Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-09-02

/ 80
ram wouldn't do such scurvy trick. !"
alvin, you don't know, He has
tried to make me marry him.
Alvin reflected again. Suddenly his
face was Illuminated There's a way,
and it's sure-marry mel"
What? Alvin" She half rose,
angry that he could jest at such a
moment. But, no, his face was seri-
Gus. Yet it was too absurd, impos-
sible,
Not really, of course, but so far as
any one else knows. Elope with me to-
night"
His daring idea was suggestive OF an
other. mo, Alvin, not even to save
Alfred Vincent could l do that. Sui
eide is cowardly, yet I'd rather kill
myself than seem to be so tickle, to
betray dear little VIOLA
Miss Stella, don't speak of suicide!
And Viola'd know how it was, of
course. But there's other ways, if you
won't accept my offer" He smiled
boyishly in spite of the tragic moment
Yes, there's another way; I shall
disappear, just drop out of sight. And
you'll help me, won't you? This very
night?"
Yes. indeed. This night is the
only time I could do it, too. I'm to
work nights after this
Can you get me away secretly, AL
vim? Have you any plan?"
Yes, / can fix it. l know a man
hns fr;o
mouthed as a dumb one. I'll get his
team and start you on your way to
Sacramento, or to the Bay, as you
think best. I'd say San Francisco; it's
| bigger, you can hide safer there
Yes. that will be better. But you,
| Alvin"
"Oh, don't worry about me. III be
back here before daylight, and take
the train tomorrow. Every one knows
I'm to go to Sacramento"
Stella was silent
Got any money!
Not much. My trip to Virginia took
most of it,"
well. don't fidget over that, I've
a couple Of hundred l can lend you
as well as not; and you can take your
| time to pay. No matter if it's never.
And maybe Sally B. can think up a
better trick for YOU
20, Alvin, you're so good! Thank
She could not trust her voice, yet after
| struggle went on. I'm sure, Alvin,
we've thought Of the only way. But
we will tell What time must we
start?"
Not later than midnight You bet
| ter get everything fixed before ten,
and let the house get plumb dark an
| hour or so before
Very we'll I'll have my letter writ
ten in half-hour. Will you come for
it and mail it at once?"
He nodded.
And Alvin, will you stay here while
l talk it all over with Sally B.? l
! want no misunderstanding of what we
are to do
Alvin assented and she left him.
| There was no hesitation now. A
strange calmness pervaded her. With
out hesitancy or revising she wrote
the words that were to separate her
from her past, that were to bind her
to life of lonely hiding
Not to save any mans life, or even
my own" she wrote, will | marry
Gideon Ingram. This much l promise,
| however. l will leave this place
! and all who >know me. 1 will
hide so securely that it will be
useless for any one to seek me.
And will never meet Alfred Vim
cent, communicate with him, or re-
ceive communication from him until
Gideon Ingram himself gives permits
sion.'
| She signed the letter, directed and
sealed the envelope and went down.
stairs.
you pore little critter!" Sally B..
| cried, flying to her with open arms as
she entered. "AIs told me the hull
blamed layout! Blast that burned
Injun!" She felt Stella tremble in her
arms. Don't be afeard, honey! You've
got friends. Men Billll stand by We.
You've struck the only thing to do, I
reckon"
Stella stood erect and was silent.
The others watched her without speak
ing, waiting on her mood. At last she
faced them.
This step changes ali my life.
Please tell Uncle Billy the-the best
! thing you can think of, Mrs. Sally"
Stella said, the words coming slowly,
as if she were thinking out her plan
as she went. From this time shall
be Esther Anthony. Only you, Mrs.
Sally, shall know where am. or what
I'm doing. Uncle Billy and Alvin
you're SO good, Alvin-they can know
of me through you. Will you keep my
secret, Sally Bernard, sacredly?"
Its thunderin' noble, this thing
that yo're goin' to do, Stella; an I'll
promise, an keep my mouth shet o. K.
If you likewise promise to always let
me know where yo're a-hanging out.