angry was new being to him.
He had not realized that her spirit was
as intrepid as his own. Stripped
of compassion for his love of her,
wrenched free from the claim of their
past, she flung out her stinging words
like whip-strokes.
Love! What do you know Of that
sacred thing? Hide in your noun
tains? Yes! And stay. till you learn
that first Of all love is not for self, but
to serve the loved one. I could never
love you. If Alfred were ten times
dead, Id not marry you!"
Red lights were burning in Gideon's 8
passionate eyes. and he turned to her
with savage counter threat.
Whether Vincent lives or not, you
shall be my wife, Stella Anthony!
There's no other woman in the world
but you. and l shall be worthy of YOU
You shall see my face again-you
shall pray to see it!" He lowered over
her, his stormy eyes fixed on hers un-
flinchingly, yet he did not touch her.
"Good-bye." he said in a lower voice.
81 shall find him; and I shall come
again." He stepped backward as he
finished.
She sprang after him, but he had
closed the door and slid into the night.
When she looked out he was neither
to be seen nor heard. She stood a
moment in the open doorway, striving
to quiet the tumult OF soul and body
The weakness of reaction came quick
ly. The scene rehearsed grew in Dor
tent. No fiery courage rose to meet
the memory Of his threats; yet they
grew more dreadful; and the com.
pelling power Of his presence re.
mained. A dozen uncertain plans
chased one another through her whirl.
ing brain. She would telegraph AL
fred. But where? What could she
say? She could not send heart trage-
dies over the wires, accuse Gideon be-
forehand of murder!
She would write-get Uncle Billy to
deliver her letter in person. She wrote
a feverish letter. destroyed it. and
wrote again; then fastened out to find
Uncle Billy. In the kitchen she came
upon Sally B. experimenting the extra
baking.
Uncle Billy? He's snatchin' 40
winks. He didn't go up till bit ago:
he amt to be disturbed" She was
emphatic. Say! The race begins
o. X! Train'll be here at $3.50 instid
O four o'clock! Uncle Billy lows he'll
git of in four minutes after"
"Oh. must speak to him alone"
Stella nleaded. "iust minute when