The Prescott daily news., 1908-06-20
CHAPTER xv. "Tis But Thy Name That ls Ny

Alfred did not leave the dining room, but seated himself in the screened niche that had hidden the water cooler from the general gaze. He was glad to be out of the light. even the mild light of sputtering can dies. He wished to think, to live over again some of the moments of the night. But the hustle of belated dan cers and Sally B's nasty orders for his supper annoyed him, till Stella's voice was added to the hubbub, and he found himself straining to catch her every word.
 Its most ready Stella" he heard Sally B. say as soft step came nearer. "Everybody's gone, and look out fur yer silk trail! I've set table in among them greens where you an him play-acted; but the screens in front sos nobody can see in the winder."
 How dear you are!" he heard Stel- la reply.
 Huh, It's Vic that's dear. You bet Al Vincent's the only feller Yic'd make kitchen fire for at three in the mornn'. Yics stuck on Al; says he's all samee red button Chinaman.'
 Stella made light movement be- fore she spoke again. "Oh, what nice things to eat, and linen napkins, hem stitched. And china, Where did you find it all?"
 "Oh, them's some bits of high life I've kep' hid fur a spell You kin make the tea soon's the water biles an take in the tray. I'm dead tired. Goodnight"
 "Oh, Mrs. Sally, you're going to stay, too, aren't you?'
 ''Lawsy! You don't want me. An I want 40 winks fore sunup."
 Alfred blessed her understanding heart.
 You're so good to me-" Stella said. and the swish of her silken skirt as she crossed to Sally B. reached Al fred's ear.
 "Shucks Good for nuthin'! I ben young myself oncet."
 An instance of silence followed, an audible kiss and Sally B. tramped out of the room by a side door, while Stella descended to the kitchen.
 Alfred was grateful for the still ness, glad that, for the moment, even Stella was unaware of his nearness. He would not speak till there was no danger of interruption.
 Vic Wah came in and put out all the lights save the one in the screened corner of the stage. Alfred heard him leave the room and pass through the kitchen, giving Stella an elaborate goodnight before he shut and locked the outer door
 With the grating of the key and the assurance of no further intruding, Al. fred slipped from the actual, the sor. did, into the love-land his Romeo's dress recalled. The darkness was vel come. Not even yet would he call Stella. For moment he would dream.
 No need of lamp or candle; the re- splendence of his visions ilumined him. The song in his heart throbbed melodiously on, 1t seemed for hours yet it was only minutes, and but few, when the rustic of skirts and a second light appearing behind the screen aroused him. The rustling went and came again, and a faint tinkle of china struck his ear. Then he heard his name!
 MT. Vincent" softly; and after a breath, hesitatingly, Romeo"
 Alfred sprang out of his nook, but did not speak. There she stood, above him on the high stage, the light from behind the screen flaring sidewise upon her; next him the cheek he had longed to kiss in the play, but did not. A little pale she was now, yet so fair and sweet! Her lips were apart, her hand lifted as if to catch the sound of his coming. How beautiful she was! How sweet and womanly! And in the lonely darkness how near and intimate-his own his own!
 (TO BE CONTINUED