The Forrest City times., 1908-07-10
CHAPTER VIl.-Continued.

CHAPTER VIl.-Contnued.
 Sally B. saw Lis disappointment and came quickly to his rescue Go with my Viola here; she'll show ye You can make the house across the gulch in 15 minutes. Mr Sacket was killed by blast the other day, you know, an Stella's ben with the widder sence. But Ni'l stay with her. an you'n Stella can talk heap in a half hour. Walk this way. an slow: an yell still have quarter-hour fur yer dinner fore the stage leaves. Billy Dodge pulls out today; he'll give ye an extra minute or two
 Alfred flushed at Sally B's loud plans. He had found instant favor in her eyes. His obvious superiority 10 the men that swarmed, un- welcome, about Stella at every op- portunity, decided Sally E. to aid him with Stella. The sooner they settled things the better it would be for her. But she had no conception of the complexities of Alfred's nature and rearing. She could not have compre- hended, had he explained it, his senti- ment for Stella, did not dream of the cause of his flush of annoyance as he left her-an annoyance that lasted and made him silent companion in the quick walk
 Viola, dancing shyly at his angry eyes, registered against him a con elusion he might have needed tc reckon with had not the vision of Stel la in the doorway banished gloom anG evoked a smile that the child was quite old enough to read and glory in
 Breathless, Viola explained her com ing with such bald candor that Stella went forth dumb with embarrassment She had lived hard the past few weeks; Alfred realized it at once. But now she was tonguetied. The con straint born of separation was upon her. Intuition read to her a little of the record of Alfred's experiences; of his different and expressing cares Also, the impact of lives and ex pefiences surrounding her had created an incomprehensble atmosphere through which she saw Alfred as through veil, q different Alfred.
 He felt her diifidenee and construed it as kind indifference. She did no love him; she wished him to recognize the absurd situation Viola had thrus upon them. vet she was too gentle tt hurt him with speech.
 And thus the fleet minutes Wanet while these two dumbly sought eacl other. like lovers at bal masque clasping hands yet sundered by domino.
 They came down the path to tGwI and mounted the high. uneven side walk. Uncle Billy had just dashed up to the express office the curvettin, six under the spur of his mysteriou. skill still showing of proudly to tn, aGmiring bystanders. Gideon was il the barsoom doorway his glowerin: eyes fixed on the approaching pair Alfred diseerned the hate in Gideon surly greeting. saw the loutish leer and nUdges of the loungers. Stella burning cheeks; he even mistook tn, satisfaction in Uncle Billy.s hearty urging.
 Get outside of yo' dinneh at two forty gait, Vincent The OyehlanC eain't wait. and Uncle Billy caint mis. yo' company Sabe 2@
 Al the dining room door Stell; paused and held out her hand.
 No, its not good bye, Alfred said though he took her hand "I shall sta, ever. shall see you to-night-and-"
 Hello. Vincent, You're the verl man waEted to see. Had your din Aer?" Superintendent Crocker breezet out of the dining room, his eyes givint sincere admiration to Stella, his Yoic, hearty welcome to Alfred
 No. sir, Alfred answered hesitat ingly. T.
 Eat quick. then. Billy Dodge don wait for passengers important or oth erwise. The greatest luck this. 1 ex pected dull trip oyer-always ex cepting the driver" He waved ( smiling apology to Uncle Billy ant climbed 10 the seat beside him.
 Alfred felt his body grow leadcn and he startled Stella with his strained voice
 "Yery well. Mr. Crocker; I'll be witt yon in minute"
 He turned 10 Stella. There wa: soEs hing in her unguarded face thai set bis every nerve aungle; tha