The Forrest City times., 1908-08-07
CHAPTER xfv.-ccntinued.

GfHF FIX t4N.-Scrttrue5
 On the morning of the day Of days Gideon returned from his long ab. seaee. Stella knew natA.ag cf h,s waader5nes saFe the little teid in his =infFecae21 letters. aEd she Bas quite unpreE d fer the Gideon who pre- seated himself before her. The change she s@@ in him was mysterious. al most u1ca11y. Something about hin. his cic-Ees. lis bow. his voice. an al ulosF he.e she could neithe, define nor understand made her feel 1S if a char acteT before unknown had stepped ou; Of B beck 10 meet her. She was glad there vas no time for him. that she could l lead the pressure Of work for the evening
 He had hardly gene when Tie Wah poked his yellow face into grand ma ans room, where in spite of Au- gust heat. four women were plying hurrying needles in last preparations for the evening.
 Charley Clocker, he come now pitt, " soon"
 Gut my shoestrings. Extras. Yic; and hurry. Sally |. rolled up her work with one hand. smoolhed her hair with he other and was out Of the room before the eooA.s reply was finished
 You ca!lee ne lie Wan Sabe ? All light Exilas plenty gosh quick damn huilys he called after her as he smbled to the kitchen, his words fol lowing her flying form 10 the oftlce door.
 Standing in the open doorway Sally B. began volub.e welcome 10 Ter dis iinguished guest while he was Vel a great way eff her high words carry ins like arrows faom a taut bowstring
 Not 10 the public wash basin and allsefvins roller towl. but 10 her fas lidlously clean best room. kept for such emergencies. Sally F. conducted Mir. Croeker for "a wash4p D hair brush. Without actual need of the ceremony he was too tactful 10 dc cline it but used Sally B's home wrought conEeniences with an arpre- eiative thorougkcess that brought broad smiles To her face as she stood by, serving him. and retailing we'll selected railroad gossip the while
 The dinner served to the superintea. dent seated apart in corner Of the dining room. testified 10 Yic Wah $ fine uEGeyst landing of the laconic or. der. extras. The fag-draPed fir trimmed walls. and q stage a the end Of the room. aroused Mir. Checkers GU riosity. and Sally P $ description oi the show 10 be held there that night fur the benefit of Jim Sacketts wid. der was so eloquent that Mir Croeker pat .n her hand the first five dollars for a reserved seat he said.
 At six o'clock came Q message from Alf:cd 10 Stella My train is ordered 10 ...e Front Youn have 10 postpone tne programme till l ceme Set them 10 dancing. and get Sally E. 10 ex. plain. Shes hostess; # will come properly from her. Fl be there as soon as possible. IL Will be after ten.
 The dispatch met Stella as she went in 10 supper early tonight and contrary 10 her custom
 iSaHlstSEs. FalIiLenf shopketpeFS. raloonmen. gamblers. employees of In. gram. Finn & Goald's Fast Freight wagon train to leave in a day or so for the desert. the three musicians from Auburn. trayeliug minister il was an odd eompanioRiag of brawn. brain and guile there al supper under the yellow kerosene lights ln Sally B's hotel. No tabie-talk served as a sauce 10 meat: no ceremony graced Ihs daily meal Men did not e4l they