The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-04-23
CHAPTER XXI.
A Heart for a Life.

ia -
strange hotel Stella's fears returned,
multiplied by the hours they had
rested. Impatiently she paced the
small room. She had no watch to
count the minutes. But that the sun
still shone on the mountain above her,
she would have declared it already
night.
Where was Uncle Billy? Why hadn't
he come to take her to dinner?
Innocent Stella! She knew nothing
of Mrs. Grundy's code; suspected no
whit of the reason for Uncle Billy's
aloofness. In Colfax, under Sally BIS
powerful wing, where Uncle Billy was
known and approved, no one would
have dared a breath against her. But
it was very different in this feverish
city. Good women were few. Honest
men, toiling for loved ones away,
jostled the blackleg, the gambler, the
man of many aliases; and petticoated
vice preyed upon its authors, and
sorely beset clean hearts as well. A
beautiful ~friendless girl must indeed
be hedged by angels IL she were to run
safely the gantiet Of this "wickedest
city in the world"
She left her room and wandered
about in search of the parlor; came
upon it at last-small, stuffy and
possessed by several overdressed, be-
diamonded women, who stared at her
brazenly and openly commented on
her. AS from a pestilence, she fed to
her own corridor again, hesitating DO.
fore her door. But vanquished by
thought of the desolation within, she
dropped the key in her pocket and
began walking the narrow hall, darker,
emptier than her room, but open at
either end to human approach. Here
the hall boy found her, bringing a
message from Uncle Billy to meet him
in the parlor.
Stella thought of it a little resentful.
ly as she hurried on, recalling the in.
hospitable occupants. But they were
gone; and at sight Of Uncle Billy's
CHEEKY face she forgot they had ever
been.
He came to her with outstretched
hands. "As | told you, honey, Vim.
cents o. X. Hes"
"Here?" she interrupted impetu.
ousIy.
NO; he didn't come through, honey.
Blodgett, the driver, said he got of at
Carson. Cadwalladeh met him; they
seemed to have business togetheh."
oh" The long-drawn exclamation
was all of Stella's reply; and he hoped
she would ask no questions.
You must shut those sweet peepehs
Of yo's sharp afteh suppeh; get right
smart of sleep tonight, TO you must
start home early in the mawning."
"Gideon-where do you suppose he
is, Uncle Billy?"
He had dreaded the words. Honey,
why do you pesteh yo'self about Gid.
con? If Vincent's doing business with
anotheh man, both of them c. p. fel,
lows, how can Gideon get in any devil.
try"
Stella was not treasured. But,
Uncle Billy, Phineas Cadwallader's no
protection; he hates Alfred. And why
NbNAL = W. 10 NiuCoh ou Ihc way Ilo
must have come in ahead of us-must
be here now, and II / could only get
word from Alfred!"
Shall / telegraph for your"
She shrank back. "Oh, no. He
wouldn't wish me to send him mes.
sages over the wires"
"TIl fix that. He won't know yo're
heah."
That will be good; thank you. I'm
such a trouble to you, Uncle Billy!
And my trip has been quite useless"
she added YEARLY.
Not useless, honey. You brought
me luck-won the race for u.s."
She smiled. Il hope I'll bring you
more luck. I'll go home with you to.
morrow"
That's right, child. Goodbye till
mawning. Have sweet dreams"
"Good-bye?" she echoed wondering,
ly. Aren't you going to stay here
tonight? Take me in to supper"
He WINGED before her steady eyes,
and lied heroically. II have a heap to
do befo' I'll be ready for the trip
home; and / won't have time to see
you again. Fat a good suppeh, child,
won't you? Have you money to pay
for it?"
Not a two-bit piece, Uncle Billy.
You pay for me, won't you? And book
me, too? III have It for you when we
get home"
She was surprised by his silence and
nervousness. He opened his purse
quickly, and forced some money upon
her, his embarrassment increasing as
he looked furtively through each open
door while pressing her hand shut
over the coin. Take that" he wills
pered. You must pay yo' own bills, and
book yoself, honey. Don't ask me
why!" he added as she opened her lips
to speak.
Instantly he was gone, leaving her
to puzzle out the matter for herself.
But the need for assembling her re-
lations with Uncle Billy, whom she
had known longer than any one living
save Gideon, did not dawn upon her.
Supper alone was less an ordeal
than she had expected. On her return
her room she met the hall boy and
ordered pen and paper. She had bare
ly seated herself to write when a dis.