The Irish standard., 1908-03-14
Of Gods best, II he is set up mite

Does he live alone? Oh, no: 1 sup.
pose he has helper as tiey have at
other stations, hasn't he?" Alfred
hoped the driver would tell him more
of the station agent, not because of
his own interest in the agent, but that
he might be saved from thinking.
YES. he has a helper Gid Ingram;
but he's only boy, if he is big. And
Stella, pore little chicken! She
Alfred waited discreetly.
Away back in the fifties Anthony
struck it rich oveh Washoo way" IN
Gle Billy began again in steadier
tone. Struck it powerful rich; panned
out money fastehn he could count It,
And what did he do but put up the
durndest biggest palace this side of
'Frisco-put it up right there where
he struck tin. 1t was a bang-up place
TO sho'; big rooms with tloweh gyar-
dens in the carpets, and tloweh gyar-
dens on the walls; gold chairs. and
looking glasses till yo'd see yoself so
many times yo'd think yo'd got EN-
again.
THAT there house." he continued
presently, stood in little artificial
looking gyarden, just as sassy as jay
bird, setting there on the bare flank
of the Si-eery Nevaydys. But the
whole blamed outfit looked awful lone
some in spite of bein' so grand and
handsome. 1t seemed burned out Of
place. like peafowl in full spread on
snowbank."
Didn't Mr.. Anthony have a fam.
ily?" Alfred questioned.
Yes, one little gal; that was all.
When he got those domestic guards
dealt out to suit him. he sent back
east somewhere for her. She was a
peart little slip bout nine yeahs old
come oven from Sacramento in my
stage. l used to drive in Gods coun.
try those days.
Anthony put her in as mistress of
the mansion: an there she'd sit in her
high-back chair at the head of the
table as big as life, the only bit of
crinoline present when he'd give grand
dinnehs to the Washoe quality. The
men would toast her, and she'd stan
up and bow. solemn as a funeral"
What? No woman at all around
herr"
"Oh, he had an old woman to look
after her a mite, comb and mend. and
such: a good old critteh. but nc
thoroughbred. And except for her the
little one neveh saw any but men,"
"Hnu did che
Anthony himself taught her; he
was a teacheh once She was as peart
as chain lightning; and he had coolies
of books.
Anthony went fat broke few
yeahs back: lost everything. including
his grip. Some friend put in a word
for him with the old man. and he came
oveh hyah to hold up this station"
us he going to keep her here al
ways?"
No, that's fretting him. He told
me on the quiet he was fixing to take
her inside and put her to school this
yeah in San Francisco"
How old is she?'
She's young enough. Say, youns
felleh!" Uncle Billy turned sharply
and his words We're stern. Likely she
amt cut afteh the pattern O crinolint
yore used to: but she's fast colohs
all right. And five may see mo
like-like what's back yondeh--I wan
to stake you right now to stand b,
Stella Anthony
you can count on me-"
The words were curt, but something
In their utterancc satisfied the driver
Jimmy! The barns gone!" Uncle
Billy exclaimed as the stage drew nea,
a square stone house. loop-holed like
battle Ship with tiny points of ligh
shining through
A heavy bar ratified to the floor in
side, the one door opened cautiously
and a woman appeared holding can
die IN her urligted hand. She wa.
tall and straight her figure youthful
In spite of 'susual size; but the
faring flame, cleaning down over he
breeze-tossed hair. cast aging shad
ows on her face: and Alfred saw thu
candle-stick shake.
TT that you. Uncle Billy" The
voice was steady, yet Alfred caugh
its note Of terror.
yes. honey" Relief and tender
ness blended in the answer
"rhe Indians-did you get through
without any trouble?"
Yes, without trouble, now that
see my little gals safe" He wa
quickly on tn" ground, his arm
around her.
, "Oh, Uncle Billy, father's-oh,
don't know whore he is! The barn
| burned, the stock gone, and Gid an,
, I've fought EN- all" Her voice broke
, and she hid her face on his shoulde,
CHAPTER u.
Hail and Farewell.
, Quickly Stella controlled hersel
, and was going about the station dutie
with quiet ca'nness that SURPRISE
Alfred.
, We've a little barley in her, TO,
. tunately and some blankets for III