The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-06-06
A Romance
By Zane Grey
Copyright by Harper and Brothers

oval, l reckon rs you're so hell-bent
on dom it up brown tibet you'll try to
fire me off'n the range, too?'
IF I 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"
We'll go; but we're comm back
one of these days, an when we do
we'll put you in irons"
Have, If you've got it in that bad
for me, come owe 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"
Mutterfng, cursing, pallid of face,
Have climbed astride his horse. His
comrades 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
it snorted and leaped he turned in his
saddle. shaking his fist. His comrades
led the way, with their horses clatter-
ing into a canter. They disappeared
through the gate.
When, later in the day, Madeline and
Florence, accompanied by Alfred and
Stillwell, left Don Carlos ranch it was
not any too soon for Madeline. The
inside of the Mexican's home was
more unprepossessing and uncomfort-
able than the outside. The halls were
dark, the rooms huge, empty, and
musty and there was an air 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 l. was not
lost Upon Madeline that Florence ap-
peared unusually quiet and thoughtful.
Madeline wondered a little at the
cause. She remembered that Stewart
had wanted to come with them, or de-
tail a few cowboys to accompany them,
but Alfred had laughed at the idea
and would have nom 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 we're dis
turbed by n pounding upon the wall,
and then by Florence's crying out in
answer to a call.
Get up! Throw some clothes on
and come out!"
1t 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.
The room was dark as pitch, but a
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 so when you see it.
Hurry out"
Florence helped Madeline to dress.
Then they hurriedly stumbled over
chairs, and, passing through the dining
room, went out upon the porch.
Away to the westward, low down
along the horizon, she saw leaping red
flames and wind-swept columns of
smoke.
stillwell appeared greatly per-
turbed.
"Al, I'm lookin' fer that ammunition
to blow up" he said. There was
enough of it to blow the roof off the
rancho"
"Bill. surely the cowboys would get
that stuff out the first thing" replied
Alfred, anxiously.
Il reckon so. But all the same, I'm
worryin'. Mebbe there wasn't time.
Supposin' tibet powder went off as the
boys was goin' fer it or carryin' it out !
Well know soon. If the explosion
doesn't come quick now we can fgger
the boys got the boxes OUT
For the next few moments there was
a silence of sustained and painful sus-
pense. Florence gripped Madeline's
arm. Madeline felt q fullness in her
throat and a rapid beating of her
heart. Presently she was relieved with
the others when Stillwell declared the
danger of an explosion needed to be
feared no longer.
"Sure you can gamble on Gene Stew
art" he added. "Therei She's smol-
derin' down now. Reckon VEAL might
Jest as well turn in again. It's only
three o'clock"
Madeline awakened early, but not so
early as the others. who were up and
had breakfast ready when she went
into the dining room. Stillwell was
not in an amiable frame of mind. The
burrows of worry lined his broad brow
and he continually glanced at his
watch, and growled because the cow
boys were so late in riding over with
the news. He gulped his breakfast,
and while Madeline and the others ate
theirs he tramped up and down the
porch. Madeline noted that Alfred
grew nervous and restless. Presently
he left the table to join Stillwell out
side.