Mexico Missouri message., 1908-10-08
CHAPTER xxx.
The Message Of the Dancing Girl 10
Esther.

To Esther. restless, unoccupied,
came Sally BIS urgent invitation TO
visit her az Toano. Esther accepted
II at once, deciding not to wait for
the Harmons. Business had delayed
the Judge. and now fear of smallpox
for his wife. A pltted face testified
his own immunity. But Esther had no
fear OF the disease; Toano was free
from the scourge; and the breath OF
the wide. free desert breezing from
Sally BIS letter reused the wings OF
Esther's spirit.
She timed her going to catch Uncle
Billy's train out from Winnemucca.
Through all the years she had written
him at intervals. sending her letters
at first through Sally B.
She wished to surprise him. He was
therefore quite unprepared for the tall.
elegant young woman who waited i'm.
patiently at the rear end OF the car
to greet him. She saw him glance to
ward her as soon as he entered, and
her heart leaped. But he came calmly
on. from passenger to passenger, stop.
ping here and there for question OF
direction. He looked her way inquir.
ingly once or twice. but blankly.
When he was yet few seats away,
recognition came. He sprang to her.
his face transhgurcd. Thought OF
stranger eyes. of Official dignity, fed.
He caught her hands In his own.
Honey! Stella!" he cried softly as
he kissed her on the cheek. the years
hunger for her shining in his misty
eyes. Where undeh the canopy did
you come from. honey?"
She smiled her Joy. but said no
word.
He still held her hands, her rings
cutting under the pressure neither
marked till later. his eyes searching
her glowing face. Her mask had
dropped: her soul was open TO him.
He made her as comfortable as pos.
sible in the rough car that did duty as
sleeper. coach, parlor and emigrant
car all in one. When the meager bust.
ness after leaving each infrequent sta,
ton was dispatched he came to her
again; and the long day was not half
time enough for the tale Of Esther's
eventful life. every detail questioned
and appreciated by her rapt listener.
Esther opened her eyes the next
morning upon a strange life. new. yet
old The Wizard Desert wrapped her
again with the mantle Of his enchant.
ment As OF old. the hills walked out
OF their spaces to meet her. She was
back In her own world. back to Sally
BIS loving arms, to Uncle Billy's ten
| der solicitude.
Are you happy, Mrs. Sally?" Esther
asked, following her from one to an
other OF the rough rooms. as the mis-
tress deity touched each chaotic spot
| to order.
Lord love ye. child! didn't know
how powerful pestered l was there In
Oakland an the city till / got back
here where l b1ong There's folks OF
course that's made for totln' society'i
pack; some of ems soft. squRshy crit
ters. an some OF ems plumb good like
Freddy Bryan: but the plains. an
work. an men with blood in 'em, an
freedom-that's what / was born to;
an It's what I'm ft fur" She wal
tearing an unspeakable bed to pieces
With merciless scrutiny. Gosh! The
way a man runs q hotel without NJ
woman In 'nough to make skunl
slckl"
Esther marveled az Sally BIS rever
sion. Nothing OF her violent effort a
culture remained; and her old speech
and manner seemed eoubly vigoroul
for the long rest.
'If only Bill wRs--waE right pear
agin--" Sally b. began, but stoppe'
abruptly and shook q pillow danger
ously near TO its undolng.
did you hear about Blowhard Cad?
she asked little later.
Il overheard his name In the CO
yesterday. but learned nothing den
mite"
Hes arrested for stealing from In
company"