Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.
"Tis But Thy Name That Is My

Alfred, did not leave the dining
room, but seated himself in the
screened niche that had hidden the
water cooler from the general gaze.
He was glad to be out of the light,
even the mild light of sputtering can
dies. He wished to think, to live over
again some of the moments of the
night. But the hustle of belated dan
GERS and Sally BIS hasty orders for his
supper annoyed him, till Stella's voice
was added to the hubbub, and he
found himself straining to catch her
every word.
It's most ready, Stella,'' he heard
Sally B. say as a soft step came
nearer. "Everybody's gone, and
look out fur yer silk trail! I've set a
table in among them green's where you
an him play-acted; but the screens
in front SOS nobody can see in the
winder.''
How dear you arei" he heard Stel-
la reply.
HUH It's Vic that's dear. You bet
AL Vincent's the only feller Yic'd
make kitchen fire for at three in the
mornin'. Yic's stuck on Al; says he's
all samee red button Chinaman.'
Stella made a light movement be-
fore she spoke again. "Oh, what nice
things to eat, and linen napkins, hem
stitched. And china! Where did you
find it al1?"
"Oh, them's some bits of high life
I've KEEP hid fur spell. You kin
make the tea soon's the water biles;
an take in the tray. I'm dead tired.
Goodnight
"Oh, Mrs. Sally, you're going to
stay, too, aren't you?"
'fLawsy, You don't want me. An
1 want 40 winks fore sunup.'
Alfred blessed her understanding
heart.
You're so good to me- Stella said,
and the swish of her silken skirt as
she crossed to Sally B. reached AL
fred's ear.
"Shucks! Good for nuthin'! 1 ben
young myself oncet.''
An instance of silence followed, an
audible kiss and Sally B. tramped out
of the room by a side door, while
Stella descended to the kitchen.
Alfred was grateful for the still
ness, glad that, for the moment, even
Stella was unaware of his nearness.
He would not speak till there was no
danger of interruption.
lights save the one in the screened
corner of the stage. Alfred heard him
leave the room and pass through the
kitchen, giving Stella an elaborate
goodnight before he shut and locked
the outer door.
With the grating of the key and the
assurance of no further intruding, AL
fred slipped from the actual, the scr
did into the IOye-land his ROmeO's
dress recalled. The darkness was well
come. Not even yet would he call
Stella. For a moment he would dream.
No need of lamp or candle; the re-
sp1endence of his visions illumfned
him. The song in his heart throbbed
melodiously on, it seemed for hours;
yet it was only minutes, and but few,
when the rustic of skirts and second
light appearing behind the screen
aroused him. The rustling went and
came again, and a faint tinkle OF
china struck his ear. Then he heard
his namei
Mr.. Vincent" softly; and after a
breath, hesitatingly, Romeo"
Alfred sprang out of his nook, but
did not speak. There she stood, above
him on the high stage, the light from
behind the screen fiaring sidewise
upon her; next him the cheek he had
longed to kiss in the play, but did
not A little pale she was now, yet
so fair and sweet, Her lips were apart,
her hand lifted as if to catch the
sound of his coming. How beautiful
she wasi How sweet and womanlyi
And in the lonely darkness how near
and intimate-his own his own!