The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-04-23

The Message Was Cruel.
think best. I'd say San Francisco; it's
bigger, you a hide safer there"
Eyes, that will be better. But you,
Alvin"
"Oh, don't worry about me. I'll be
back here before daylight, and take
the train tomorrow. Every one knows
I'm to 60 to Sacramento"
Stella was silent.
Got any money!"
mot much. My trip to Virginia took
most OF It,"
We'll, don't idget over that. I've
a couple Of hundred I can lend you
as well as not; and you can take your
time to pay. No matter II it's never.
And maybe Sally b. can think up a
better trick for you"
20, Alvin, you're so good Thank"
She could not trust her voice, yet after
q struggle went on. I'm sure, Alvin,
we've thought Of the only way. But
We will tell What time must we
START"
Not later than midnight. You bet
ter get everything fixed before ten,
and let the house get plumb dark an
hour or so before"
Very we'll. I'll have my letter writ
ten in a half-hour. Will you come for
1t and mail 1t at once?"
He nodded.
. And Alvin, will you stay here while
! talk it all over with Sally B.? l
want no misunderstanding of what we
are to do"
Alvin assented and she left him.
There was no hesitation now. A
strange calmness ~pervaded her. With
out hesitancy or revising she wrote
the words that were to separate her
from her past, that were to bind her
to a life of lonely hiding.
mot to save any mans life, or W.
my own" she wrote, will | marry
Gideon Ingram. This much I promise,
however. | will leave this place
and all who know me. | will
hide so securely that 1t will be
useless for any one to seek me.
And | will never meet Alfred Vim.
cent, communicate with him, or re-
ceive communication from him until
Gideon Ingram himself gives permits.
sion."
She signed the letter, directed and
sealed the envelope and went down.
stairs.
You pore little critter!" Sally B.
cried, flying to her with open arms as
she entered. AIS told me the hull
blamed layout! Blast that burned
~lnjun!" She felt Stella tremble in her
arms. Don't be afeard, honey! You've
got friends. Men Billll stand by ye,
You've struck the only thing to do, l
reckon"
Stella stood erect and was silent.
The others watched her without speak,
ing, waiting on her mood. At last she
faced them.
This step changes all my life.
Please tell Uncle Billy the-the best
thing you can think OF, Mrs. Sally"
Stella said, the words coming slowly,
as IL she were thinking out her plan
as she went, From this time | shall
be Esther Anthony. Only you, Mrs,
Sally, shall know where | am, or what
I'm doing. Uncle Billy and Alvin
you're so good, Alvin-they al know
of me through you. Will you keep my
secret, Sally Bernard, s~acredly?"
It's %thunderin' noble, this thing
that yo're goin' to do, Stella: an I'll
promise, an keep my mouth shet o. K.
IL you likewise promise to always let
me know where yo're a-hanging out.
Do your"
Yes" Stella said, and walked to the
window, speechless. No sound es.
capped her, but Sally B. saw her shout.
ders lift and tremble, and few TO her,
her with a love that Stella
knew would never fail. When Alvin
at midnight the hotel was dark
and silent. Not a glimmer of light
from behind the curtains where
Sally B. watched with wet eyes while
drove away, her head turned to-
that window as long as she could
see II.
The next morning Sally B. joined
her excited c~onjectures with the most
eager OF the questioning gossips. And
none who listened to her lurid remarks
upon Stella's flight dreamed that her
aching heart was following the soli-
AIRY, fleeing girl.