Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-12-03

had taken the first mettle out of her
horses.
When they were on the road, fol-
the shimmering bay shore
around Fort Point to the sea, the
plangent waves at their feet, the salt i
air blowing clean upon them, the vast
fairness of blue ocean sweeping away
petty thoughts, bringing eternal veri-
ties-there Gideon and Esther found
a common meeting ground.
Gideon freed her from her promise
and would have explained, but she OBJ
jected. ITS past, Gideon. Alfred is
safe, we'll. Let me forget what I know,
hear no more" Her heart bounded,
yet was leaden again. Freedom had
come too late. Alfred no longer loved
her.
Yes, one thing I would know. Did
Phineas Cadwallader have anything to
do with Alfred's-capture?"
mo"
What makes MIN hate Alfred,
them"
HE hates him on more than n
score. Vincent knows some important
secret of his, and Vincent has also
caught Cad in one or two tricks
against the company. Cabs afraid he'll
be reported. Besides all this, Cad was
the last man seen with Vincent before
he disappeared; and if the case is ever
investigated Cad'l have hard work to
clear himself"
Were you? Did any one find out
-? Why were you not arrested?"
"There was not a scrap of evidence
against me. Mysalibi was perfect"
Esther was long silent. Gideon
looked out to sea, and waited.
Have you told any one?" she asked
finally. "You-you had the thing done,
if you didn't do it yourself, didn't
you?"
Eyes. And Live told no one-must
not"
Must not?" she questioned wonder
ingly. She knew he did not lack
courage.
Drag you into such a foul compli-
cation-the trial, your hearts secrets
exposed, prison! To be sure, l didn't
think of that three years ago. Now
you are my cousin-my name yours
But justice" she began, as he
halted. Ought respect for a name to
stand in the way of that?"
1--WE thought of that. But Vincent
is free, as well in health as ever; no
trouble or disgrace attaches; and he's
better off in pocket than if he had
not suffered from me, for I've been
able to throw a thing or two his way.
There are the lost years, and-and
you. Do you think at this late day it
would please him If / dragged your
name before the public? Wouldn't
that rather distress him."
"On account of his own name, per.
haps; he cares nothing for mine" She
was thinking of Amabel's face as she
had waltzed by her the night before,
looking into Alfred's eyes.
"Of course! l knew that always
Gideon said DULY, and gazed seward
On the veranda of the old Cliff house
they stopped as does the tourist of to
day to watch the endless fiip-flop OF
wet, ~glistening seals ~clambering the
gray rocks only to drop into the sea
again. The same brilliant, limitless
panorama unfolded westward then as
to-day-beetling cliffs, the sapphire
sky, white, fantastic clouds, twin greer
promontories guarding the Colder
Gate, the misty, enchanted Farallones
the eternal roar of the surf. But ma
ture then was all u%nsubdued.
They fingered a little, both silent
Gideon nearer content than for years
Where have you been this long
long time, Gideon?" Esther asked OF
their way back to the city.
MANY places. Twice l went tt
~Poughkeepsie. l saw you, though YOU
didn't know it; saw that you we're vel
and happy"
"Gideon!" Esther exclaimed, aston
ished.
I've gridironed Nevada and Utal
deserts looking for gold, and for Wagon
routes; and have found both. The las
few months I've spent between Sal
Francisco and the ranch. I've seel
you often, Stella" He looked at he
wistfully.
Seen me?"
Eyes, in theaters, on the street
wherever society notes in the paper
gave me a clew to your goings."
"And you came-never spok'
-"
mo. l knew you could not MARI.
Vincent. He loves Charley Crocker'
niece. AS long as l was silent 1T
, seemed l love you, Star, just tn
same; no, a thousand times more!
he went on despondently, using uncon
, sciously the old familiar lame. "Bu
, you need not fear me. l shall neve
trouble you after this. We're-we'r
cousins, yes, more like brother an,
sister; and I'm unfit" His sentenc
went unfinished.
: They were nearing Esther's home
t What are your plans, Gideon?"
"To see the finish Of the railroad
then sell out my holdings and go t
my ranch"
CTo BE coNT1NUED.>
SD 3A~
"a