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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (July 30, 1908)
SYNOPSIS. i 4 The story op-ns during a trip of the "Overland Mail" through the Rocky mountains. "Undo Billy" Dodge, stage driver. All red Yin* cut. a young man, and Phineas Vadwallader. introduced. They ome across the remains of a massacre. I.ater at Anthony's station they find the redskins have carried their destructive work tie r. a!s->. Stella Anthony, daugh ter of Anthony, keeper of station, is in troduced. Anthony has been killed, Vincent is assigned his -cork in unearth ing plans of enemies et whlroad being ouilt. Vincent visits town w.zre railroad men are vt rking on the road and receives ‘"ken of esteem from Stella. The v.Id stage driver di-( ides to work close to town in order that he may be able to teep fatl • rly watch over the /oung woman. Site is engaged as a tutor for Viola Bernard, daughter of hotel land ady. Yin - nt visits society circles of en emies of the Ventral Pacific railroad and •earns their s rets. He returns to Stel a, •ach shewn? signs of love for the other. Phineas V idwallader, pushing a railroad ■>pp* sing Central Pacific, reaches mining .ov.n. Si writes to Alfred Vincent his goasr. Plying his attentions Cadwailadi r .nsults her and she is rescued by Gideon, m r father's-servant. In turn he proposes h ires her a 'ie will r curn Die sort of a man she will ov-. Stella hears from her lover, jridee n. and of his phenomenal success, f inds leu* r «*f impunance involving jlans of opposition road. Plot to destroy ompany’s ship Flora is unearthed an l ncriminuting evidence against Cadwalla ter on charge of wire tapping is also ’our. h Impending disaster to Central :>a ific is awried by protecting the Flora. Phineas Fadw.; ilader faces prison on •harge of wire tapping. A perfect •hain of evidence connects him with plot S show* love for each other despite hostility >f Gideon. Allred and St** a pledge their roth and former is com pel h d to leave on ■ompanv business. Mrs. Bernard leaves '■ r s :: of husband's recent "strike,” caving Sr* Ila in charge. Again the girl •epulr s Gi 1 on's advances. In showing nils • niece of a raili i icial. athe - amp. Alfred somewhat 8 nent. Bun*iact in railroad town is scene >f r.:-Tt* n. ncpoiization of Alfred by Miss Hamilton, v.hh determination on Stella’s )&rt to change her temperament. Alfred v rites passionately to Stella, decrying he attention wi.ich he was compelled to five Miss Hamilton. Mrs. "Sally" B~r i ird announces riches. Viola’s love for Alvin, a telegraph operator, is revealed, s to St< if love rejected. makes a threat against Alfred’s Fife-. Quickly leaves town on best >rocurcble horse in search of Vincent. A*hen Stella discovers thus she makes a h-spt-rai*- “ffort and hooks passage on Uuge. wh:• •!: is attempting to beat that *f rival company. Amid wild scenes the •oach dashes out of town. Race to beat »pposiiior. company’s stage a success, but Stella fails to hear of Gideon. CHAPTER XXII. A Heart fcr a Life. In the depressing loneliness of a strange hotel Stella's fears returned, multiplied by the hours they had rested. Impatiently she paced the small room. She had no watch to count the minutes. But that the sun still shone on the mountain above her, she would have declared it already night. Where was Uncle Billy? Why hadn't he come to take her to dinner? Innocent Stella! She knew nothing cf Mrs. Grundy's code; suspected no whit of the reason for Uncle Billy's aloofness. In Colfax, under Sally B.'s powerful wing, where Uncle Billy was known and approved, no one would have dared a breath against her. But it was very different in this feverish city. Good women were few. Honest men. toiling for loved ones away, jostled the blackleg, the gambler, the man of many aliases; and petticoated vice preyed upon its authors, and sorely beset clean hearts as well. A beautiful friendless girl must indeed be hedged by angels if she were to run safely the gantlet of this "wickedest city in the world." She left her room and wandered about in search of the parlor; came upon it at last—small, stuffy and possessed by several overdressed, be diamended women, who stared at her brazenly and openly commented on her. As from a pestilence, she fled to her own corridor again, hesitating be fore her door. But vanquished by thought of the desolation within, she dropped the key in her pocket and began walking the narrow hall, darker, emptier than her room, but open at either end to human approach. Here the hall boy found her, bringing a message from Uncle Billy to meet him in the parlor. Stella thought of it a litt’e resentful ly as she hurried on, recalling the in hospitable occupants. But they were gone; and at sight of Uncie Billy's cheery face she forgot they had ever been. He came to her with outstretched hands. "As I told you, honey, Vin A- cent's O. K. He's—” “Here?” she interrupted impetu ously. * -no; ne aian i come tnrougn. none'. Blodgett, the driver, said he got off at Carson. Cadwalladeh met him; they seemed tp have business togetheh." ■'Oh:” The long-drawn exclamation *as all of Stella’s reply; and he hoped she would ask no questions. “You must shut those sweet peepehs of yo’s sharp afteh suppeh; get right smart of sleep to-night, fo' you must start home early in the mawning.” “’Gideon—where do you suppose he is. Uncle Billy?” He had dreaded the words. “Honey, why do you pesteh yo'self about Gid eon? If Vincent's doing business with anotheh man, both of them C. P. fel lows, how can Gideon get in any devil try?” Stella was not reassured. “But, Uncle Billy, Phineas Cadwallader's no protection; he hates Alfred. And why didn’t we see Gideon on the way? He must have come in ahead of us—must be here now. and— If I could only get word from Alfred!” “Shall I telegraph for you?” She shrank back. “Oh, no. He wouldn't wish me to send him mes sages over the wires.” “I'll fix that. He won’t know yo're heah.” That will be good; thank you. I'm such a trouble to you, Uncle Billy! And my trip has been quite useless, she added wearily. “Not useless, honey. You brought me luck—won the race for us.” She smiled. “I hope 1 ’1 bring you more luck. I'll go heme with you to-; morrow.” “That’s right, child. Good-bye till mawning. Have sweet dreams.” "Good-bye?” she echoed wondering-1 : ly. “Aren't you going to stay here i to-night? Take me in to supper." He winced before her steady eyes, | and lied heroically. I have a heap to do befo' I'll be ready for the trip home; and I won't have time to see you again. Eat a good suppeh. child, wdh't you? Have you money to pay ! for it?” “Not a two-bit piece. Uncle Billy. You pay for me, won't you? And book me. too? I'll have it for you when we get home." She was surprised by his silence and nervousness. He opened his purse quickly, and forced some money upon her. his embarrassment increasing as he locked furtively through each open door while pressing her hand shut over the coin. “Take that,” he whis pered.'You must pay yo' own bills, and ; book yo'self, honey. Don't ask me , why!” he added as she opened her lips to speak. Instantly he was gone, leaving her to puzzle out the matter for herself. But the need for dissembling her re-1 lations with Uncle Billy, whom she had known longer than any one living save Gideon, did net dawn upon her. Supper alone was less an ordeal j 1 than she had expected. On her return ! _____ CS&. The Message Was Cruel. to her room she met the hall boy and j ordered pen and paper. She had bare [ ly seated herself to write when a dis i patch interrupted her; it was ad dressed to William Dodge, and was from Alfred at Carson City. “Am de | tamed here. Will be in Colfax on the ! thirtieth.” In the reaction of relief she wrote a I short, almost happy letter to Alfred sending it to post by the hail boy. The ! next day they faced homeward. Xc j other passenger shared the box seal i with Stella; and leisurely, a little shy j ly, she told Uncle Billy of her plans foi j school, and received his advice, heart . felt, if not always wise. At Dutch Flat she stopped to visil an acquaintance, timing her home ! going for Uncle Billy's next trip, hop ing vainly that Alfred would be with him. It was indeed a home-coming! Days only she had been awray; they seemed weeks. Sally B., Viola. Yic Wah, even the dog, greeted her over poweringlv. Suddenly she realized with a heart-wrench her leaving ii would be. “Here's a letter for you,” Sally B said, when Stella was at last free. "I! came yesterday.” She took it, but paled with quick fear when she saw the strange hand writing. She hastened to her room There was neither date, address, not signature; but the message was cruel. “Stella Anthony: Alfred Vincent's life is in your hands. Send to the ad dress below within one week after 1 October 30 your written word that | you will marry Gideon Ingram, and Vincent shall go free. Refuse to dc this and he shall die. Return this let ter with your answer, or it will not avail.” In the postscript were directions for address; but Stella did not read them, j She thrust the sinister sheet out ol ! sight in her pocket; yet the words burned in her brain, written there for ever. Motionless, she gazed at the wall in a useless endeavor to think. Darkness fell. StJl she stood there, leaning against the wall now, though she had no memory of moving. A step caught her ear. She started up. in tent on defending herself against in j lerruption. The Chinese boy s harsh side—beside obeying. How can I do that? Yet how can I be Alfred's— mur—murderer?" She shuddered at the word. ' Perhaps this is only a threat from some enemy of Gideon's to get him into trouble." “Oh. no," Stella answered, remem bering the last look she had seen in Gideon's face. “I'm sure it—I'm sure Gideon knows of it.” “Oh. pshaw. Miss Stella! Gid Ing ram wouldn't do such a scurvy trick.' "Alvin, you don't know. He has I tried to make me marry him. Alvin reflected again. Suddenly his face was illuminated. “There's a wav. and it's sure—marry me!” "What? Alvin!" She half rose, angry that he could jest at such a moment. But, no. his face was seri ous. Y’et it was too absurd, impos sible! “Not really, of course, but so far as Where Mr. Sp Next Time. Maybe. He Will Be More Chary of Compliments. "Do you really mean it, Mr. Spooner, i when you say I am the best girl in the world?" asked Miss Flypp, after the young man had suggested that she should become Mrs. Spooner. "Indeed, I do, Miss Flypp,” assever ated the young man. ”1 say it again— you are the best girl in the world.” "And the loveliest, 1 think you said?” "The loveliest, without doubt." "I think you said something about my accomplishments, too?” "I did. I said they excelled those of any other girl.” "I believe you called me sweet?” “ ‘A sweeter woman ne'er drew breath.’ Quoted the ardent lover. You used the word 'perfect,' too, did you net?” voice came through the door telling her that Alvin waited in the parlor to say good-bye. She went into the parlor. Alvin, a man in years, yet ever the buoyant boy, sprang forward with outstretched hands to greet her. "Oh. Miss Stella, the 50 miles are done! Done 'p°n honor, too. The commissioners have examined and ac cepted the work. They say it's O. K. and the government’s bound to re ceive it. And the blamed strike that broke out yesterday won't hinder the C. P. a mite; they've got more men coming on the sly. I'm going to my Sacramento office in the morning. I came to say good— Why, Miss Stella! What's the matter?" His exuberance was a tonic. Stella's numb heart began to beat a little color to her lips, hope to her soul. Yet she did not speak, though she smiled. “What is it, Miss Stella?" Alvin re peated. "You look as if you'd died and come back, though not all of you. There’s awful things in—your face!" "And in my heart, too. Alvin. Oh, Alvin, I—” She grew cold again, and was silent. Tactful Alvin said nothing, but push ing a chair behind her pressed her gently into it. He did not release her hand, but stroked it softly, waiting for her to speak. Suddenly she started up. This was the thirtieth, and—a week, the letter had said! And she did not know now far the answer was to go. Precious time had already been wasted. It was ages since she read those awful words. She must do something, tell some one, get help. Alvin! He was the one. She put the letter in his hand. "Read it. quick!" she com manded. He complied, starting at the first words, then reading on quietly, through the postscript directions, and end.ng with a careful scrutiny of the en velope. Stella watched him anxiously, wondering. ev< n in her preoccupation, at the maturity and wisdom that came into his face at emergency’s call. "Oh, Alvin, there must be some way be any one ruse knows. Elope with me to night! ' His daring idea was suggestive of an other. "No, Alvin, not even to save Alfred Vincent could I do that. Sui cide is cowardly, yet I'd rather kill myself than seem to be so fickle, to betray dear little Viola.” ‘‘Miss Stella, don't speak of suicide! And Viola’d know how it was. of course. But there's other ways, if you won't accept my offer.” He smiled boyishly in spite of the tragic moment. "Yes, there's another way; I shall disappear, just drop out of sight. And you'll help me, won't you? This very night?” "Yes, indeed. This night is the only time I could do it, too. I'm to work nights after this.” “Can you get me away secretly, Al vin? Have you any plan?” “Yes, I can fix it. I know a man— he's a friend of mine, and as close mcuthed as a dumb one. I’ll get his team and start you on your way to Sacramento, or to the Bay, as you think best. I'd say San Francisco; it's bigger, you can hide safer there.” “Yes, that will be better. But you, Alvin—” “Oh, don't worry about me. I'll be back here before daylight, and take j the train to-morrow. Every one knows I I'm to go to Sacramento.” Stella was silent. “Got any money?” “Net much. My trip to Virginia took : most of it.” “Well, don't fidget over that. I’ve a couple of hundred I can lend you as well as not; and you can take your time to pay. No matter if it's never. And maybe Sally B. can think up a better trick fer you.” “O, Alvin, you're so good! Thank—” She could not trust her v,;ice, yet after i a struggle went on. “I'm sure, Alvin, | we've thought of the only way. But I we will tell— What time must we 1 start?” “Not later than midnight. You bet ter get everything fixed before ten. and let the house get plumb dark an hour or so before.” “Very well. I'll have my letter writ ten in a half-hcur. Will jou come for it and mail it at once?” He nodded. "And Alvin, will you stay here while 1 talk it all over with Sally B.? 1 want no misunderstanding of what we are to do.” Alvin assented and she left him. There was no hesitation now. A strange calmness pervaded her. With out hesitancy or revising she wrote the words that were to separate her from her past, that were to bind her to a life of lonely hiding. "Not to save any man's life, or even my own." she wrote, "will I marry Gideon Ingram. This much I promise, however. I will leave this place and all who know me. I will hide so securely that it will be useless for any one to seek me. And I will never meet Alfred Vin cent. communicate with him. or re ceive communication from him until Gideon Ingram himself gives permis sion.” She signed the letter, directed and sealed the envelope and went down stairs. "You pore little critter!” Sally E. cried, flying to her w ith open arms as she entered. "Al's told me the hull blamed layout! Blast that durned Injun!" She felt Stella tremble in her arms. "Don't be afeard. honey! You've got friends. Men Bill'll stand by ye. You've struck the only thing to do, I reckon.” Stella steed erect and was silent. The others watched#ier without speak ing. waiting on her mood. At last she raced them. "This step changes all my life. Please tell I'ncie Billy the—the best thing you can think of, Mrs. Sally,” Stella said, the words coming slowly, as if she were thinking out her plan as she went. "From this time I shall be Esther Anthony. Only you. Mrs. Sally, shall know where I am. or what I'm doing. Uncle Billy and Alvin— you're so good, Alvin—they can know cf me through you. Will you keep my secret, Sally Bernard, sacredly?” "It's thunderin’ noble, this thing that yore goin' to do, Stella; an' I'll promise, an' keep my mouth shet O. K. if you likewise promise to always let me know where yo're a-hanging out. Do you?” Yes,” Stella said, and walked to the w hidow. speechless. No sound es caped her, but Sally B. saw her shoul ders lift and tremble, and flew to her, comforting her with a love that Stella knew would never fail. When Alvin came at miduight the hotel was dark and silent. Not a glimmer of light came from behind the curtains where Sally B. watched with wet eyes while Steila drove away, her head turned to ward that w indow as long as she could see it. The next morning Sally B. joi#ed her excited conjectures with the most eager of the questioning gossips. And none who listened to her lurid remarks upon Stella's flight dreamed that her aching heart was following the soli tary, fleeing girl. (TO BE CONTINUED.) ocnsr Lost Out i -I did. I also prcn ::unce you the pink of perfection, propriety and modesty, the empress of my heart, i peerless one amon; the beauteous creatures of your sex. a maiden ador able. enchanting and worthy of the hand of the best man on earth. Say the word that will makj me the happi est man. my own Dora!” “Before I give you an answer. Mr. Spooner. I should like to ask you one question.” “A dozen if you like.” “One will be enough. Bon’t you think you have a good doal of assur ance to expect a woman with all those excellent qualities to marry you?” Then Mr. Spooner went home. Like Our Agricultural Implements. Agricultural implements of Amer ican manufacture have a firm foot hold and lead the imports of such ar ticles in Cuban markets. ALCOHOL 3 PER CENT. AVegetable RtpcrteicnfcrAs simHating ttefboilamlRegife tujgUa? StomisaadBowlscf ?\P?i n ntaniwA underlie ! j Promotes DigestionJCfeerfii' ness and Hest.Contains matter OpiunuMarphinc norMiaetaL Not Narcotic. Mcc^e ofOUQcVl-ZIUmnR J farrX'.T Sfcd~ SAtSana * JkM/eS^ JimstStul * Jboemmt Isjb-icncz Zsa* tiirm Sirri C'anfcJ Simr • 1 iiafc^aj/Srai; Aperfecl Remedy for Ccnsf^*; tion, Soar Stonadi.Dlarrtou j WomsfonvnlaaHsJbrrist ness m.:Loss of Sll:?. Facsimile St^tanire at’ NEW YOV.K. Exact Copy of Wrapper. The ELind You Have Always Bought, and which has been in use for over SO years, has home the signature of and has been made under his per sonal supervision since its infancy. Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and “ Just-as-good” are but Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of Infants and Children—Experience against Experiment What is CASTOR!A Castoria is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is Pleasant. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Karcotio substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys Worms and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colie. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates the Stomach and Dowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. The Children’s Panacea—The Mother’s Friend. GENUINE CASTORIA always In Use For Over 80 Years THE CENTAL-* COKPAMY. ?T MURRAV STREET. NEW YORK CTTY. THE EFFECT CF WEALTH. /48b CPs -T Billie—Who is that awfully freckled girl cn the horse? Tillie—Why, that's Miss Gotrox. She has several millions in her own name Billie—So? Myl Aren't her freckles becoming? CUTICURA CURED FOUR Southern Woman Suffered with Itch ing. Burning Rash—Three Little Babies Had Skin Troubles. “My baby had a running sore on his neck and nothing that I did for it took effect until I used Cuticufa. My face was nearly full of tetter or some sim ilar skin disease. It would itch and burn so that I could hardly stand it. ! Two cakes of Cutieura Soap and a box of Cutieura Ointment cured me. Two years after it broke out on my hands and wrist. Sometimes I would go nearly crazy for it itched so badly. I went back to my old stand-by, that had never failed me—one set of Cuti cura Remedies did the work. One s^t also cured my uncle's baby whose bead was a cake of sores, and another baby who was in the same fix. Mrs. Lillie Wilcher, 770 Eleventh St., Chat tanooga, Team, Feb. 16, 1907.'’ Political Note. “I think.” said the old man, “Bill was cm out fer on o' these 'lection eerin' fellers." "How so?” , “Well, he can't git it out his head that twice one ain't ten!”—Atlanta Constitution. /ITS. St. ViTtj*' Hence aod Nervons P! senses per manent \j on red tv 1 r.K ne'sltrtmi Nerve Restorer. Seii'1 f r KKKK fL’.t-O tn;*l -r-l tron'ise. I»r. H. H. Klinp. Ld.. <&1 Arch Street. Phi lade, phia, l*a. 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Neat, clean.' rnament&l, convenient. cheap, ft^iuts nil • e» n - Absolutely Politeness. It was the last day of the term In one ot cur public kindergartens. The children were all seated around the ta bles thoroughly enjoying the treat of ice cream which the teacher always provided on this occasion.' Glancing around the room at the beaming faces of the children, the kindergartner noticed one child pick up his plate and lick it. She went up to him and said in a low tone of voice: ‘ Freddie, put down your plate: it is not polite to pick it up and lick it." Fred obeyed at once, quietly plac ing his plate on the table. He then put his head down to the plate and licked it. Starch, like everything else, is be ing constantly improved, the patent Starches put on the market 25 years * ago are very different and inferior to those of the present day. 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