Mower County transcript., 1908-02-26

piled nor followed. A fighter born,
Stella alone, and Stella In trouble, pre-
vented him from giving Phineas the
drubbing Of his life. Gideon waited
till the faint sound of footsteps pro-
claimed Phineas out of earshot before
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him.
"Poor little Start" he said softly
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of one of your tears"
"Oh, 1 know it, Gideon; but I'm so
ashamed, so humiliated."
"The skunk!" Gideons hands
l'clenched till the knuckles were white.
Abruptly he turned to Stella, grasping
her arm with the hand that had rested
tenderly on her shoulder. A quick
| flame leaped in his mystic eyes.
"Stella! You shall no longer be ex-
posed to such insults! You must mar
| ry me, soon-now! You must
Stella's face grew quickly grave.
mo, no, Gideon! 1 will never marry
| any man for protection. I'd not dare
found a home when I'm so unprepared
for it's responsibilities. And-do you
wish me to be barkeeper's wife?'
Gideon started, stung by the scorn
in her question, and released her arm.
'But I'll do something else. I'll learn
any business you say. know l can
--.for-for your sake can.'
Stella WINGED at the world of tender
ness in his low words. That's not
done in minute; and meantime
Meantime" he interrupted excited
ly, hopefully, meantime We'll be en-
gagged. Well tell Sally B.-tell every
body; and whoever dares make you
unhappy shall feel that" He held up
his doubled fist.
Stella could not help feeling a wom-
ans gratitude for the comfort and
protection Gideon's loyal courage
promised; yet she said nothing, look
| ing down on the green breast of Ma
ture, dumbly seeking some wise word
from her bounty.
"Gideon"-she turned ne. eyes, still
wet, to his Gideon, dear. you'd want
your wife to love you, wouldn't you?"
But you do love me-y0u've always
loved me-" His words were confident.
He faced her, caught up her hands.
"Oh, little Star, don't you remember
that last night in the station? You put
| out your hands to me and said: Cid
con, how can 1 leave your"
Stella looked steadily at him, yet
did not speak. Gideon was silenced
by some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes. She grew more and more
remote. He saw her slipping from
him. Though her hands were in his,
her soul was saying farewell.
"Stella!" he cried imperiously, "you
know you love me; you can't deny it. ."
"Yes, Gideon love you. 1 would
do anything in my power for you; I
think-I think would risk my life for
| you, as you've more than once risked
yours for me. Yet-yet-". She
paused, looked up and smiled at him.
| Drawing one hand free she brushed a
bit of lint from his sleeve, taking un-
necessary time for it. She was feel
ing her way to safety, striving for
mastery without scene. "Sct Gid.
con, I know there must be another
kind of love. the kind you have for
me. You are older than am, dear. ]
recognize no change in my feeling for
you. 1 guess I'm still child, and
you'll have to wait for me to grow up. u
He looked at her sharply, incredu
lously; did not give back her smile
You looked grown up enough when
you walked by with that white-faced
Vincent Tuesday. I hate
! Hush, Gideon! You shall not speak
so! He's done you no harm. Do you
think you can make me love you by
abusing other men?"
He turned away, but she saw his
dark face cloud to blackness, his
hands open and close, his fingers sci
deep into his palms. A vertical vein
in his forehead grew dark and full, q
sign she dreaded.
At last his angry eyes fixed hers
and he spoke sullenly. III it wasn't
for him you'd care for me. He has
stolen"
Stella interrupted him desperately
Gideon, listen!" She caught his arm
and he felt her tremble, though he1
look was fearless. Il know I shall
never love you as you should be-as ]
must love the man marry. You must
not expect-not hope for it. l know
what such love should be-know ]
would rather live alone all my life
and see the man loved pass once q
year on the street than marry any
other!"
Yes, that's right! But you'd want
to kill the woman who kept him from
you!"
mo, no, no! For she would be the
one he loved! Should wish to make
him unhappy"
He started as If struck. He dropped
his head dejectedly. Pity awoke as
danger seemed averted. Go back to
town, Gideon, please. I'm 80 sorry!
Im-you know I wouldn't willingly
hurt you, don't you? Please go!"
She stopped and lowered her lids
that he might not see the trembling