Mower County transcript., 1908-05-06

He WINGED before her steady eyes,
.sand lied heroically. Il have heap to
do befo' I'll be ready for the trip
home; and I won't have time to see
You again. Eat good suppeh, child,
won't you? Have YOU money to pay
for TT"
Not q two-bit piece, Uncle Billy.
You pay for me, won't you? And book
me, too? I'll have it for you when We
got home .:..5
She was surprised by his silence and
nervousness. He opened his purse
quickly, and forced some money upon
her, his embarrassment increasing, as
hoslooked furtively through each open
door while pressing her hand shut
over the coin. Take that" he whis-
pered. You must pay 20 own bills, and
book yo'self, honey. Don't ask me
why" he added as she opened her lips
TO speak. !. !.
Instantly he was gone, leaving her
to puz5le out the matter for herself.
But the need for descending her re-
lations with Uncle Billy, whom she
/ had known longer than any one living
save Gideon, did not dawn upon her.
supper alone was less an ordeal
than she had expected. On her return
to her room she met the hall boy and
ordered pen and paper. She had bare
" seated herself to write when dis.
patch interrupted her; it was ad-
dressed to William Dodge, and was
from Alfred at Carson City. Am de-
tanned here Will be in Colfax on the
i thirtieth.
In the reaction of relief she wrote a
short, almost happy letter to Alfred,
sending it to post by the hall boy. The
next day they faced homeward. No
i other passenger shared the box seat
/ with Stella; and leisurely, little shy
ly, she told Uncle Billy of her plans for
! school, and received his advice, heart
; felt, il not always wise.
At Dutch Flat she stopped to visit
an acquaintance, timing her home.
/ going for Uncle Billy's next trip, hop
ing vainly that Alfred would be with
him. It was indeed a homecoming!
!! Days only she. had been away; they
seemed weeks. Sally B., Viola, Vic
Wah, even the dog, greeted her over
1 poweringly. Suddenly she realized
with heart-wrench her leaving it
would be.
Here's q letter for you,' Sally B.
said. when Stella was at last free. "It
eams yesterday.
She took it, but paled with quick
fear when she saw the strange hand
writing. She hastened to her room.
Thore was neither date, address, nor
signature; but the message was cruel
Stella Anthony: Alfred Vincent's
life II IN your hands. Send to the ad-
dress below within one week after
4 October 80 your written word that
you will marry Gideon Ingram, and
Vincent shall go free. Refuse to do
this and hesshall die. Return this let
ter with your answer, or It will not
avail.
In the postscript were directions for
Iaddress; 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 IA q 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 o. defending herself against In.
Eterruption. The ChinSse boys harsh
=Eyoioe came through tle doc. telling
4 her that Alvin waited - the parlor to
say good-b bye. ssssssS'
She went into the parlor. Alvin, .
man: in years, vet ever the buoyant
! hoy, sprang forward with outstretched
hands to greet her.
Mss Stella, the so miles are
B done! Done 'pon honor, too The
commissioners have examined and &C.
ceptel the worlk They say its e Is,
Il and the government 's bound to re.
i II.cei1e And the blamed strike that
sINblok ke out yesterday wont hinder the
4 nit theyiv got more men
colning he sly. IN going to my
a Saeran: entos office IN the morning
q zane say good Miss Stella!
what's the mat atter?'
Els exuberance was q tonic StellA's
numb heart bega to beat: q little scolol
a to#her. lips, hope to her soul Yet sshe
I did not SPEAK, though she snailed
hat IS Iiss Stella ?'' win Sc
Z peated ouS look as if you, died
and come back, thoug e not al of YOU
There awful ingss our face!'
heart too lvin. oh
Twin She cold M