Mower County transcript., 1908-01-29
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tunately, and some blankets for the
mules; but the hays gone. You'll have
to unh1tch for a few minutes, won't
you, Uncle Billy? They can't double
without little rest, can they?"
"Yes, but not for long. We've got
to be at Maloney's in time to send
help back hyah befo' day. The red
devils amt through hyah; there's
whisky left, and brandy, I see, and"
mot so much. Uncle Billy. 1 burned
all the brandy to make bullets
melted all the pewter stuff, too"
well, sweah! I didn't reckon yo'
fatheh'd ever be short on ammuni-
tion."
TITS ordered long ago, but the agent
hasn't sent it. Father'll come soon
I hope. It's too bad that you must
help with the team, Uncle Billy"
That's no match. The only thing
is to feed and get away as soon as I
can. Where'd yo' fatheh go?"
HE took some stock up to the
meadows this morning; he should
have been back before noon. and"
She stopped abruptly and turned
away.
The driver paled and looked quickly
toward a tall young man busy at one
Of the lockers. He caught the drivers
wordless question and nodded signif-
icantly.
Stella, facing away from them, was
placing dishes on the table. I'll have
supper for you soon," she said present
ly. I'VE didn't dare begin to cook
before for fear-for fear
"All right, Stella These passengehs,
Mr.. Vincent and Mr.. Cadwalladeh, will
eat; but Gid an I'll go and look up the
old man first"
Stella flashed him a grateful look
before nodding to the strangers, the
only acknowledgment of the introduce
tion she took time for. She lighted q
lantern and set it near the door;
brought whisky flask from behind
the bar, and some white cloth, and
placed both beside the lantern.
Alfred sickened at the broken SEN
tences, sinister pauses, and still more
sinister preparations; yet intently
watched the hurrying workers.
Gid, take out the barley and feed
'em double measure. I'll help you
blanket EN- in a minute"
Gideon shouldered the barley Just
as Stella pulled a pile of heavy blan-
kets from shelf. Alfred started for
ward to help her, and felt himself
bending under a load that she had
lifted with ease
I'LL take them, stranger" Gideon
had dropped the barley and stepped
quickly to Stella's side.
Alfred turned, startled at that which
his sensitive ear heard in the voice.
He met pair of black, burning eyes
in a swarthy face not yet divorced from
boyishness, though full manhood spoke
from the straight figure and sinewy
movements. Alfred needed no inter.
prefer for that jealous look, needed no
one to tell him of the instant hostility
that lurked in the darkling eye, and
found quick response in his own heart
He relinquished the blankets and re-
oAANO w LILO NAdAA, n1o eye tu0 DuSleI
since hands must be idle.
He looked about, upon the bar in the
corner, it's glittering glass and one
Kerosene lamp the only brightness in
the gloomy room; upon the dark
weapon-hung walls, and the significant
loop-holes that cleaned small and
black against the starlit night without,
Bare floors, rude homemade furniture
1T was life more primitive than AL.
fred could possibly have imagined ten
days before
One object removed it from saw.
agery, Stella's small cane rocking.
chair. 1t queened the barbarous room.
an omen of coming civilization. From
the chair to Stella herself Alfred's eve
wandered, noting her incongruous
dress, a rich lavender silk skirt, once
boasting train, though now cut half
shoe short, disclosing costly French
boots, one torn at the side. Her linen
waist was jewel-clasped at the white
neck and belted with a zone of Quartz
crystals clear as diamonds. Her comb.
banded with delicate pink coral, held
IN place a coronet of glinting golden.
brown braids, adorning but not dis.
gulslng the shapeliness of her perfect.
~ poised head. And from all this
misplaced elegance short red calico
apron screamed at the eye with the ar.
roG2nce CT q boor in power.
Calmly unconscious of Alfred's scr,,.
tiny, Stella was coming and going.
preparing the late supper.
The team, unhitched but not unhar.
messed, was fed, blanketed and tied tn
the coach wheels in front of the door.
and Uncle Billy stepped inside and
addressed Vincent and Cadwallader.
Il reckon you two fellehs will have
to take turns guarding that team while
we're gone, If you'd care to get away
from hyah with yo' own hair on. Fiah
two shots, wait q minute and fab one.
II yo're molested."
Gideon came in with an armful of
wood. Alfred saw him answer the
drivers unspoken call, saw both
leave the house without looking at