The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1923-07-19
A Romance
By Zane Grew
Copyright BY Harper and Brother,

I'll have the United States cavalry
mere In six hours. and you can gamble
they'll get what my cowboys leave Of
you"
Don Carlos was either q capital nc.
tor and gratefully relieved at Stew.
arts lenlency or else he was thorough.
~ cowed by references to the troops.
81, Senior! Graclas, Senior" he ex.
claimed; and then, turning away, he
called to his men. They hurried after
him. while the fallen vaauero GOT TO
his feet with Stewards help and stag.
gered across the courtyard. In a mo-
ment they were gone, leaving Have
and his several comrades behind.
Have was spltefully ejectlng a wad
OF tobacco from his mouth and swear.
Ing In an undertone about "white-llv-
cred Greasers." He cooked his red
eye speculatlvely at Stewart.
oval. reckon as you're so hell-bent
on doln' 1t up brown tibet you'll try to
fire me offn the range, too?"
III ever do. Pat. you'll need to be
carried off," replied Stewart. "Just
now I'm politely inviting you and your
deputy sheriffs to leave"
well go; but we're comm back
one of these days, an when we do
we'll put you In irons"
Have, II you've got 1t in that bad
for me- come over here In the corral
and let's fight 1t out. You've got 1t In
for me. man to man. Speak up now
and prove you're not the cowardly
skunk I've always thought you. I've
called your hand"
Mutterlng, cursing. pallid Of face
Have climbed astride his horse. His
cOmraaes followed suit. Certain It ap-
peared that the sheriff was contend
Ing with more than fear and wrath.
Savagely he spurred his horse, and as
1t snorted and leaped he turned In his
saddle. shaking his fist. His comrades
led the way, with their horses clatter-
Ing into canter. They disappeared
through the gate
When, later In the day, Madeline and
Florence, accompanied by Alfred and
Stillwell, left Don Carlos ranch 1t was
not any too soon for Madeline. The
inside Of the Mexican's home was
more n1repOssessing and uncomfort-
able than the outside. The halls were
dark, the rooms huge, empty, and
musty; and there was an afr Of silence
and secrecy and mystery about them
most fitting to the character Florence
had bestowed upon the place.
On the other hand. Alfred's ranch
house. where the party halted to spend
the night. was picturesquely located.
small and coy. camplike In the ar
rangement. and altogether agreeable
to Madeline.
The days long ride and the exciting
events had wearied her. She rested
while Florence and the two men got
supper. During the meal It was not
lost upon Madeline that Florence ap-
peared unusually quiet and thoughtful.
Madeline wondered q little at the
cause. She remembered that Stewart
had wanted to come with than. or de-
tail a few cowboys to accompany them.
but Alfred had laughed at the idea
and would have none OF It.
After supper Alfred monopolized the
conversation by describing what he
wanted to do to improve his home be-
fore he and Florence were married.
Then at an early hour they all re-
tired.
Madeline's deep slumbers were dis
turbed by a pounding upon the wall,
and then by Florence's crying out In
answer to 4 call.
"Get up! Throw some clothes on
and come Out!"
II was Alfred's voice.
"What's the matter?" asked Flor
ence, as she slipped out Of bed.
alfred, Is there anything wrong?"
added Madeline, sitting up.
| Tie room was dark as pitch, but q
faint glow seemed to mark the posi-
ton OF the window.
"Oh. nothing much" replied Alfred.
"Only Don Carlos rancho going up In
smoke"
"Fire!" cried Florence, sharply.
you'll think 30 when you see It.
Hurry out"
Florence helped Madeline to dress.
Then they hurrlcdly stumbled over
chnlrs, md, passing through the dining
room, went out upon the porch.
| m "a
nlong the horizon. she saw lenp!ng red
flames and w!nd.swept columns Of
smoke.
Sullwsi appeared greatly per-
turbed.
al. I'm lookin' fer that ammunition
10 blow up" he said. There was
enough OF It TO blow the roof on the
rancho
"BIll. surely the cowboys would get
TINT stun out the first thing replied
Alfred. nnxlously.
| ar -.,,.,, On Huf NIL the same I'm