The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-04-16

! lay full length on the counter, frankly
seduced by Morpheus. The passenger
! list still lay open, and Stella looked.
| Gideons name was not therel
She wondered why, since his looks
even more than his words told her
that he would seek Alfred at once.
| AS she walked back new fears beset
her Why was Gideon not going on the
stage? Could Alfred be already on his
way to Colfax? Near? Coming now,
and Gideon had learned It? A terrify-
ing vision of their meeting shook her;
yet quick comfort came with the recol-
lection of Alfred's promised telegram.
He would surely keep his word
Ten minutes of two Ten minutes
past-ffteen!
A light step came down the stair,
and Stella flew into the hall
Uncle Billy!" she called softly, and
drew him into the parlor She put her
letter in his hand, told him of Gideon,
breathessly describing Alfreds dan
ger, though concealing it's cause. She
did not dream that Uncle Billy guessed
It well.
He promised to mount guard over
Alfred, though he scoffed at her fear,
and declared that Gideon, son of the
night. was doubtless alone somewhere
fighting out his anger.
"Oh, Uncle Billy, you're such dear,
good father to me-" she cried impetu-
ously; and, needless, did not see the
light die in his eyes, rocked not of a
missed heartbeat.
His back was toward the lamp, his
face downcast; yet when he lifted it
again, he was calm, his voice steady,
though Stella caught a vibrant sad
ness in it she could not understand
Honey, there's something I've been
wishing to speak to you about for a
month o Sundays, but | couldn't raise
the pluck He stopped, and Stella,
so overwrought, grew suddenly ap-
prehensive, though she did not speak.
"Yo' Uncle Billy's stake in Mann
mons mighty small; but such as it is,
it is decided to you, child | haven't
any kin of my own, that is, none that's
as neah to me as you are, honey.
fixed the papehs in Auburn yesterday"
For an instant Stella did not com
prehend. She looked questioningly
into his face and he smiled back at
her, waiting for her to speak. Then it
broke suddenly will All a young
hearts dread of death came into her
eyes. Uncle Billy deadl And she
profiting by it? 1t could not be. He
surely would live long years STILL She
could not spare him!
The precipient sorrow, the generous
deed, broke down Stella's defenses
and tears flowed uncontrolled while
she haltingly told her gratitude. Uncle
Billy had barely dried her eyes when
Sally BIS step sounded in the hall.
I'm in heah, Sally b." he called,
"and all ready" Before she could turn
back from the stairs and enter he
drew Stella to him and kissed her.
Don't forget my luck posy, honey" he
whispered, as Sally b. opened the
door And in that instant Stella's eyes
were opened.
Ten minutes later the coaches,
Uncle Billy's leading, lined up beside
the thronged sidewalk. Some passen-
gers stood near the second coach.
Only a privileged few coming on the
train would go with Uncle Billy.
Stella, rose in her hand stood
with others near the stage office
door rs Mr.. Ingram going with
TTDo1a pi11,, nv In +bo ot1,o, 600 -, oJs
She asked the clerk, as he returned to
his post from some errand
Ingram? He left town hours ago.
Took Balls best horse, Mig. Told Ball
if he broke the nag's wind he'd pay
any figure Ball"
Stella did not wait to hear him
through. Book me for Virginia
City" she cried, in Uncle Bllly's
coach"
You can't" he began,
whistle shrilled through the dark
ness
Yes! yes! I'll make him let mel"
she oanted, and was gone.
-leep rumble shook the town The
Governor Stanford" raced into the
station. Flying figures caught up mail
and treasure and ran with them to the
waiting coach. Passengers, their linen
busters floating back on the night
breeze hurried after, gulping Sally
BIS scalding coffee on the run and
saatching her neatly packed hot
lunches
Stella, fastening her cloak and car
rylng a small yalise in the other hand,
came flying out of the hotel door She
pressed her scant golden horde into
the booking clerks hand as she
passed. Give the change TO Mrs.
Sally" she said through set teeth, and
ran around in the street to the oppo-
site side of the stage. please help me
up, SIR she called softly to the pas
senger on the box. I've booked and
m TO nave the seat next you"
The man moved intending to step
down and help her up; but the
hostlers cried; "All ready"
NO, no! There isn't time" Stella
called frantically, as she heard Uncle
Billy answer the hostlers. Reach
me your hand" she implored, her foot
on the forward hub.
The passenger obeyed, and she was
seated, the luck rose" safe between
her teeth, when Uncle Billy sprang mp,
crying Let 'em go!" His face was full
OF disappointment in spite of the joylal
replies he flung back to the torrent of
good wishes from the bystanders AS
he swiftly gathered the lines he caught
sight OF Stella
"Gnnd LnrdI Won nni,,lt 90 hnrn,,Im