The Huttig news., 1908-03-07

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 silent companion in
the quick walk.
Viola, glaneing 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 smile 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 little of
the record of Alfred's experiences; of
his different and engrossing cares
periences surrounding her had created
an incomprehensible atmosphere
through which she saw Alfred as
through VEIL different Alfred.
He felt her diffidence 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 masuue.
clasping hands yet sundered by
domino.
They came down the path to town
and mounted the high, uneven side
walk Uncle Billy had Just dashed
up to the express office, the curvetting
siy 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 Billy's hearty
urging.
Get outside of yo' dinneh at a 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
mo; it's not good bye Alfred said,
though he took her hand. Il shall stay
over, shall see you to-night-and-''
Hello, Vincent! You're the very
man | wanted to see. Had your din
ner?" Superintendent Croker breezed
out of the dining room, his eyes giving
sincere admiration to Stella, his voice
q hearty welcome to Alfred.
NO sir, Alfred answered hesitat-
ingly Z"
Eat quick, then, Billy Dodge don't
erwise. The greatest luck this | ex
pected dull trip over-always ex-
cepting the driver" He waved
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 well, Mr. Croker; I'll be with
you in minute.
He turned to Stella. There was
something in her unguarded face that
set his every nerve atingle; that
elated yet maddened him. Still, he
must hold himself in check, must not
lose a second; most of all, he must
not let her know what he had learned.
Yes, 1t must be goodbye, after all,
you see,' he said tensely. "I'll be back
soon; We'll have a talk them
He made a snatch at dinner for
looks sake, and mounted beside the
superintendent; while onlookers
passed bets as to whether Alfred was
company employee or big bug with
pocketbook Charley Croker was
trying to hook"
And Stella behind the window cur
tain with blurriug eyes watched the
stage whirl away into the dark pines.