Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-08-20
a Thought You Went by the Stage"

tongue, confounded the bold eyes,
Phineas turned away, speeches. till
he was safe out,ide the copse. From
there he sent back a last hot shot. 81
didn't know l WINS poaohing on your
preserves, you Mjun dandy! l re.
sign"
Gideon set his teeth. Body and
brain, heart and soul, rebelled against
his restraining will, yet he neither re.
piled nor followed. A fighter born,
Stella alone, and Stella in trouble, pre-.
vented him from giving Phineas the
drnbbing of his life. Gideon waited
till the faint sound of footsteps pro
claimed Phineas out of earshot before
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him.
Poor little Start" he said softly,
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of one of your tears"
"Oh, I know it, Gideon; but I'm so
ashamed, so Inundated"
"The skunk!" Gideon's hands
clenched till the knuckles were white.
Abruptly he turned to Stella, grasping
her arm with the hand that had rested
tenderly on her shoulder. A quick
fame leaped in his mystic eyes.
Stella! You shall no longer be ex'
posed to such insults! You must mar
ry me, soon-now! You must"
Stella's face grew quickly grave,
mo, no, Gideon! l will never marry
any man for protection. I'd not dare
found a home when I'm so unprepared
for it's responsibilities. And-do you
wish me to be a barkeeper's wife,"
Gideon started, stung by the scorn
in her question, and released her arm,
But I'll do something else. I'll learn
any business you say. know | can
-for-for your sake l can"
Stella WINGED at the world Of tender
ness in his low words. That's not
done in a minute; and meantime"
Meantime" he interrupted excited.
ly, hopefully, meantime we'll be en-
gagged. Wen tell Sally B.-tell every
! pOuy, dnu "AlOCNCl uolEo LiohS you
unhappy shall feel that!" He held up
his doubled fist.
Stella could not help feeling a WON
ans gratitude for the comfort and
protection Gideon's loyal courage
promised; yet she said nothing, look
ing down on the green breast of Ma
ture, 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 your
But you do love m~e-you've always
loved me-" 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: Gid
con, how can I leave your"
Stella looked steadily at him, yet
did not speak. Gideon was silencet
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.
, "Stella!" he cried imperiously, "yol
know you love me; you can't deny it.
Eyes, Gideon, l love you. l would
, do anything in my power for you;
think--I think I would risk my life TO
, you, as you've more than ice riskeC
yours for me. Yet-yet-" Sh'
paused, looked up and smiled at him
Drawing one hand free she brushed
bit of lint from his sleeve, taking I'm
l necessary time for it. She was feel
, ing her way to safety, striving TO
mastery without a Gene. Yet, Gid
l con, / know there must be anothe
l kind of love. the kind you have TO
l me. You are older than l am, dear.
recognize no change in my feeling TO
you. l guess Pm still a child, ant
} you'll have to wait for me to grow up.
} ITO BE CONTINUED)