The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-03-26
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them tomorrow. To-day we are TO go
over some Of the grading. You must
go with us, though ] shall have 10 pay
more attention to-"
"Oh, no! Don't ask me. I'd rather
stay"
Stella, / want you TO meet these
people, wish to have them know you.
They are men you must know and
meet often, Tiff our hopes come true.
Besides, Miss Hamilton is the only
woman; the others are officials and
capitalists Mr.. Croker is entertain
ing. II will be much pleasanter for
her II you go. Will your"
Stella hesitated Not for the reason
that Alfred had asked her to play
second fiddle" but because the vision
of a small m in lea travelling
garb following Sally b. upstairs did
not increase Stella's confidence in her
self. A sudden feeling that she sus.
pected was resentment astonished her.
She found herself angry because this
self-assured woman had invaded her
own domain. She took herself sharply
III MANU- NdS LhiS Jnt way SIlt SHOlliu
treat Alfred? Refuse his every re-
quest? I'm go because you wish it,
Alfred" she said heartily.
Miss Hamilton entered, looking very
trim and FIT in her cool, blue linen
gown, with hat, parasol and furbeIow
In harmony. She acknowledged the
introduction prettily, bowling graceful
ly and taking Stella's hand.
Dear me, Miss Anthony, How do
you manage that exquisite complexion
in this heat and dust? And how can
you look so sweetly serene living here,
where everything Is in such a jun.
ble?" she ratified on after the first
words Of greeting were past.
Stella blushed at the glib compli-
ments. She hated herself for doubt
ing Miss Hamilton's sincerity, and re-
piled hesitatingly.
Alfred came to her rescue. We
shall start in a few minutes. Will you
be ready and join us here? Wen wait
for you"
"Oh, are you going out to view the
iron track with us, Miss Anthony?
How perfectly splendid. Get ready,
quick, there's a dear"
The words were astonishing to Stel-
la. Why did this stranger speak as IL
they had been friends for years? SteI-
la shot a glance at Alfred, but ne gave
no sign of surprise.
In a vague, masculine way he tried
to send Stella an encouraging glance;
but he missed her eye as she stopped
to gather up ~wrappings and boxes, and
her wistful look from the doorway
was unanswered because Miss Hamil-
ton had impressed Alfred's eyes and
fingers to her service.
Dear me, Mr.. Vincent. One of my
shoe buttons is unfastened. Will you
lend me your button hook? oh, per-
haps you'll She put out her pretty
foot.
Alfred was on his knee. back to
Stella. when she closed the door. All
the way upstairs she thought OF the
little scene below. Wide as was the
gulf that separated Sally B. from her.
self, she knew the type Miss Hamilton
represented was farther removed.
The coaches arrived and they drove
eastward on the stage road till they
came opposite the selected spot, when
they alighted and climbed to the high
er railroad grade.
Miss Hamilton took the center of
the stage quite naturally. She wished
to learn. took it for granted that Al
f..kI xva,1d he xvtlls-~ tAalAr q
Where in the world did you find
enough men? Now many have you,
Mr.. Vincent? A million?" She looked
up bewitchingly; and Alfred was not
impervious to the subtle fattery that
for the moment invested him with the
dignity Of the owners and captains
OF the road.
He smiled. .We have just one two
hundred-and-fftieth OF that million,
Miss Hamilton. We wish we had
more. We're going to have more, If
we have to steal them.r
Miss Hamilton admired the con
fidence in his words.
We've more than 1000 horses and
carts; and a $25,0 900 order has just
been placed for more stock and tools"
Are men so hard to get?"
White men are. Cinnamon less
hard"
why don't you use more China
men, then?" she asked. glancing down
from a rock that jutted into the path.
They're afraid of drill and powder"
Alfred replied to the question.
They were on the grade now. creep
ing around the shoulder of Cape Horn.
Hundreds OF feet above lowered
straight granite walls. Thousands OF
feet below, sheer and jagged, the
walls met the foot of the opposite
mountain; and in the narrow, crooked
crack at the bottom the American
river seethed and tumbled It's tortu
Gus way to the ocean.
AS they came to a point where the
~stupendous scene opened fully before
them. Miss Hamilton's gay chatter
ceased. Men hushed their talk of
stocks and bonds, purchase and sale.
Stella. too. forgot the blood and flame
In her attire. forgot even Alfred and
his bright companion.
This must be Ossa piled upon
Pelion," Miss Hamilton said softly.