The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-04-30

| fore her door, hut yanquished by
thought OF the desolation within, she
dropped the key in her pocket and
began walking the narrow hall. darker,
emptier than her room but open at
either end to human approach. Here
the hall boy found her, bringing a
message from Uncle Billy to meet him
, in the parlor.
Stella thought OF It little resentful.
ly as she hurried on, recalling the in
hospitable occupants. But they were
gone; and at sight of Uncle Billy's
CHEEKY face she forgot they had ever
been.
He came to her with outstretched
hands "As | told you honey, Vim.
cents o. X. He's"
"Here?" she interrupted impetu.
ously.
"Nu; he didn't come through, honey.
Blodgett, the driver, said he got off at
Carson. Cadwalladeh met him; they
seemed to have business togetheh.'
OH" The long-drawn exclamation
was all of Stella's reply; and he hoped
she would ask no questions.
You must shut those sweet peepehs
of yo's sharp afteh suppeh; get right
smart OF sleep tonight, TO you must
start home early in the mawning"
"Gideon-where do you suppose he
is. Uncle Billy"
He had dreaded the words. Honey,
why do you pesteh yoself about Gid
con? If Vincents doing business with
anotheh man, both of them C. p. fell
lows, how can Gideon get in any devil
try?"
Stella was not reassured. But,
Uncle Billy, Phineas Cadwallader's no
protection; he hates Alfred. And why
didn't we see Gideon on the way? He
must have come in ahead of us-must
be here now, and If l could only get
word from Alfred!"
Shall | telegraph for you?"
She shrank back "Oh, no. He
wouldn't wish me to send him mes
sages over the wires
'I'll fix that. He won't know yo're
heah."
THAT will be good thank you. I'm
such a trouble to you, Uncle Billy!
And my trip has been quite useless,
she added YEARLY.
Not useless, honey. You brought
me luck-won the race for US"
She smiled Il hope I'll bring you
more luck. I'll go home with you to-
morrow"
That's right, child. Goodbye till
mawning. Have sweet dreams
"Goodbye?" she echoed wondering
ly. Aren't you going to stay here
tonight? Take me in to supper"
He WINGED before her steady eyes,
and lied heroically. 81 have heap to
do befo' I'll be ready for the trip
home; and | won't have time to see
you again. Eat good suppeh, child,
won't you? Have you money to pay
for it?"
Not a two-bit piece, Uncle Billy.
You pay for me, won't you? And book
me, too? I'll have it for you when we
get home"
She was surprised by his silence and
nervousness. He opened his purse
quickly, and forced some money upon
her, his embarrassment increasing as
he looked furtiyely through each open
door while pressing her hand shut
over the coin. Take that" he whis-
pered. You must pay yo' own bills, and
book yo'self, honey. Don't ask me
why" ne added as she opened her lips
to speak.
Instantly he was gone, leaving her
to puzzle out the matter for herself. |
But the need for assembling her re.
lations with Uncle Billy. whom she
had known longer than any one living
save Gideon, did not dawn upon her.
Supper alone was less an ordeal
than she had expected. On her return
to her room she met the hall boy and
ordered pen and paper. She had bare
ly seated herself to write when dis
patch interrupted her; it was ad-
dressed TO William Dodge, and was
from Alfred at Carson City. Am de- |
tanned here. Will be in Colfax on the |
In the reaction of relief she wrote |
short. almost happy letter to Alfred, |
sending it to post by the hall boy. The |
next day they faced homeward. No |
other passenger shared the box seat |
with Stella; and leisurely, "a little shy |
ly, she told Uncle Billy of her plans for |
school, and received his advice, heart |
felt if not always wise.
AT Dutch Flat she stopped to visit
an acquaintance, timing her home
going for Uncle Billy's next trip. hop
ing vainly that Alfred would be with |
him. 1t was indeed homecoming. |
Days only she had been away; they |
seemed weeks. Sally b., Viola, Vic
Wah, even the dog. greeted her over
Suddenly she realized
with a heart,wrench her leaving it
would be.
Here's a letter for you" Sally B.
said. when Stella was at last free 1T
came yesterday"
She took it, but paled with quick
ear when she saw the strange hand
writing. She hastened to her room
There was neither date, address, nor
signature; but the message was cruel.
stella Anthony: Alfred Vincent's
ife is in your hands. Send to the ad.
iress below within one week after
october 80 your written word that
'ou will marry Gideon Ingram, and
Vincent shall go free Refuse 10 do
mis- and he shall die. Return this let.
er with your answer, or i. will not
wall