Mexico Missouri message., 1908-09-24

Tell him I'm driving" she said TO
the maid. Ask him TO step to the
front door"
Esther drove around the house TO
find him standing. bareheaded, on the
graveled road. He was haggard and
thin. his shoulders stopped. his eyes
gloomy. His clothes were handsome
and well made; but they had a Dor.
rowed, misiitting look. that was pitt.
full TO Esther. He did not speak. but
stood waiting. slightly bent, only his
somber eyes pleading.
"will you drive with me, Gideon7'
she asked quietly.
Without a word he put on his hat
and stepped In beside her. tucking the
robe carefully about her Every move.
ment had a gentle depreciation foreign
to the Gideon she had known.
The team was FESTIVE. the streets
crowded; and she could do no more
than drive until a mile or more OF hills
had taken the nrst mettle out OF her
horses.
When they we're on the road. fol.
lowing the shlmmering bay shore
around Fort Point to the sea, the
plangent waves at their feet, the salt
air blowing clean upon them, the vast
fairness OF blue ocean sweeping away
petty thoughts, bringing eternal veri.
ties-there Gideon and Esther found
common meeting ground
Gideon freed her from her promise
and would have explained. but she OBJ
jected. IT'S past. Gideon. Alfred Is
safe. we'll. Let me forget what know,
hear no more" Her heart bounded,
yet was leaden again. Freedom had
come too late. Alfred no longer loved
her.
Yes. one thing would know. Did
Phineas Cadwallader have anything to
do with Alfred's-capture?"
NO"
What makes him hate Alfred.
them"
He hates him on more than one
score. Vincent knows some important
secret OF his, and Vincent has also
caught Cad in one or two tricks
against the company. Cabs afraid he'll
be reported. Besides all this. Cad was
the last man seen with Vincent before
he disappeared; and II the case is ever
investigated Cad1l have hard work to
clear himself"
Were you? Did any one find out
-? Why were you not arrested"
There was not a scrap OF evidence
against me. My alibi was perfect"
Esther was long silent. Gideon
looked out to sea. and waited.
Have you told any one?" she asked
finally. "You--you had the thing done.
II you didn't do it yourself. didn't
you?"
Yes. And 1--we told no one-must
not"
Must not?" she questioned wonder.
ingly. She knew he did not lack
courage.
Drag you into such a foul compli.
cRtion-the trial, your hearts secrets
exposed. prison! To be sure, didn't
think OF that three years ago. Now
you are my cousin-my name yours"
But justice" she began. as he
halted. Ought respect for a name to
stand in the way of that?"
I've thought OF that. But Vincent
is free, as we'll In health as ever: no
trouble or disgrace attaches; and he's
better OF in pocket than II he had
not suffered from me, for I've been
able to throw q thing or two his way.
There are the lost years. and-and
you. Do you think at this late day It
would please him II dragged your
name before the public? Wouldn't
that rather distress him."
"On account OF his own name, per.
haps; he cares nothing for mine" She
was thinking OF Amabers face as she
had waltzed by her the night before,
looking into Alfred's eyes.
"Of course! l knew that always"
Gideon said DULY, and gaEed seward.
On the veranda OF the old Clin house
they stopped as does the tourist of to-
day to watch the endless flip-hop Of
wet, glistening seals clambering the
gray rocks only to drop into the sea
again. The same brilliant. limitless
panorama unfolded westward then as
to-day-beetling cliffs. the sapphire
sky. white. fantastic clouds. twin green
prOmontories guarding the Golden
Gate, the misty. enchanted Farallones.
the eternal roar of the surf But ma
ture then was all unsubdued.
They fingered a little, both silent,
Gideon nearer content than for years.
Where have you been this long.
long time. Gideon7" Esther asked on
their way back to the city.
MANY places. Twice I went to
Poughkeepsle. saw you. though you
didn't know II; saw that you we're well
and happy"
"Gideonl" Esther exclaimed. aston.
ished.
I've gridironed Nevada and Utah
deserts looking for gold. and for wagon
routes; and have found both. The last
few months I've spent between San
Francisco and the ranch. I've seen
you often. Stella" He looked at her