The Irish standard., 1908-05-09

mons mighty small; but such as it is.
it is decided to you, child. | haven't
any kin of my own, that is, none that's
as neah to me as you are, honey. I
fixed the papehs in Auburn yestehday."
For an instant Stella did not com.
prehend. She looked questioningly
into his face and he smiled back at
her. waiting for her to speak. Then it
broke suddenly will! All a young
hearts dread Of death came into her
eyes. Uncle Billy dead! And she
profiting by it? 1t could not be. He
surely would live long years still. She
could not spare him!
The precipient sorrow, the generous
deed, broke down Stella's defenses.
and tears flowed uncontrolled while
she haltingly told her gratitude Uncle
Billy had barely dried her eyes when
Sally BIS step sounded in the hall.
I'm in heah, Sally b. he called,
"and all ready" Before she could turn
back from the stairs and enter he
drew Stella to him and kissed her.
Don't forget my luck posy, honey" he
whispered, as Sally B. opened the
door, And in that instant SteIla's ewes
were opened.
Ten minutes later the coaches,
Uncle Billys leading, lined up beside
the thronged sidewalk. Some passen.
gers stood near the second coach.
Only privileged few coming on the
train would go with Uncle Billy.
Stella, rose in her hand, stood
with others near the stage Office
door. "Is Mr.. Ingram going with
Uncle Billy or in the other coach?'
she asked the clerk, as he returned to
his post from some errand.
Ingram? He left town hours ago.
Took Balls best horse, Mig. Told Ball
If he broke the nag's wind he'd pay
any figure Ball.
Stella did not wait to hear him
through. Book me for Virginia
City," she cried. In Uncle Billy's
coach"
"You can't" he began.
A whistle shrilled through the dark.
ness.
Yes! yes! Ill make him let mel"
she painted, and was gone.
A deep rumble shook the town. The
Governor Stanford" raced into the
station. Flying figures caught up mail
and treasure and ran with them to the
waiting coach. Passengers. their linen
busters floating back on the night
breeze. hurried after, gulping Sally
BIS scalding coffee on the run and
snatching her neatly packed hot
lunches.
Stella, fastening her cloak and car.
rying a small valise in the ether hand,
came flying out of the hotel door. She
pressed her scant golden horde into
the booking clerks hand as she
passed. Give the change to Mrs.
Sally she said through set teeth, and
ran around in the street to the oppo.
site side of the stage. Please help me
up, sir" she called softly to the pas.
senger on the box. I've booked, and
I'm to have the seat next you"
The man moved, intending to step
down and help her up; but the
hostlers cried: Cali ready"
mo, no! There isn't time," Stella
called frantically as she heard Uncle
Billy answer the hostlers. Reach
me your hand!" she implored, her foot
on the forward hub.
The passenger obeyed, and she was
seated, the luck rose" safe between
her teeth, when Uncle Billy sprang up,
crying LET 'em gO!" His face was f,,l1
OF disappointment in spite of the jovial
replies he flung back to the torrent of
good wishes from the bystanders. AS
he swiftly gathered the lines he caught
sight of Stella.
Good Lord! You CANT go, honey!"
II must! You'll"
The hostlers loosed their hold with
a yell and the horses sprang out. With
wild cheers behind them they plunged
into the black night. The race was
again on.