Output settings for 16F88

[skimask]

This runs the motor slightly faster, however if b < than 59 the motor loses all torque and just hums. At about b = 65 or higher the torque is acceptable and I really do not understand why it can't run faster.

Because that's the nature of stepper motors.
Low speed / High torque
High speed / lower torque

And you still missed my point about the code above...
You've got a pause on one end of the step, but not the other end. The motor/electronics probably have to catch up with each other.

for a = 0 to 2000 ‘ ten turns
ST = 1 ‘ start pulse
for b=0 to 59:next b <-pause here ok
ST = 0 ‘ end pulse
might want a pause here, probably not the same length as above, but a pause nonetheless
next a ‘ loop

At 8Mhz, ST is low for maybe 4us, give or take.
And if you look at the datasheet, there's a turn-on and turn-off delay of 10us.