The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-05-21
= Thousht You Went By the stage"

from. II Miss Anshony's name passes
your lips % any one. youu get my
bullet, VamDose.
10 his thirUodd years OF varied life
Phiness had beaten down nan angry
eyes with his daredevil brayado: vet
the blaze Of Gldeon's passion boy
though be was. tied the sneering
tongue. eonfourded the bold eyes
Phineas turned away, s-peechless TN
he was safe uut.ide the copse. From
there be sent base a last hot shot j
didn't know ] was poachlng on your
preserves. you IlJun dandy. / re-
sign.
Gideon SCI his teeth. Body and
brain. heart and so9l. rebelled against
his restraining win, yeg he neither re
Piled nor followed A fighter born.
Stella alone. and Stella IL .=c=s.c, pre-
vented him from giving Phlnaas the
drubhing OF his life. Gideon waited
ull the faint sound OF f-ootsteps pro
claimed Phlneas out Of earshot before
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned 10 the strained face beside him.
Poor little STAR, be said softly.
Don't CRY. Noppetti He isn't worth
o quarter Of one Of your tears.
Oh. J know IT, Gideon: but In 50
ashamed. 90 Inundated
The skunkt Cldeon's hands
clonched TN the knuckles we've white.
Abruptly De turned 20 Stella. graspiag
her arm with the band that had rested
tenderly on her shoulder. A quick
fame ieaped in his mystic eyes.
stella. You shan no longer be ex-
posed 20 such insults. You must mar
- me. soon-noWi You must
stella's face grew quickly grave.
no. no. Gideonl viii never marry
any man for protection. I'd not dare
found a home when I'm 20 unprepared
for It's responsibilities And-do you
wish me 10 be- a h~arkecpers wife
Gideon started. stung BY the soorn
in her question. and released her arm
"But IN do something else. Il learn
ANY business you say. ! know I can
-for-for your sake I an.
Stella WINGED al the world Of tender.
ness ln HIS low words That's NOT
done Ia a minute snd meantime
Meantime be Interrupted excited.
~. hopefully, meantime ven D. 90.
Gagged. Wen tell SALLY B-ieH every
body. and whoever dares make yea
unhappy shall feel thati" he held up
his doubled FIST
Stella could not hoip feeling a VEN
ans gratitude FOR abe comfort ana
protection Gideon's loyal courage
promised yet she said nothing look
ms dowa on me green breast OF Ma
tune. dumbiy seeking some wise word
from her bounty.
Gideon -sho turned her eyes suil
wot 10 hls-~Oideon dear. yoa'd want
your wife 90 love you. wouldat yous
"hut sou DO love me-you'ye always
loved me His words were ~conadont
He faced her, caught up her hands
"oh. little Star don't you remember
that last night la the stauopf xou pug
out your hands 90 me and said; Cid
eon, hoW can 1 leave yuug
Stella looked steadily al him. yet'
dld not spoak, Gideon was slenoed
hy some strange uhing that appeared
err tAA NfN"r ENN HANn AaNAN M.M NtHNN I
remote He saw her slipping irom
him Though her hands were h his
her soui eas saying farewell
"Stellal De cried impelousiy. gua
know o love me. yoa cant deay IN
"Yos Gideon, / love sou I ueaid
60 anything ia my RoWcr Ter youi II
th.nk-I think would risk mY lifo Tor
yon IS you've more than onca n5R8d
gours Cor me Yet-yei- she
paused iookei az ana smiled az him
Drawing b hand free she brushed e
hit OF aai from his Sleeve lakiRg IA.
necessary time ior h. Sbe vas icet
ms Der way ta safety sirlsias t9s
mastery without q N2ae Yea 0l8
I know there mDst - anoihes
tind 81 love the kint lou hase CO..
me Nca ARE older than ! an. dear nj
recognile 30 chaaEe ~ nay fct,laE ics
yoa I guess fm sllii d chn3 ana
ycan have b Naif Scr - a. erau az
.W. aA U....n.. "