Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1908-05-16

valley where the summer road lay
twice a coach's length beneath the
winter snow road-Stella trembled
with fear and prayed that Uncle
Billy's passengers might be men OF
courage and strength, young men.
Poor Uncle Billy! He was so old!
Fifty, forty-even the prime of life
is old age to youth so lately embarked
on the souls voyage.
Stella turned from the dark land,
scape to read again Gideon's letter
that had come the day before, an
other perturbing portent.
1t was dated at Virginia City. For.
tune has been good to mo, sweet
Star" he wrote; so good that l pour
libations to her shrine and trust her
to give me in due time the one great
gift that is all of life for me.
I'm glad l dared fate. Such in.
credible luck I've had! l was pros.
pecting in the gorge just above your
fathers old, worked-out mine, and in
dilapidated cabin-built since we
left ere, It was--I found a cigar box
withsa lot Of bullion in It, 1t must
have been years there; for 1t was half
covered with pine needles fallen
through hole in the roof.
Il came to this city, sold the stuff,
bought stocks, sold them, bought
again, and have now $4,000 good
money in the bank, besides more that
I've saved and my stock. That five
thousand shall not be touched 1t is
to found a home, our homel I'm
studying men. I'm trying to learn the
things you'd have me know, and dc
something that you won't be ashamed
of. l think 1t will be teaming. There
are couple of outfits here that go at
sheriff's sale tomorrow. If | can get
them cheap enough, and trusty men,
I'll buy, and lease other teams.
"And soon I'm coming to you-when
I'm used to my cane; and my clothes
and are older friends; and when I've
picked up few more points on stocks
and men.
There's some secret on foot. Cad.
wallader has been here for week or
two. He was blowing harder than
ever when he left two days ago; said
Virginia was doomed, mines worked
out, and a lot more. That means
in the wind. | look for a
strike somewhere-the announcement
Of it, rather. 1t has already happened,
I'm sure; but the owners are keeping
lark till they can buy in all the stock
1t bedrock figures.
Goodnight, little Star! These long
weeks have been years to me. When
come you'll see a different Gideon
he same heart, though-and you'll
hink me better than the old Gideon,
'our lover always"
1t was his first mans letter to Stel.
a. She marveled at his fiuency, yet
ecalled their childish game of post.
ffice and his smoothly worded though
nk-blotted epistles.
Who was Gideon? Many times she
lad asked this question of him, once
t her father. He told her that Gideon
vas a waif, and babe her think Of
omething else.
She started from the window with
udden, unaiming energy, as IL she
Tould shake free hand already
rasping her. The sharp rap and dull
hump of Alvin's alternating crutch
nd shoe came down the street, wei.
ONE sounds to her.
Like a draught of cool air on a hot
heck came his merry voice.
"Are you here, Miss Stellar" he
sked, poking his head through the
Dor into the dim room. you stood
the window minute ago." |
Eyes; and so glad to zee you, Al 6
n. Come in"
Il can't stop minute. Here's some
uff that's been on my mind ever
nee 1t went through on the wire be-
re daylight yesterday. It's Choctaw
me. Some mans cipher, all right; q
1t I'll bet cookie that's Blowhard i.
ads signature"
Stella looked up quickly, apprehen.
On in her face. That means" l
tro BE coNTrNUED.l n