The Irish standard., 1908-05-09

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
10 her room she met the hall boy and
ordered pen and paper. She had bare
ly seated herself TO write when dis.
patch interrupted her; it was ad-
dressed to William Dodge. and was
from Alfred al Carson City. Am de-
tained here. Will be in Colfax on the
thirtieth."
In the reaction of relief she wrote
short. almost happy letter to Alfred.
sending it to post by the hall boy. The
next day they faced homeward. No
other passenger shared the box seat
with Stella: and leisurely. a little shy
ly, she told Uncle Billy of her plans for
school. and received his advice, heart.
felt, If not always wise.
At Dutch Flat she stopped to visit
an acquaintance. timing her home.
going for Uncle Billy's next trip. hop.
ing vainly that Alfred would be with
him. 1t was indeed homecoming!
Days only she had been away; they
seemed weeks. Sally B.. Viola, Vic
Wah, even the dog, greeted her over
poweringly. Suddenly she realized
with a heart-wrench her leaving it
would be.
Here's a letter for you" Sally B.
said. when Stella was at last free. 1T
came yesterday"
She took it, but paled with quick
fear when she saw the strange hand
There was neither date. address, nor
signature; but the message was cruel.
Stella Anthony: Alfred Vincent's
life is in your hands. Send to the ad-
dress below within one week after
October 30 your written word that
you will marry Gideon Ingram. and
Vincent shall 60 free. Refuse to do
this and he shall die. Return this let
ter with your answer or 1t will not
avail"
In the postscript were directions for
! address; but Stella did not read them.
She thrust the sinister sheet out Of
sight in her pocket; yet the words
burned in her brain, written there for
ever. Motionless. she gazed at the
wall in a useless endeavor to think.
Darkness fell. Still she stood there.
leaning against the wall now, though
she had no memory Of moving A step
caught her ear. She started up, in.
tent on defending herself against in.
terruption. The Chinese boys harsh
voice came through the door telling
her that Alvin waited in the parlor to
say goodbye.
She went into the parlor. Alvin, q
man in years. yet ever the buoyant
boy, sprang forward with outstretched
hands TO greet her.
4 "Oh, Miss Stella, the so miles are
done! Done 'pon honor. too. The
commissioners have examined and ac-
cepted the work. They say it's O. *.
and the governments bound tc re-
ceive it. And the blamed strike that
broke out yesterday won't hinder the
C. P. mite; they've got more men
coming on the SLY. I'm going to my
Sacramento office in the morning. I
came to say good Why, Miss Stella!
What's the matter?"
His exuberance was a tonic Stella's
numb heart began to beat little color
to her lips, hope to her soul. Yet she
did not speak, though she smiled.
What is it. Miss Stella?" Alvin re-
peated. You look as If you'd died
and come back. though not all of you.
There's awful things in-your facet"
And in my heart, too. Alvin. Oh.
Alvin, i" She grew cold again, and
was silent.
Tactful Alvin said nothing, but push
ing a chair behind her pressed her
gently into It, He did not release her
hand, but stroked it softly. waiting for
her to speak.
Suddenly she started up. This was
Cne tnlrLletn, an0-a week, 1ne leLlcr
had said! And she did not know how
far the answer was to go. Precious
time had already been wasted. 1t
was ages since she read those awful
words. She must do something, tell
some one, get help. Alvin! He was
the one. She put the letter in his
hand. Read 1t, quick!" she COM
I. manded.
He complied. starting at the first
words. then reading on quietly, through
the postscript directions. and ending
with careful scrutiny of the en-
velope. Stella watched him anxiously,
wondering. even in her prcoccupation.
at the maturity and wisdom that came
into his face at emergency's call ooh,
Alvin. there must be some way be-
side-beside obeying. How can do
that? Yet how can ! be Allrcd's-
mur-murderer? She shuddered at
the word.
Perhaps this is only threat from
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