Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-11-05
CHAPTER XXI.
A Heart fer a Life.

In the depressing loneliness of a
strange hotel Stella's fears returned,
multiplied by the hours they had
rested. Impatiently she paced the
small room. She had no watch to
count the minutes. But that the sun
still shone on the mountain above her,
she would have declared it already
night.
Where was Uncle Billy? Why hadn't
he come to take her to dinner?
Innocent Stella! She knew nothing
of Mrs. Grundy's code; suspected no
whit of the reason for Uncle Billy's
~aloofness. In Colfax, under Sally BIS
powerful wing, where Uncle Billy was
known and approved, no one would
have dared a breath against her. But
it was very different in this feverish
city. Good women were few. Honest
men, toiling for loved ones away,
jostled the blackleg, the gambler, the
man of many aliases; and %petticoated
vice preyed upon its authors, and
sorely beset clean hearts as well. A
beautiful friendless girl must indeed
be hedged by angels if she were to run
safely the gantlet of this 'wickedest
city in the world"
She left her room and wandered
about in search of the parlor; came
upon it at last-small, stuffy and
possessed by several overdressed, be-
diamonded women, who stared at her
brazenly and openly commented on
her. AS from a pe~stilence, she fed to
her own corridor again, hesitating be-
fore her door. But vanquished by
thought OF the desolation within, she
dropped the key in her pocket and
began walking the narrow hall, darker,
emptier than her room, but open at
either end to human approach. Here
the hall boy found her, bringing a
message from Uncle Billy to meet him
in the parlor.
Stella thought Of it a little resentful-
ly as she hurried on, recalling the in
hospitable occupants. But they were
gone; and at sight of Uncle Billy's
CHEEKY face she forgot they had ever
been.
He came to her with outstretched
hands. "As l told you, honey, Vim
cents o. K. He's"
"Here? she interrupted impetu-
ously.
mo; he didn't come through, honey.
49,. 4. ~ a. - A -. #L &c. -
Blodgett, the driver, said he got off at
carson. Cadwalladeh met him; they
seemed to have business togetheh."
OH" The long-drawn exclamation
was all Of Stella's reply; and he hoped
she would ask no questions.
you must shut those sweet peepehs
OF yo's sharp afteh suppeh; get right
smart Of sleep tonight, To- you must
start home early in the mawning."
"Gideon-where do you suppose he
is, Uncle Billy?"
He had dreaded the words. Honey,
why do you pesteh yo'self about Cid
con? If Vincent's doing business with
anotheh man, both of them G. p. fell
lows, how can Gideon get in any devil
try?"
Stella was not treasured. "But,
Uncle Billy, Phineas Cadwallader's no
protection; he hates Alfred. And why
didn't we see Gideon on the way? He
must have come in ahead of us-must
be here now, and II | could only get
word from Aired"
Shall telegraph for you?"
She shrank back. "Oh, no. He
wouldn't wish me to send him mes
sages owe the wires"
I'll fix that. He won't know yo're
heah."
THAT will be good; thank you. I'm
such a trouble to you, Uncle Billy!
And my trip has been quite useless
she added YEARLY.
mot useless, honey. You brought
me luck--won the race for u.s.
She smiled. Il hope Ill bring you