The Irish standard., 1908-03-14
Of Gods best, If he is set up a mite

Does he live alone? Oh, no: sup.
pose he has helper as ti.ey have at
other stations, hasn't he?" Alfred
hoped the driver would tell him more
of the station agent not because of
his own interest in the agent but that
he might be saved from thinking.
Yes, he has helper Gid Ingram;
but he's only boy. ii he is big. And
Stella, pore little chicken! She"
Alfred waited discreetly.
away back in the fifties Anthony
struck it rich oven Washoe way" I'm
Gle Billy began again in a steadier
tone. Struck it powerful rich; PANIED
out money fasteh'n he could count it.
And what did he do but put up the
durndest biggest palace this side of
'Frisco-put it up right there where
he struck tin. 1t was bang-up place
TO- sho'; big rooms with tloweh gyar-
dens in the carpets, and floweh gyar-
dens on the walls; gold chairs. and
looking glasses till yo'd see yo'self so
many times yo'd think yo'd got 'em
again."
udI IucIc uOuoS, uS
presently, stood in little artificial
looking gyarden, just as sassy as jay
bird, setting there on the bare flank
of the Si-eery Nevaydys. But the
whole blamed outfit looked awful lone.
some in spite Of bein' so grand and
handsome. 1t seemed burned out of
place. like a peafowl in full spread on
snowbank"
Didn't Mr.. Anthony have a fam.
ily?" Alfred questioned.
yes, one little gal; that was all.
When he got those domestic guards
dealt out to suit him, he sent back
east somewhere for her. She was a
peart little slip bout nine yeahs old
come oven from Sacramento in my
stage. l used to drive in Gods coun.
try those days.
Anthony put her in as mistress Of
the mansion; an there she'd sit in her
high-back chair at the head of the
table as big as life, the only bit of
crinoline present when he'd give grand
dinnehs to the Washoe quality. The
men would toast her, and she'd stan
up and bow, solemn as a funeral"
What? No woman at all around
herr"
"Oh, he had an old woman to look
after her mite, comb and mend, and
such: good old critteh. but no
thoroughbred. And except for. her the
little one neveh saw any but men,"
"How did she learn anything?"
Anthony himself taught her; he
was teacheh once. She was as peart
as chain lightning; and he had coolies
of books.
Anthony went fat broke few
yeahs back; lost everything, including
his grip. Some friend put in word
for him with the old man. and he came
oveh hyah to hold up this station"
"Is he going to keep her here al.
ways?"
mo. that's fretting him. He told
me on the quiet he was fixing to take
her inside and put her to school this
yeah in San Francisco"
How old is she?"
She's young enough. Say. young
felleh!' Uncle Billy turned sharply
and his words were stern. Likely she
amt cut afteh the pattern o crinoline
yo're used to: but she's fast colohs
all right. And five may see mo
like-like what's back yondeh--I want
to stake you right now to stand by
} Stella Anthony
you can count on me-"
The words were curt, but something
In their utterance satisfied the driver
Jimmy! The barns gone!" Uncle
Billy exclaimed as the stage drew near
a square stone house. loop.holed like
battle ship, with tiny points of light
shining through.
A heavy bar ratified to the floor In
side, the one door opened cautiously
and woman appeared holding a can
die IN her upligted hand. She was
. tall and straight, her figure youthful
In spite of ususual size; but the
. faring flame. cleaning down over he1
breeze-tossed hair. cast aging shad
ows on her face: and Alfred saw the
, candle-stick shake.
1T that you, Uncle Billy" The
soASO "do SLSdu!, yCL AIlTeu CduS1l
its note of terror.
Eyes, honey" Relief and tender
ness blended in the answer.
| 1.-THE Indians-did you get through
without any trouble?"
, Yes, without trouble, now that
see my little gals safe" He wa.
quickly on the ground, his arms
around her.
, "Oh, Uncle Billy, fathers-oh.
don't know where he is! The barn.
| burned, the stock gone, and Gid ant
, I've fought EN- all" Her voice broke
} and she hid her face on his shoulder
CHAPTER n.
Hail and Farewell.
u Quickly Stella controlled hersel
, and was going about the station duties
with quiet calmness that surprised
Alfred.
, We've little barley in her, for
, tunately, and some blankets for tn