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

stage
he may be able to keep fatheriy watch
Pun uncl tnf Biily with Kisses Tor he bronght
her new hat She is engaged as a
hotel iandlady. Vincent visits society
circles of enemies Of the Central Pacific
CHAPTER VII.-continued.
Sally B. saw lis disappointment,
and came quickly to his rescue. GO
with my Viola here; she'll show We.
You can make the house across the
gulch in Is minutes. Mr.. Sacket was
killed by a blast the other day, you
know, an Stel1a's ben with the wilder
sence. But Vim stay with her, an
you'n Stella can talk heap in half
hour. Walk this way, an slow; an
ye'll still have a quarter-hour fur yer
dinner fore the stage leaves. Billy
Dodge pulls out to-day; he'll give ye
an extra minute or two"
Alfred flushed at Sally BIS loud
plans. He had found instant favor in
her eyes. His obvious superiority
to the men that swarmed, I'M
welcome, about Stella at every op-
portunity, decided Sally B. to aid him
with Stella. The sooner they settled
things the better it would be for her.
But she had no conception of the
complexities of Alfreds nature and
rearing. She could not have compre-
hended. had he explained it, his senti-
ment for Stella, did not dream of the
cause of his flush of annoyance as he
left her-an annoyance that lasted
and made him a silent companion in
the quick walk.
Viola, glancing shyly at his angry
h
clusion he might have needed to
reckon with had not the vision of Stel-
la in the doorway banished gloom and
evoked a smile that the child was
quite old enough to read and glory in.
Breathless, Viola explained her COM
ing with such bald candor that Stella
went forth dumb with embarrassment.
She had lived hard the past few
weeks; Alfred realized it at once. But
now she was tongue-tied. The con-
straint born of separation was upon
her. Intuition read to her a little of
the record of Alfred's experiences; of
his different and engrossing cares.
Also, the impact of lives and ex-
periences surrounding her had created
an incomprehensible atmosphere
through which she saw Alfred as
through a veil, different Alfred.
He felt her difidence and construed
1t as kind Indifference. She did not
love him; she wished him to recognize
the absurd situation Viola had thrust
upon them, yet she was too gentle to
hurt him with speech.
And thus the fleet minutes waned
while these two dumbly sought each
other, like lovers at a bal masque,
clasping hands yet sundered by
domino.
They came down the path to town
and mounted the high. uneven side
walk. Uncle Billy had just dashed
up to the express Office, the curvetting
six under the spur of his mysterious
skill still showing off proudly to the
admiring bystanders. Gideon was in
the barroom doorway, his glowering
eyes fixed on the approaching pair.
Alfred discerned the hate in Gideon's
surly greeting, saw the loutish leers
and nudges of the loungers, Stella's
burning cheeks; he even mistook the
satisfaction in Uncle Billy's hearty
urging.
Get outside of yo' dinneh at a two
forty gait, Vincent The Overland
CANT wait, and Uncle Billy CANT miss
yo' company. Sabe?''
At the dining room door Stella
paused and held out her hand
No; it's not goodbye" Alfred said,
though he took her hand. Il shall stay
over. shall see you to-night-and-''
Hello, Vincent You're the very
man 1 wanted to see. Had your din
| ner?" Superintendent Croker breezed
/ out of the dining room, his eyes giving
sincere admiration to Stella, his voice
a hearty welcome to Alfred
CSv
ingly. T.
Eat quick. then Billy Dodge don't
wait for passengers, important or 9TH
erwise- The greatest luck this. / ex-
pected a dull trip over-always ex-
| cepting the driver" He waved a
smiling apology to Uncle Billy and
climbed to the seat beside him.
Alfred felt his body grow leaden;
and he startled Stella with his strained
voice
Very well, Mr. Croker; III be with
you in a minute
He turned to Stella There was
something in her unguarded face that
set his every nerve atingle; that