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


Sally D. saw Ills disappointment
and came quickly 10 his rescue. Go
with my Viola here; she1l show ys
You can make the house across the
gulch In Is minutes, Mr. Saeke, was
KILLED by bias, the other day. you
know. an Stella'a ben with the wldder
sence. But vi'li stay with her. an
you'n Stella can talk heap In a half
hour. Walk this way. an SLOW, an
yen sttll have q quartcrhour fur yer
dinner tore the stage leaves Biily
Dodge pulls out to-day; hen give "
an extra minute or two"
Alfred flushed nj sally rs loud
plans He had found instant favor Ia
her eyss His obvious superiority
60 the men ,ha, swarmed, un
welcome ahng, Stella AZ every op
por,ani;y. decided Sally n. To aid him
with Stella. The sooner they settled
things the better II would be for her
fsgt she had no conception Of the
omplexities nt A.ircd's nature and
rsaring. She could aos have eompre
headed. had hs explained Il. his ssutl
ment for Stella. did not dream Of the
cause OF his tlasA Of annoyance AS be-
lets hsr--an annoyance that lasted
and made him silent companion 10
the quick walk
Viola, gsancinE shyiy at bis angry
eyes. Fegtatsred against him con
clusion be might have needed Ia
reckon with had not tho vision Of Stel
Ia In the doorway hanishe! gloom and
evoked smile that the child was
quite old enough to read and glory In.
Drsathiesx, Viola explained her CON,
ing With such bald candnr tia, Stella
wsnt forth dumb with embarrassment
she had lived hard the past few
weeks. ALFRED realized II at once. nas
nos she was t0ague-tied The con.
ssFsiat born Of separation VAS apon
her. Intuition read TO her li,tle OF
tho reccrd os Alfred's experiences. Of
his dlacreat and engrusslng cares.
Also. the impact Of lives and ex.
gerssaecs surrounding her bad created
an lneomprshensIhls atmosphere
through which she saw Alfred A.
through a veil. different Alfred
!. He felt her disadence and construed
~ as kind Indifference, She did no,
atovs him. she wsshed him To recognize
she absurd situation Viola had thrust
apcn them. yet she was too gentle To
hurt him with speech.
And thas the aees minutes waned
while these two dumhty sought each
ether. like lovers At bal masqae.
ciasping hands yet sundered by a
dontiao.
They came down the path to town
aud mounted the high. uneven side,
~aik. Uncle Billy had Just dashed
up TO the express once. the curvetting
six under the spur OF HE mysterious
akin still showing OF proudly to the
admir.ng oystAnders. Gideon was in
The bAryoom doorway. his glowering
eyes txed on the approaching pair.
Alfred diaceIned the hate In Gideon's
susiy greeting. saw the loutish leers
and nudgrs OF the loungers. Stella's
burning cheeks: he even mlstook the
satisfaction in Uncle Billys hearty
urging.
Get outside OF yo' dinneh at two
forty gait. Vincent The Overland
caint wait, and Uncle Billy CANT mlss
10 company, Sabe2"
Al the dining room door Stella
taused and held out her hand
NO. it's not good bye" Alfred said
Though be took her hand, 4 shall stay
over. shall see you to,nisht--and-"
Hello. Vincent You're tie very
man wanted 10 see. Had your din.
ner-" Superintendent Croker breezed
out Of the dining soom. his eyes giving
sincere Arbitration to Stella. his voice
. hearty welcome to Alfred,
mo. SIR" Alfred answered hesitat'
tngiy. 81"
~Ea. quick. then. Billy Dodge don't
wait for passengers. important or 9th
srwise. The greatest luck this. ex.
pected q dull trip over--always ex.
cspting the driver" He waved q
smiling apology to Uncle Billy and
climbed TO the seat beside him.
Alfred felt his body grow leaden:
end hs startled Stella with his strained
soice.
-very well. Mr.. Croker: I'll b with
yoa In Q minute
He turned 10 Stella. There was
somethlng In her ungusrded face that
- III every nerve atinsis; mat