The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-02-27

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ing down on the green breast of Ma
mre dumbly seeking some wise word
from her bounty.
"Gideon"-she turned her eyes, still
wet. to his-"Gideon, dear, you'd want
your wife to love you, wouldn't you?'
But you do love me-you've always
loved nc" His words were confident.
He faced her, caught up her hands
"Oh. little STAR don't you remember
that last night in the station? You put
out your hands to me and said Cid
con how can leave you?
Stella looked steadily at him, yet
did not speak Gideon was silenced
by some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes She grew more and more
remote. He saw her slipping from
him. Though her hands were in his,
her soul was saying farewell.
"Stcla," he cried imperiousy, you
know you love me you can't deny it,
Yes, Gideon | love you, would
do anything in my power for YOU;
Think think | would risk my life for
you. as you've more than once rlslied
yours for me. Yet--yet-" She
paused, looked up and smiled at him.
Drawing one hand free she brushed a
bit of lint from his sleeve taking un-
necessary time for it. She was feel
ing her way to safety, striving for
mastery without a scene. yet, Gid.
con, / know there must be another
kind of love. the kind you have for
me. You are older than am, dear.
recognize no change in my feeling for
you. | guess I'm still a child, and
you'll have to wait for me to grow up,
He looked at her sharply, incredu-
lousy; did not give back her smile.
You looked grown up enough when
you walked by with that white-faced
Vincent Tuesday. | hate"
Hush. Gideon! You shall not speak
so, He's done you no harm. DO you
think you can make me love you by
abusing other men?"
He turned away, but she saw his
dark face cloud to blackness, his
hands open and close, his fingers set
deep into his palms. A vertical vein
in his forehead grew dark and full, a
sign she dreaded
At last his angry eyes fixed hers
and he spoke sullenly. IF it wasn't
for him you'd care for me. FIe has
stolen"
Stella Interrupted him desperately.
Gideon. listen! She caught his arm
and he felt her tremble, though her
look was fearless. 81 know | shall
never love you as you should be--as |
must love the man / marry. You must
not eXpect-not hope for it. | know
what such love should be-know
would rather live alone all my life
aud see the man | loved pass once a
year on the street than marry any
other."
Yes, that's right! But you'd want
to kill the woman who kept him from
you!"
No, no, no! For she would be the
one he loved! Should wish to make
him unhappy"
He started as if struck, He dropped
his head dejectedly. Pity awoke as
danger seemed averted Go back to
town, Gideon, please. I'm so sorry,
l'm-you know l wouldn't willingly
hurt you. don't you? Please goI'
She stopped and lowered her lids
that he might not see the tre.lbling
tears. But he did not speak; and
presently she looked at him again, her
gaze drawn by his silence. A tense
motionlessness held him, and she saw
a flame rise and CLEAN in his eyes
Yes, Stella, l will so. But [ shall
come again, another man-though I'll
have the same heart. Whatever it is
that gives a man charm for woman
that I'll find. And you shall grow up
very suddenly when next you see me
You shall love me-do you hear Stel.
la? Don't think l shall fail--you shall
love met"
With no goodbye he shot out of the
copse.
It was Stellas first defeat. Be
wildered, apprehensive a lonely hour
she battled before she felt able to face
again the Argus-eyed little town.
AS she rose to so a piece of folded
paper caught her attention. She picked
it up and opened it to find meaning
less tumble of words written in hand
she knew was not Gideon's. 1t must
be something belonging to Phineas
Should she return it to him? No Ev
identity it was of no Importance She
would tear it up. Yet some secondary
impulse impelled her to put it in her
pocket; and when she was again al
the hotel, to lay it away among her
papers
Continued in our next issuel
Obituary.