The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-02-20

my wood-nymph, don't break your
heart; and don't think l was intending
to ask you to marry me. / only wanted
to tell that inflated skipjack. Vincent,
that his modest dove wasn't above a
sweet little Irritation with your humble
servant. | have your handkerchief,
and
us sneering words ceased suddenly,
aot for the menace in Stella's pale
face, but for hasty, approaching
strides. He sprang forward past Stel-
la to meet Gideon's crashing blow.
Hand Stella her handkerchief, you
devils whelp!" Gideon FASTENED the
PROSTATE man with a kick.
Phineas rose with difficulty and
obeyed; but Stella, now that help had
arrived, was stunned to inaction, and
the white token fell at her feet.
That's right, Stella! Don't touch
it," Gideon turned to Phineas. who
was feebly trying to restore order to
his apparel. You brass-mouthed
sneak! heard you kiss her, heard
what you said. If you can't vent your
spite on a man without stalking a
woman you'd better get into hoops or
ride a donkey to--the hell you came
from! If Miss Anthony's name passe3
your lips to any one, youll get my
bullet, Vamoose,"
In his t~hirty-odd years of varied life
Phineas had beaten down many angry
eyes with his daredevil bravado; yet
the blaze of Gideon's passion, boy
though he was, tied the sneering
tongue, confounded the bold eyes.
Phineas turned away, speechless till
he was safe outside the copse. From
there he sent back a last hot shot. Il
didn't know | was poaching on your
preserves, you Injun dandy | re-
sign
Gideon set his teeth. Body and
brain, heart and soul, rebelled against
his restraining will, yet he neither re-
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
lie Dltktu up luG DduuhtitHlti anu
turned to the strained face beside him.
Poor little start he said softly.
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of n of your tears
"Oh, know it, Gideon; but I'm so
ashamed, so Inundated"
The skunk," Gideon's hands
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! Yon 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! | will never marry
any man for protection. I'd not dare
found a home when I'm so %unprepared
for its responsibilities. And-do you
wish me to be a 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 a minute; and meantime"
Meantime" he interrupted excited
ly, hopefully, meantime we'll be en-
gagged. Wen 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-
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 her eyes, still
wet, to his-"Gideon, dear, you'd want
your wife to love you, wouldn't your
"But you do love me-you'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: Gid
con, how can / leave your"
DltliS louhcu StcduIiy at HIN, yet
did lot speak. Gideon was silenced
by some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes, She grew more and ruore
remote. He saw her slipping from
him. Though her hands were in his.
her soul was saying farewell.
eStella." he cried imperiously. you
know you love me; FOL can't deny It."
Yes. Gideon, | love you. | would
10 anything in my power for you; 1
think-I think I 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
bitiof lint from his sleeve. taking un.
necessary time for 1t. She was feel
ing her way to safety, striving for
mastery without a scene. Yet, Gid
con, ! know there must be another
kind OF love. the kind you have for
me. You are older than | am, dear. L
recognize no change in my feeling for
you. | guess I'm still a child, and
you'll have to wait for me to grow up"
he locked at her sharply. incredu-
iously; did not give back her smile.
You looked grown up enough when
: you walked BY with that white-faced