The Prescott daily news., 1908-07-18

the night before had been broken with the setting of the lop-sided moon. And Stella, standing on the railroad plat form, wise in staying away from him till that morning, strong in her re- solve which he could feel but not de- fine-it needed but this attitude to re- call the ardor of his love for her, more insistent as she grew more remote.
 Alfred wrote at great length to Stel- la, making a bad matter worse by his too ardent defense of Amabel, and by self-condemnation that did not ring quite true. The reply to this letter disclosed to him hitherto unknown Stella.
 More than a second time he read it. ceive her. She would always know his inmost heart. She might uncomplain- ingly bear neglect after marriage, coldness; but she would never for give him if he married her with less than the whole of his love.
 The middle of October found Alfred in Placerville, where had been sent to purchase for the company large amount of fish-joint iron originally bought for the Placerville road. When the river end of this road the Sacra- mento Valley road fell into Central Pacific hands, iron was no longer use full to the defunct San Francisco and Washoe, which was to have taken over all track to Placerville Yet, Any thing to beat the Central Pacific" was still the cry; and Alfred had need of all his discretion; for the opposition would never knowingly sell rails to the Central Pacific company.
 "I have a delicate errand here" he wrote toward the close of long let ter to Stella, that I may not tell you as much haste as possible. l hope to be one of the passengers to Virginia City on the day the Placerville Stage company has set to snow under the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake State Company's schedule. If so, 1 shall complete my business there and be with you two days later. I'll telegraph the day leave Virginia.
 By the way, Cadwallader is here, ostensibly looking up laborers, which is about all the company gives him to do lately. He is very cordial, and claims to know of a secret big deal;' a mine in Nevada, that he wishes me to join him in exploiting. I'm sus- picious of his schemes; yet he has some good men with him, and I may look it up.
 But here is the cream of my letter for you, dear-for us. 1 ana to have a handsome percentage of any money that I can save the company in this enterprise now pending. If the busi- ness goes as it promises, the day when nearer.'
 Closing words were penned from a flood of tenderness that carried over mountain and vale, and were still warm on the page when they met Stella's eye.
 In her favorite hillside nook. wrapped about with the fruity fra grance of autumn, Stella read and re- read Alfred's letter, and unused upon the vague plans for the future that now occupied her mind. Nothing definite had come to her; but her growing determination to improve her self was augmented by a tormenting vision of little woman in blue, light and dainty, where she herself was heavy; vivacious and quick, where she was slow; charming, where she was dull. Stella wished she were small, delicate, timid-a hundred things she was not yet she was sen. sible enough to know that assuming them would be folly. For underlying all her vain wishes was a recognition of something within, a dim vision of the power of her own soul, that brought tranquility and courage for her difficult venture.
 The declining sun shot a level ray into her retreat before she realized the hour and the call of duty. Long before she reached the hotel, Alvin S cheerful voice floated up in one of his jocund songs.
 Stella sighed. In few days Alvins bright face would be out of her life He had been promoted from Colfax to the Sacramento office, and was now awaiting his successor. Yet the sight of him carried her thought swiftly to the telegram from Gideon he had that morning brought her.
 The message was brief. Gideon was coming for her! He had not needed her negative-laden letters. She had not disclosed her engagement; she had been afraid. And there was reason for fear The pnSsin cnncarn.