The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-06-15

me, but shore amt ridin' out Of my
way. I reckon I hev enough ridin' to
do. Now, Bill, IL you've SIGH dog-gone
good eyes mebbe you seen somethin
on the way out?"
'Nels, I hewitt seen nothin'," he re-
piled, bluntly.
"Jest take squint at these boss
tracks," said Nels, and he drew Still
well a few PAGES aside and pointed to
large footprints in the dust. 81 reckon
you know the boss tibet made them?"
Scene Stewards roam, or I'm SON.
of-a-gun!" exclaimed Stillwell, and he
dropped heavily to his knees and began
to scrutinize the tracks. Nels, who
ever was straddlin' Stewards boss met
somebody. An they hauled up bit,
but didn't git down"
'Tolerable good for you, Bill, tibet
reasonin'," replied the cowboy. 81
reckon you know what boss made the
other tracks?'
'T'm thinkin' hard, but I amt sure"
at was Danny Mains bronze"
"How do you know thetT' demanded
Stillwell, sharply.
'Bill, the left front foot Of tibet little
boss always wears a shoe tibet sets
crooked. Any of the boys can tell you.
I'd know tibet track If was blind"
'Nels, you don't think the boys
sloped with tibet little hussy, Bonita 2"
'Bill, he shore was sweet on Bonita.
same as Gene was, an Ed Linton be-
fore he got engaged, an all the boys.
She's shore chain-lightnin', that little
black-eyed devil. Danny might hev
sloped with her all right. Danny was
held up on the way to town, an then
in the shame of 1t he got drunk. But
he'll show up SOON"
''Wal, mebbe you an the boys are
right. I believe you are. Nels, there
amt no doubt on earth about who was
ridin' Stewards hoss?"
'Thet's as plain as the boss tracks"
'Wal, it's all amazin' strange. 1t
beats me. wish the boys would ease
up on drinkin'. I was pretty fond Of
done fer, sure. If he crosses the bor-
der where he can fight it won't take
long fer him to get plugged. 1 guess
I'm gettin' old. I don't stand things
like I used to-"
"Bill, 1 reckon I'd better hit the Pei
oncillo trail. Mebbe can find Danny"
81 reckon you had, Nels," replied
Stillwell. "But don't take more'n a
couple Of days. We can't do much on
the roundup without you. I'm short
Of boys"
That ended the conversation. Still
well Immediately began to hitch up
his team, and the cowboys went out
to fetch their strayed horses. Made
line had been curiously interested, and
she saw that Florence knew it.
Things happen, Miss Hammond
she said, soberly, almost sadly.
Madeline thought. And then straight
way Florence began brightly to hum
tune and to busy herself repacking
what was left of the lunch. Madeline
suddenly conceived a strong liking and
respect for this Western girl.
Soon they were once more bowling
along the road down a gradual in
cline, and then they began to climb
long ridge that had for hours hidden
what lay beyond. That climb was
rather tiresome, owing to the sun and
the dust and the restricted view.
Presently, at the top of the steep
ascent, Stillwell got out and walked,
leading the team. During this long
climb fatigue claimed Madeline, and
she drowsily closed her eyes, to find
when she opened them again that the
glazing white sky had changed to a
steel blue The sun had sunk behind
the foothills and the air was growing
chilly. Stillwell had returned to the
driving-seat and was chuckling to the
horses. Shadows crept up out Of the
hollows.
"Wal, Flo," said Stillwell, 81 reckon
we'd better hev the rest Of tibet there
lunch before dark"
"You didn't leave much Of It,"
laughed Florence, as she produced the
basket from under the seat.
While they ate, the short twilight
shaded and gloom filed the hollows.
Madeline was glad to have the robes
close around her and to lean against
Florence. There were brewster spells
In which she lost a feeling of where
she was, and these were disturbed by
the jolt Of wheels over a rough place.
Then came a blank interval, short or |
long, which ended in more violent
lurch of the blackboard. Madeline
awoke to find her head on Florence's |
shoulder. She sat up laughing and
apologizing for her laziness. Florence
assured her they would soon reach the
ranch.
CHAPTER v