Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-08-20

tutor for Viola Bernard, daughter of
hotel landlady. Vincent visits society
circles of enemies of the Central Pacific
railroad and learns their secrets.
CHAPTER VlI.-Continued.
Sally B. saw his disappointment,
and came quickly to his rescue. go
with my Viola here; she'll show We.
You can make the house across the
gulch in Is minutes. Mr.. Sacket was
killed by a blast the other day, you
know, an Stella's ben with the wilder
sence. But viii stay with her, an
you'n Stella can talk a heap in a half
hour. Walk this way, an slow; an
yell still have a quarter-hour fur yer
dinner fore the stage leaves Billy
Dodge pulls out to-day; he'll give we
an extra minute or two"
Alfred flushed at Sally BIS loud
plans. He had found instant favor in
her eyes. His obvious superiority
to the men that swarmed, I'M
welcome, about Stella at every OPP
with Stella. The sooner they settled
things the better it would be for her.
But she had no conception of the
complexities of Alfred's nature and
rearing. She could not have compre-
'hended, had he explained it, his senti-
ment for Stella, did not dream of the
cause of his flush of annoyance as he
left her-an annoyance that lasted
and made him a silent companion in
the quick walk.
Viola, glancing shyly at his angry
eyes, registered against him a con-
clusion he might have needed to
reckon with had not the vision of Stel-
la in the doorway banished gloom and
evoked a smile that the child vas
quite old enough to read and glory in.
Breathless, Viola explained her COM
ing with such bald candor that Stella
went forth dumb with embarrassment.
She had lived hard the past few
weeks; Alfred realized it at once. But
now she was t~ongue-tied. The o n
straint born of separation was upon
her. Intuition read to her a little of
the record of Alfred's experiences; of
his different and ~engrossing cares.
Also, the impact of lives and ex-
periences surrounding her had created
an incomprehensible atmosphere
through which she saw Alfred as
through a veil, a different Alfred.
He felt her difidence and construed
it as kind indifference. She did not
love him; she wished him to recognize
the absurd situation Viola had thrust
upon them, yet she was too gentle to
hurt him with speech.
And thus the fleet minutes waned
while these two dumbly sought each
other, like lovers at a bal masque,
clasping hands yet sundered by a
domino.
They came down the path to town
and mounted the high, uneven side
walk. Uncle Billy had just dashed
up to the express Office, the %curvetting
six under the spur of his mysterious
skill still showing off proudly to the
admiring bystanders. Gideon was in
the barroom doorway, his glowering
eyes fixed on the approaching pair.
Alfred discerned the hate in Gideon's
surly greeting, saw the loutish leers
and nudges of the %loungers, Stella's
burning cheeks; he even mlstook the
satisfaction in Uncle Billy's hearty
urging.
Get outside of yo' dinneh at a two.
forty gait, Vincent. The Overland
CANT wait, and Uncle Billy CANT miss
yo' company. Sabe?"
At the dining door Stella
paused and held out her hand.
NO; it's not goodbye" Alfred said,
though he took her hand. Il shall stay
over, shall see you to-night-and-"
Hello, Vincent! You're the very
mar | wanted to see. Had your din.
ner?" Superintendent Croker breezed
out of the dining room, his eyes giving
sincere admiration to Stella, his voice
a hearty welcome to Alfred.
mo, sir" Alfred answered aesitat
ingly. L"
Eat quick, then. Billy Dodge don't
wait for passengers, important or 9th
erwise. The greatest luck this. | ex
pected a dull trip ~over-always ex
cepting the driver" He waved
smiling apology to Uncle Billy and
climbed to the seat beside him.
Alfred felt his body grow leaden
and he startled Stella with his strained
voice.
Very well, Mr.. Crocker; I'll be with
you in a minute"
He turned to Stella. There was
something in her unguarded face that
set his every nerve atingle; that
elated yet maddened him. Still, he
must hold himself in check, must moi
lose a second; most Of all, he mus
not let her know what he had learned
Eyes, 1t must be goodbye, after all
you see," he said tensely. I'll be bach
soon; we'll have a talk then"
He made a snatch at dinner fol-
looks sake, and mounted beside the
superintendent; while onlookers
passed bets ss to whether Alfred was
q company employee or a big bug with
a pocketbook Charley Croker was
trying to hook"
And Stella behind the window cur
tain with blurving eyes watched the
stage whirl away into the dark pines