The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-04-23

An SCQuaintduCc, uuluS neT uOule-
going for Uncle Billy's next trip, hop.
ing vainly that Alfred would be with
him. II was indeed q Homecoming!
Days only she had been away; they
seemed weeks. Sally b., Viola, Vic
Wah, even the dog. greeted her over-
po~weringly. Suddenly she realized
with a heart-wrench her leaving 1t
would be.
Here's a letter for you Sally B..
said, when Stella vas at last free. 1T
came yesterday"
She took it, but paled with quick
fear when she saw the strange hand
writing. She fastened to her room.
There was neither date, address, MOI
signature; but the message was cruel.
Stella Anthony; Alfred Vncent's
life is in your hands. Send to the ad-
dress below within one week after
October 30 your written word that
you will marry Gideon Ingram, and
Vincent shall go free. Refuse to do
this and he shall die. Return this let.
ter with your answer. or 1t will not
avail"
In the postscript were directions for
address; but Stella did not read them.
She thrust the sinister sheet out OF
sight in her pocket; yet the words
burned in her brain, written there for
ever. Motionless, she gazed at the
wall in a useless endeavor to think.
Darkness fell. Still she stood there,
leaning against the wall now, though
she had no memory OF moving. A step
caught her ear. She started up, in.
tent on defending herself against in.
terruption. The Chinese boys harsh
voice came through the door telling
her that Alvin waited In the parlor to
say goodbye.
She went into the parlor. Alvin, q
man in years, yet ever the buoyant
boy, sprang forward with outstretched
hands to greet her.
"Oh, Miss Stella, the so miles are
done! Done pom honor, too. The
commissioners have examined and ac-
cepted the work. They say it's o. X.
and the governments bound to re-
ceive 1t. And the blamed strike that
broke out yesterday won't hinder THE
c. p. a mite; they've got more men
coming or the sly. I'm going to my
Sacramento Office in the morning. l
came to say good Why, Miss Stella!
What's the natter"
His exuberance was a tonic. Stella's
numb heart began to beat a little color
to her lips, hope to her soul. Yet she
did not speak, though she smiled.
What is it, Miss Stella?' Alvin re-
peated. You look as IL you'd died
and come back, though not all of you.
There's awful things in-your facet"
And in my heart, too, Alvin. Oh,
Alvin, +" She grew cold again, and
was silent.
Tactful Alvin said nothing, but push
ing a chair behind her pressed her
gently into 1t. He did not release her
hand, but stroked it softly, waiting for
her to speak.
Suddenly she started up. This was
the thirtieth, and-a week, the letter
had said! And she did not know how
far the answer was to go. Precious
time had already been wasted. 1t
was ages since she read those awful
words. She must do something, tell
some one, get help. Alvin. He was
the one. She put the letter in his
hand. Read 1t. quick" she COM
handed.
He complied, starting at the first
words, then reading on quietly, through
the postscript directions, and ending
with a careful scrutiny Of the en-.
velope. Stella watched him anxiously,
wondering, even in her p%reoccupation,
at the maturity and wisdom that came
into his face at emergency's call. "Oh.
Alvin, there must be some a be,
side-beside obeying. How can | do
that? Yet how can ! be Alfred's-
mur-murderer?" She s~huddered at
the word.
Perhaps this is only a threat from
some enemy Of Gideon's to get him
into trouble"
"Oh, no." Stella answered, remem.
bering the last look she had seen in
Gideon's face. I'm sure tim sure
Gideon knows OF It,"
oh, cpshaw, Miss Stella! Gid Ing.
ram wouldn't do such a scurvy trick"
Alvin, you don't know. He has
tried to make me marry him. He's
crazy with jealousy. l know this letter
is his work, that he means it,"
Alvin reflected again. Suddenly his
face was Illuminated. There's a way.
and it's sure-marry met"
What? Alvin!" She half rose.
angry that he could jest at such a
moment. But, no. his face was seri.
u Yet 1t was too absurd, impos.
sible!
Not really, OF course, but so far az
any one else knows. Elope with me to-
night.
Her eyes we're big with astonish.
Gradually his meaning dawned
upon her, and the power to think.
His daring idea was suggestive OF an
'ther. mo, Alvin, not even to a v
Alfred Vincent could I do that. Sui.
Tide is cowardly. yet I'd rather kill
myself than seem 10 be SO tickle. to
'etray dear little Viola"
Miss Stella. don't speak of suicide,
md Viola'd know how II was. OF
curse. But there's other ways, il YOU
Won't acceD nv offero ua ,r;I.a