The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1908-05-23

COOK, tnat was responded to with
hearty cheers. Vic Wah entered,
bowed, and retired with a beaming
face .,sE
The tcastrnaster now raped fot
order. The conversation and laughter
ceased, the soft rustic of serving and
eating hushed, and the speeches be-
gan
Mr.. Croker spoke first, to the gen.
erai topic: The Railroad" He told
the story of its inception and progress,
paying tribute to Theodore T, Judah,
to the men who furthered the under
taking in congress and legislature, to
all the officers, especially to Mr. Greg
cry; and closed with a neat compli-
ment to Alfred. Stella ever so gently
pressed his arm with her own but the
woman on the other side smiled allur-
inely into his face, and pouted at her
uncle
Uncle Charley didn't say half
enough about you, she whispered, yet
Stella heard it.
Il shall tell him he has left his debt
/ OF gratitude for me to liquidate,' the
beauty continued "Cr-or can | pay
Uncle Charley's scores ?" she ques-
toned in mock humility, leaning to-
ward Alfred till her breath brushed
his cheek. Perhaps my coin is not
current in your market"
OF course, he had to meet her badln-
age. She meant her coin should be
current with him, and above par; and
he would have been Ice had he entire
! ly escaped the spell OF her witcheries.
Several speeches followed, among
them Mr.. Ludlcw's memorable toast,
The Pacific Railroad, the Beautiful
Belt of the Union, with California as
the Golden Buckle"
At the close of the banquet Stella
escaped through door; and from
cover of darkness watched knots of
men gather and dissolve about Miss
Hamilton; marked her every motion
and speech: noted her vivacity, her
perfect grace, her quick smile; saw
flattered Alfred's ready response as
she appealed to him prettily for fact
or eorroboration of her own assertions.
The little court melted away at last.
Mr. Croker was buttonholed by Mr..
Gregory and led eff Viola disap-
peared; and Sally B. was already rush
ing the Transformation that must pre-
cede the five o'clock breakfast.
When the radiant two were alone
Stella saw Miss Hamiltons animation
fade in a breath; saw her pale and
tremble and lift a pathetic little face
to Alfred. And Stella marvelled at
the heroism that had kept the girl
keyed so long to her role However
artificial Miss Hamilton's manner
might have been before, Stella recog.
nized the significance of the dropped
mask. Here was perfect honesty and
the sweet appeal of pain courageously
borne. How could Alfred resist 1t, or
her trust in him, her beauty, all the
subtle intimateness of the moment?
oh, Mr.. Vincent, I've nearly died
this last hour, she said unsteadily.
Won't you please find Uncle Charley
as soon as you CAM
He made some quiet reply Stella did
not hear, and FASTENED to the door,
returning quickly to say that Mr..
Croker had gone with Mr. Gregory,
no one knew where you must let
me carry you to your room Sally
b
"Oh, no! I'm too heavy I'm such
a big girl" Miss Hamilton inter-
rupted, locking up at him with tired.
appealing eyes. Stella thinking of her
own largeness, felt this last sentence
| to be sheer affectation.
For answer, Alfred gathered her
easily in his arms, and Stella recog.
nized the quiet authority in his voice.
You cannot stay here. I'll carry you
gently. Don't worry, you're only
fairy weight. I'll call Miss Anthony
-"
Stella had seen the delicate face set
tie against his shoulder. had felt the
solicitude in his tones They came
toward her, and the CLEAN of lamp
fell full on their faces as the sound
of her own name startled her She
shrank as from blow, and fed to her
room: And when Alfred knocked later
she made no response, though to Sally
BIS anxious inquiry, following soon.
she sent a CHEEKY reply Yet there
was no sleep for her in those early
morning hours; she was fighting q
battle that would change her life.
She did not leave her room till late,
giving herself barely time to go to
the station, where she arrived Just as
Miss Hamilton was being lifted in
! chair to the platform of the rear car.
/ Stella adroitly avoided Alfred's at
tempt at private moment. There was
/ no rancor in her serene face. her
! cheerful speech She met his look
4 squarely. And he approved of the
fine dignity with which she received
Miss Hamilton's extravagant compii-
ments, the Invitation to her home and
/ her voluble goodbye Yet when Stella
put her hand In his in farewell, though
she smiled, and her words were all he
could expect, there seemed an ada
mantine wall between them that had
been builded in night. The frank
girl he loved had changed places with
battling, inscrutable woman. And