The Irish standard., 1908-03-28
CHAPTER VIII.
The ClovAn Ena<

pany has been organized with ten mil.
lions Of capital behind it; and ten mil.
lions more 1t will get from the govern
ment. besides whopping big land
grant. The road goes by Placerville.
1t has staked out the backing of the
baby state Of Nevada. and already be-
gun business. Oh. We fellows amt
asleep over Placerville way. you bet
not! Well make those c. P. slubber.
degullions cough up their bootheels
YETI"
His loud words carried to all and
silenced the room for a pregnant In
slant. Even the clatter OF iron cut
lery was suspended. When a subdued
hum did begin, dismay was in each
face and voice. The success Of this
new scheme meant failure for the Cen
trail Pacific company; and in that To-
cality the Central Pacific railroad was
mother to every enterprise, bread to
every mouth.
AS soon as she could. Stella wrote
hastily to Alfred. telling him Of the
coming Of Phineas and his astounding
news. She asked Sally B. to hand the
letter to the driver as special COM
mission and set out through the back
door for walk before lesson time,
hoping to recover tranquility.
She took the little path skirting a
winter rivulet back Of the town, and
came soon to a clump of pines little
way up the sunny hillside. She was
quite in view from the short street
until hidden by thicket OF laurel
and holly hugging close about the
taller pines. Though a scant half
mile from the hotel the small nook
was away from all paths and had
proved safe retreat.
To-day Stella's grateful solitude was
short-lived Quick steps had followed
hers: the twigs parted and Phineas
stood before her.
Stellas intuition was unerring, but
her caution was unframed. She did
not attempt to conceal her opinion of
him. "Mr Cadwallader!" she cried,
starting up. II thought you went
away by the stage"
Il didn't, you see. I'm here instead"
He bowed deferentially. How could
go without a word with you the belle
of the village? Won't. you sit down
again?" He waved his hand toward
the rock from which she had risen, but
kept his place near the entrance.
THANK you, Mr.. Cadwallader. Please
excuse ME; ] must hurry back" She
took step forward. but he did not
offer to give her egress.
What's your hurry. Miss Stella?
You are a lovely dryad here at your
shrine. and pretty girls, to say nothing
of dryads. are too few in my busy life.
You surely won't be so cruel as to
leave me without a word?"
His manner was as respectful as he
could make it. Still. Stella knew he
made conQuests merely to brag of
them. Its time for Miss Viola's les
sons, and must co." she said with de-
cision.
He did not move. "Vis lessons don't
begin till two; Sally 3. said 80. It's
1915 now; time enough for a little
talk, isn't there? I've something i'm
portant to say to you" Phineas gazed
At her boldly. expecting to see a flush
of apprehensive color sweep her face.
Her calmness only spurred him the
more.
stellas eyes wore fixed on the CD.
posite Interest, and she lifted her
hand thoughtlessly to her hair while
searching for an excuse to go that
would be effective. The motion freed
q handkerchief tucked in her belt, and
it fluttered to the ground unseen by
her.
Phineas furtively reached for 1t. ex-
amined it, noted the embroidered
Stella" in the corner and thrust It in
his pocket. Yes. look to your hair,
California Berenice: II is quite bril-
liant enough to make stars Of" he said
impressivcly.
"Mr Cadwallader, cannot accept
nor parry your extravagant compli-
ments as city girl would Surely you
can't he interested in the simple
things can say. Please let me CO."
Once again she moved as II to pass
him.
"A beautiful woman doesn't need to
say things to be interesting. You
haven't asked what 1t is l wished to
say"
Did you expect me to ask"
Most girls would. That's where
yon are the more attractive. Sit down
here and we'll talk it over. I'll make
yWl comfortable" He reached for
some of the overhanging boughs in.
tending to place them on the rock
seat The movement took him a pace
from the opening.
Really. Mr.. Cadwallader, I'm sure
you could tell me as we'll at the hotel.
Good afternoon" She started toward
the low. thorny opening.
He was after her with the spring OF
cat. mo, you don't. my beauty.
II you won't stay and talk, you shall
give me proper farewell"
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