Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-07-09
CHAPTER xIv.-contInusd.


On the morning of the day OF days
sence. Stella knew nothing OF his
wanderings save the little told In his
infrequent letters. and she was quite
unprepared for the Gideon who pre-.
sented himself before her. The change
she saw in him was mysterious, al.
most uncanny. Something about him,
his clothes. his bow. his voice. an at.
mosphere she could neither define nor
understand, made her feel as IL char.
acter before unknown had stepped out
OF q book to meet her. She was glad
there was no time for him. that SIZE
could plead the pressure OF work for
tho evening.
He had hardly gone when Vic Wah
poked his yellow face into grand.
ma'am's room. where In spite OF Au.
gust heat. four women were plying
hurrying needles in last preparations
for the evening.
Charley Clocker. he come now plit.
ty SOON
Cut my shoestrings! Extras. Vic
and hurry" Sally b. rolled up her
work with one hand. smoothed her
hair with the other and was out OF the
room before the cooks reply was
finished.
You callee me Vic Wah! Sabe ?
All light. Extlas plenty gosh quick.
l damn hully." he called after her as he
ambled 20 the kitchen, his words fol.
lowing her flying form to the Office
door.
Standing In the open doorway Sally
ID. began a yoluble welcome to her dis.
tinguished guest while he was yet a
great way or" her high words carry.
ing like arrows from a taut bowsiring
Not to the public wash basin and
Sll-serving roller fowl. but to her fas
tidlOusly clean best room, kept for
such emergencies. Sally b. conducted
Mr.. Croker for "a wash.up n hair,
brush" Without actual need OF the
ceremony. he was too tactful 10 de
cline II. but used Sally BIS home
wrought convenlences with an appre,
clativs thoroughness that brought
broad smiles to her face as she stood
by. serving him. and retailing we'll
selected railroad gossip the while.
The dinner served to the supSrinten
dent, seated apart in q corner OF the
dining room. testified TO Vic Wah'S
fine understanding of the laconic or
der. extras" The hag-draped. ar
trimmed walls. and a stage at the end
of the room, aroused Mr. crockers Gu
riosity; and Sally BIS description Of
the show TO be held there that night
'fur the benefit Of Jim Saekett's wild
der" was so eloquent that Mr.. Croker
put In her hand the first Ave dollars
for a reserved seat" he said.
At six o'clock came 4 message from
Alfred 10 Stella. MY train is ordered
70 the Front. You'll have 70 postpone
the programme TIL I come. Set then
20 dancing. and get Sally b. 10 on
plain. She's hostess; II will come
properly from her I'll be there Al
soon aa possible. II will be after ten
Ths dispatch met Stella as she
went in TO supper. early tonight and
contrary TO her custom.
Transfers, trasnmen. shopkeepers
saloonmen. gamblers. employees Of In
gram. Finn q GOuids Fast Freight
wagon train 10 leave IN q dsy or q
Tor the desert the three musiclani
from Auburn. a travelling minister
Il was an odd companioning OF Drawn
brain and guile there NJ supper unde
the yellow kerosene lights in salll
B.a hotel. No tabIetalk served a. I
sauce 70 meat: no ceremony graee'
the daily meal. Men did not eat, the!