Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-06-17


from! If Miss Anthony's name passes
your lips to any one, yoa'll get my
bullet! Vamoose,"
In his thirty-odd years of varied life
Phineas had beaten down many angry
eyes with his daredevil bravado; yet
the blaze of Gldeon's passion, boz
though he was, tied the sneering
tongue, cOnfoupded the bold eyes
Phineas turned away, speeches. till
he was safe out,;ide the copse. From
there he sent back last hot shot. Il
didn't know l WAS poaching on your
preserves, you Injun dandy. l re-
sign"
Gideon set his teeth. Body and
brain, heart and soul, rebelled against
his restraining will, yet he neither re-
piled nor followed. A fighter born,
Stella alone, and Stella in trouble. pre-
vented him from giving Phineas the
drubbing of his life Gideon waited
till the faint sound of footsteps pro-
claimed Phineas out of earshot before
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him.
Poor little Start" he said softly.
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of one of your tears
"Oh, l know it, Gideon; but I'm so
ashamed, so Inundated"
THE skunk Gidecn's hands
clenched till the knuckles were white.
Abruptly he turned to Stella, grasping
her arm with the hand that had rested
tentlerly on her shoulder A quick
flame leaped in his mystic eyes.
Stella! You shall no longer be ex-
posed to such insults! You must mar
ry me, soon-ncw! You must
Stella's face grew quickly grave.
mo, no, Gideon! l will never marry
any man for protection. I'd not dare
found home when I'm so unprepared
for its responsibilities. And-do you
wish me to be a barkeeper's wife,"
Gideon started, stung by the scorn
in her question, and released her arm
But I'll do something else. I'll learn
any business you say. l know l can
-for-for your sake l can"
Stella WINGED at the world of tender.
ness in his low words. That's. moi
done in minute; and meantime
Meantime" he interrupted excited
ly, hopefully, meantime we'll be en-
gagged. Well tell Sally B.-tell every
body; and whoever dares make yol
unhappy shall feel that" He held III
his doubled fist
Stella could not help feeling WON
ans gratitude for the comfort anG
protection Gideon's loyal courage
promised; yet she said nothing, look
ing down on the green breast of Ma
ture,, dumbly seeking some wise wore
from her bounty.
Gideon turned her eyes, still
wet, to his-"Gideon, dear, you'd want
your wife to love you, wouldn't your
But you do love me-you've always
loved me-" His words were confident
He faced her, caught up her hands
"Oh, little Star, don't you remember
that last night in the station? You put
out your hands to me and said: Gid
con, how can leave your"
Stella looked steadily at him, YET
did not speak. Gideon was silenceC
by some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes. She grew more and more
remote. He saw her slipping from
him. Though her hands were in his
her soul was saying farewell.
"Stella." he cried inperiously, "yea
know you love me; you can't deny it,
Yes, Gideon, love you. / woule
do anything in my power for you;
think-I think would risk my life fol-
you, as you've more than once riskeG
yours .of me. Yet-yet-'' Shs
paused, looked up and smiled at him
Drawing enc hand free she brushed
bit of lint from his sleeve, taking un
necessary time for it. She was feel
ing her way to safety, striving fo
mastery without scene Yet, Gid
con, / know there must be another
kind of love. the kind you have fol
me- You are older than am, dear.
recognize no change in my feeling for.
you. / guess I'm still child, ane
! you'll have to wait for me to grow up