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


Sally B. saw lis disappointment,
and came quickly to his rescue. GO
with my Viola here; she'll show We.
You can make the house across the
gulch in Is minutes. Mr.. Sacket was
killed by a blast the other day, you
know, an Stella's ben with the wilder
sence. But viii stay with her, an
you'n Stella can talk heap in half
hour. Walk this way, an slow; an
yell still have a quarter-hour fur yer
dinner fore the stage leaves. Billy
Dodge pulls out today; he'll give We
an extra minute or two"
Alfred flushed at Sally BIS loud
plans. He had found instant favor in
her eyes. His obvious superiority
to the men that swarmed, I'M
welcome, about Stella at every op-
portunity, decided Sally B. to aid him
with Stella. The sooner they settled
things the better it would be for her.
But she had no conception of the
complexities of Alfred's nature and
rearing. She could not have compre-
hended, had he explained it, his senti-
ment for Stella, did not dream of the
cause of his flush OF annoyance as he
left her-an annoyance that lasted
and made him a silent companion in
the quick walk.
Viola, glancing shyly at his angry
eyes, registered against him a con-
clusion he might have needed to
reckon with had not the vision of Stel-
la in the doorway banished gloom and
evoked a emile that the child was
quite old enough to read and glory in
Breathless, Viola explained her COM
ing with such bald candor that Stella
went forth dumb with embarrassment.
She had lived hard the past few
weeks; Alfred realized it at once. But
now she was tongue-tied. The con-
straint born of separation was upon
her. Intuition read to her a little of
the record of Alfred's experiences; of
his different and engrossing cares
Also, the impact of lives and ex-
periences surrounding her had created
an incomprehensible atmosphere
through which she saw Alfred as
through veil, a different Alfred
He felt her difidence and construed
it as kind Indifference. She did not
love him; she wished him to recognize
the absurd situation Viola had thrust
upon them, yet she was too gentle to
hurt him with speech.
And thus the fleet minutes waned
while these two dumbly sought each
other, like lovers at a bal masque.
clasping hands yet sundered by a.
domino.
They came down the path to town
and mounted the high, unevea side
walk. Uncle Billy had just dashed
up to the express Office, the curvetting
six under the spur of his mysterious
skill still showing off proudly to the
admiring bystanders. Gideon was in
the barroom doorway, his glowering
eyes fixed on the approaching pair.
Alfred discerned the hate in Gideon's
surly greeting, saw the loutish leers
and nudges of the loungers, Stella's
burning cheeks; he even mistook the
satisfaction in Uncle Billys hearty
urging.
Get outside of yo' dinneh at two
forty gait, Vincent The Overland
CANT wait, and Uncle Billy CANT miss
yo' company. Sabe?"
AT the dining room door Stella
paused and held out her hand.
No; it's not goodbye" Alfred said,
though he took her hand Il shall stay
over, shall see you to-night-and-"
Hello, Vincent! You're the very
man 1 wanted to see. Had your din
ner?" Superintendent Croker breezed
out of the dining room, his eyes giving
sincere admiration to Stella, his voice
hearty welcome to Alfred.
mo. sir" Alfred answered hesitat.
ingly. q"
Eat quick, then. Billy Dodge don't
wait for passengers, important or 9th
erwise. The greatest luck this. 1 ex
pected d dull trip over-always ex
cepting the driver" He waved a
smiling apology to Uncle Billy and
climbed to the seat beside him.
Alfred felt his body grow leaden
and he startled Stella with his strained
voice.
Very we'll. Mr.. Croker; III be with
you in minute.
+ He. turned to Stella. There was
something in her unguarded face tha
J set his every nerve atingle; tha