Mexico Missouri message., 1908-06-11
E" Thought You Went by the Stage"

"a Thought You Went by the Stage"
from! II Miss Anthonys name passes
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 G.deon's passion, boy
though he was, tied the sneering
tongue. confour ded the bold eyes.
Phineas turned away. speechless till
he was safe outl'ide the copse. From
there he sent bark a last hot shot. Il
didn't know | WIS poachIng on your
preserves. you IAjun 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
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him.
Poor little STAR" he said softly.
Don't cry. Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter of one of your tears"
"Oh, | know II. 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-now! You must"
Stella's face grew quickly grave.
No. no. Gideon! | will never marry
any man for protection. I'd not dare
found 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. I know ! 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 well be en-
gagged. Wen tell Sally B.--tell every
body: and whoever dares make you
unhappy shall feel that" He held uT
his doubled fist.
Stella could not help feeling a wom
ans gratitude for the comfort and
| protection Gldeon'B 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-"Gldeon, 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"
Stella looked steadily at him, yei
did not speak. Gideon was silenceC
by some strange thing that appeareC
In her eyes. She grew more and more
remote. He saw her slipping iron
him. Though her hands were In his
her soul was saying farewell.
''Stellal" he cried imperlously, 'yol
how you love me; you can't deny it.
Yes, Gideon. love you. woul'
do anything in my power for you;
Think think would risk my life 70
you. as you've more than once riske'
yours for me. Yet--yet-" Shl
paused. looked up and smiled at him
Drawing one hand free she brushed
bit OF lint from his sleeve, taking un
necessary time for Il. She was feel
ing her way 10 safety. striving 10
mastery without a scene. Yet, Gid
con, know there must be anothe
kind OF love. the kind you have 10
me. You are older than l am. dear.
recognize no change in my feeling 70
you. guess I'm still q child, an
you'n have to walt for me TO grow up.
, To BE coNTINUEp9