Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-07-15
CHAPTER XIV.
otis But Thy Name That Is My
Enc11y"

Alfred did not leave the dining
room, but seated himself in the
screened niche that had hidden the
water cooler from the general gaze
He was glad TO be cut of the light,
even the mild light of suffering can
dies. He wished to think, to live over
again some OF the moments of the
night. But the hustle of belated dan.
GERS and Sally BIS hasty orders for hi.
supper annoyed him, till Stclla's voice
was added to the hubbub, and he
found himself straining to catch he1
every word.
It's most ready, Stella he heard
Sally B. say as a soft step came
nearer. Eyerybody's gone, and
lock out fur yer silk traili I've set a
table in among them green's where you
an him play-acted; but the screens
in front SOS nobody can see in the
winder.'
How dear you are!" he heard Stel
la reply.
Huh. It's Vic that's dear. You be:
Al Vincent's the only Teller Yic'd
make kitchen fire for at three in the
mornin'. Yic's stuck on Al; says he's
all samee red button Chinaman.'
Stella made "a light movement be
fore she spoke again. oh. what nice
things to eat, and linen napkins, hem
stitched And china! Where did you
find it ala"
"Oh, them's some bits CT high life
I've KEEP hid fur a spell You kir
make the tea soon's the water bilcs;
an take in the tray. I'm dead tired
Goodnight
"Oh, Mrs. Sally, you're going to
stay, too, aren't you?"
"Lawsy! You don't want me. An
I want 40 winks fore sunup.'
Alfred blessed her understanding
heart.
You're so good to me-" Stella said
and the swish of her silken skirt as
she crossed to Sally B. reached AL
fred's ear.
"Shucks! Good for nuthin'. 1 ben
young myself oncet.'
An instance of silence followed, an
audible kiss and Sally B. tramped out
of the room by a side door, while
Stella descended to the kitchen.
Alfred was grateful for the still
ness, glad that, for the moment. eveE.
Stella was unaware of his nearness
He would not speak till there was nc
danger of interruption.
Vic Wah came in and put out all the
lights save the one in the screened
of hn etc X;
leave the room and pass through the
kitchen, giving Stella an elaborate
goodnight before he shut and locked
the outer door
With the grating of the key and the
assurance of 10 further intruding, Al.
fred slipped from the actual, the sor
did, into the love-land his Romeo's
dress recalled. The darkness was vel
come. Not even yet would he call
Stella. For moment he would dream
NO need of lamp or candle: the re
splendence Of his visions illumined
him. The song in his heart throbbed
melodiously on, it seemed for hours;
yet it was only minutes, and but few
when the rustic of skirts and second
light appearing behind the screen
aroused him. The rustiing went anc
came again, aaJ a faint tinkle OF
china struck his ear. Then he heard
his name:
Mr.. Vincent" softly; and after
breath, hesitatingly. Romeo
Alfred sprang out of his nook, but
did not speak. There she stood, above
him OF the high stage, the light from
behind the screen ffaring sidewist
upon her; next him the cheek he haG
longed to kiss in the play, but did
not. A little pale she was now, yet
SO fair and sweet, Her lips were apart
her hand lifted as if to catch the
sound OF his coming. How beautiful
che was. How sweet and womanly
And in the lonely darkness how nea,
and iatimate-his own, his own!
CTO BE CONTINUED