Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1909-01-07

from. II Miss Anthony's name passes
your lips to any one, you'll get my
bullet, Vamoose!"
In his thirty-odd years Of varied life
Phlneas had beaten down many angry
eyes with his daredevil brayado; yet
the blaze OF Gideon's passion, boy
though he was. tied the sneering
tongue. confounded the bold eyes.
phineas turned away. speechless till
he was safe out!ide the copse. From
there he sent ba'k last hot shot. u
didn't know ! WIS poaching on your
preserves. you Mjun dandy! re-
sign"
Gideon set his teeth. Body and
brain, heart and soul. rebelled against
his restraining will yet he neither re-
piled nor followed, A fighter born.
Stella alone, and Stella In trouble, pre-
vented him from giving Phineas the
druhhtng OF his life Gideon waited
till the faint sound OF footsteps pro
claimed Phtneas out OF earshot before
he picked up the handkerchief and
turned to the strained face beside him,
Poor little Start" he said softly
Don't cry, Moppett! He isn't worth
one quarter Of one OF your tears"
"Oh. | know IT, Gideon. but I'm so
ashamed. so Inundated"
The skunk" Gideon's hands
clenched till the knuckles were white
Abruptly he turned to Stella. grasping
her arm with the hand that had rested
tenderly on her shoulder. A quick
fame leaped in his mystic eyes.
Stella! You shall no longer be ex.
posed to such insults You must mar
~ me. soon--now! You must"
Stellas face grew quickly grave
NO. no. Gideon! will never marry
any man for protection. Id not dare
found a home when I'm so unprepared
for its responsibilities, And--do you
wish me to be barkeeper's wife,"
Gideon started, stung by the scorn
In her question. and released her arm.
But III dc something else. I'll learn
ANY business you say. know can
--for--for your sake | can"
Stella WINGED at the world Of tender
ness In his low words That's not
done in a minute: and meantime"
Meantime" he interrupted excited
ly hopefully. meantime well be en-.
gagged. Wen tell Sally Bell every
body. and whoever dares make you
unhappy shall feel that" He held up
his doubled fist
Stella could not help feeling a WON
ans gratitude for the comfort and
protection Gideon's loyal courage
promised; yet she said nothing, look
ing down on the green breast Of Ma.
ture, dumbly seeking some wise word
from her bounty.
Gideon turned her eyes, still
wet, to his-"Gideon, dear, you'd want
your wife to love you. wouldn't you?"
But you do love me-you've always
loved me" His words we're confident.
He faced her, caught up her hands.
oh. little Star, don't you remember
that last night In the stationH You put
out your hands to me and said: CID
con, how can leave you?'"
Stella looked steadily at him, yet
did not speak. Gideon was silenced
fly some strange thing that appeared
in her eyes, She grew more and more
remote He saw her slipping fOm
him. Though her hands were In his.
her soul was saying farewell.
Stella" he cried imperiously, you
know you love me; you can't deny It"
Yes, Gideon, love you. | would
DO any thing in my power foi you. I
think think would risk my life for
you, as you've more than once risked
yours for me. Yet-yet--" She
paused, looked up and smiled at him.
Drawing one hand free she brushed
bit of lint from his sleeve, taking un.
necessary time for It. She was feel
ing her way to safety, striving for
mastery without scene. Yet Gid.
con. know there must be another
kiad Of love, the kind you have for
me. You are older than am, dear.
recognize no change In my feeiins for
you guess I'm still q child. and
you'll have to wait for me 60 grow up.-
GO m cokTkNuEnA