The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-04-16

in the mawnin', | flgger You can tell
into five minutes when we heah what
time the train leaves Sacramento"
Sally b. sped away to the Kitchen.
Stella detained Uncle Billy second In
the hall. her hand on his coat lapel
She had intended to speak with him
about schools, where to go, how to set
about the new life; but these ques'
tions must wait His trip and its sue"
cess were the only things that mat
tered now.
Aren't you going to rest?" she
asked. There are plenty others to
work Go to bed early, won't you,
Uncle Billy?"
He crossed his warm, strong hand
over hers with fond pressure. 1t was
sweet to have her womanly solicitude,
to feel her near him, her soft hand
pulsing under his own. "Afteh the
fight is time enough to rest, little girl.
| must see that my wagon and stock
are all right for the first hard drive.
Ill have to trust to luck afteh that, or
to the hostlehs-thats about the same
thing"
Well rest as much as you can,
then, Ill have luck flower for your
button-hoe when you start" She
smiled into his eyes, her own shining
with excitement You'll win, Uncle
Billy! | know it,"
She watched him down the street to
the stage barn, where she knew no
item of preparation would escape his
vigilant eye. Yet there was time to
spare Would he take advantage of
It? Perhaps not She knew he was
master of that perfect relaxation that
prepares for stress as well as sleep
does
Alvin had dropped his study, Viola
was fighting her trouble alone and
Sally b. was in the kitchen. Stella,
left with no pressing duty, wandered
into the dark parlor. Lighting it was
Viola's task, but she had forgotten to-
night, to Stellas satisfaction.
She drew a chair to the window that
faced the dim mountain across the
gorge, closed her senses to the little
world about her and was quickly off
with the sprites of the Night to keep
her hearts tryst with Alfred Not
quite alone did they two meet this
night in fancy's fair halls. Viola, AL
win. even Sally BIS uncompromising
black eyes interrupted Stella's dreams.
Minutes licked by unheeded Hur-
rying feet came and went; calls, cries,
hasty commands, odors of unusual
cooking floated past inadequate doors;
but Stella was oblivious till a draught
of air struck her cheek sharply and
Gideon's voice called her.
She started to her feet. Gideon!
Where-you said Tomorrow in your
message! Who told you | was here?'
mo one. l can always find you,
Stella. Something tells me. The in
stant | opened the door | knew you
were here. A kind OF fragrance
could tell it"
Don't Gideon" she interrupted.
She was looking for matches, but his
alert sense caught the aversion in tone
and movement.
Your father once told me that a
Pima princess was my greatgrand-
mother. | cannot escape my heritage
from her" He took the match she had
struck and lighted the hanging lamp.
The flame shone full on his upturned
face, and Stella gazed at him fas
cinated, while he adjusted wick and
shade. He seemed to her excited gaze
the concentrated beat and pulse of a
hundred lives controlled by the master
will that spoke through his burning
eyes. Often she wondered about his
power over her. wondered why Gid
con away, was so small a part of her
life; yet near, so masterful, monopoliz-
ing In the pause while he attended to
the lamp this question rose again;
and was still unanswered.
He turned to meet her mute scru-
tiny His eyes were deep and tender
his voice wooing. You're glad to
see me, aren't you, sweet Starr" He
threw his arm about her waist with
motion both swift and gentle, as
might be a panther mothers, and
kissed her on the forehead.
Don't Gideon!" Stella cried
breathless, struggling unavailingly, yet
not quite sorry that his arm did not
yield. Always with Gideon present
came the memory of their comradship
a comforting sense of his strength, a
desire to lean upon him. If he would
only be content with brotherliness!
"Moppett, why do you push me
away? It's so long since ! saw you,
If ! were your brother by blood as !
am by rearing, you'd take my kiss, and
kiss me back. Isn't the tie almost a.
ciose We've peen so much more to
each other than ordinary brother and
sister" He dropped his arm and
stepped back; and the consideration,
the gentleness and regret in his tone
subdued Stella with quick contrition.
"oh, Gideon, l don't mean to be
cold, unllind; but I'm afraid of-of
what | see in your eyes"
He looked long into her face. Dear
little girl" he said at length; and the
adjective did not seem uniting when
he stood near her. Don't be afraid
OF me, Stella. | love you, and / want
your love in return, not your fear"
But | can't help ii, Gideon. You
would compel me, hurt me. Does true
love ever hurt?"
Does a mother love her child when
she gives 1t into the surgeons hands?"
Stella would not see his meaning.
THAT doesn't apply to us"
1T does, Stella" He went to her
again, standing close, and looking
down unon her tandarlv ''TUa come