Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-05-30


your lips to any one, you'll get my
bullet! Vamoose!"
In his thirty-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, confouuded the bold eyes.
Phineas turned away, speeches. till
he was safe outside the copse. From
there he sent back last hot shot. Il
didn't know. 1 WAS poaching on your
preserves, you hljun dandy! I 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
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him.
Poor little Start" he said softly.
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of one 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! You shall no longer be ex-
posed to such insults! You must mar
ry me, soon-nowi You must"
Stella's face grew quickly grave.
mo, no, Gideon! I 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 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 I can
-for-for your sake 1 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. Well tell Sally B.-ten 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
9-Gideon''-she turned her eyes. still
wet, to his-"Gideon, dear, you'd want
your wife to love you, wouldn't you?"
But you do love me-you've always
II; dc
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"
Stella looked steadily at him, yet
did not speak Gideon was silenced
by some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes She grew more and more
remote. He saw her slipping from
him. Though her hands were in his,
her soul was saying farewell
'.Ste1la." he cried imperiousiy, you
know you love me; you can't deny it
Yes, Gideon, 1 love you would
do anything in my power for you;
Think think 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
bit of lint from his sleeve, taking un-
necessary time for it, She was feel
ing her way to safety. striving for
mastery without q scene yet, Gid
con, know there must be another
kind of love. the kind you have for
me. You are older than am, dear 1
recognize no change in my feeling for
you / guess I'm still child. and
youu have to wait for me to grow up
no BE CONTINUEp.