The Raymer enterprise., 1923-08-23
CHAPTER xvII-continued.

An I'll bet you million pesos thet II
you got goin' onct, an she seen you as
I've seen you-wal, know what she'd
think Of you. This old world 'slnt
changed much. Some women may be
white-skinned an softeyed an sweet
voiced an' high-souled. but they all like
to see man! Gene. here's your game.
Let Don Carlos come along. Be civil.
II he an his gang are hungry. feed
'em. Tafs even q little overbearln'
Greaser talk. BE blind II he wants
his gang to steal somethin'. Let him
think the women hev mosied down to
the ranch. But II he says you're lyin'
If he as much as looks round to see
the women-jest jump him same as
you jumped Pat Have. Ne an Monty'll
hang back fer thet. an II your strong
blun don't go through. II the Don's
gang even thinks Of fiashIn' guns, then
we'll open up. An all got to say Is
II them Greasers stand for real gun.
play they'll be sure fust ever seen"
"Nels. there are white men In that
gang." said Stewart.
"Shore. But me an MontyIl be
thlnkin' Of thet. II they start any.
thin III hev to be shore quick"
"AlI right, Nels. old friend. and
thanks" replied Stewart.
NeIs returned to the campfire, and
Stewart resumed his silent guard.
Madeiine's guests sat talking In low
voices until late hour. The Incident
now began to take on the nature Of
Helen's long-yearned-for adventure.
Some OF the party even grew merry In
. subdued way. Then, gradually. one
by one they tired and went to bed.
To keep from thinking Of Stewart
and the burning anger he had caused
her to feel for herself. Madeline tried
to keep her mind on other things. But
thought OF him recurred. and each time
there vas hot commOtlon In her
breast hard TO stllle. Intelligent rea.
sonIng seemed out Of her power. In
the daylight Il had been possible for
her to he oblivious to Stewards deceI,
after the moment Of Its realization. At
night, however, In the strange silence
and lowering shadows Of gloom, with
the speaking stars seeming to call to
her. with the moan OF the wind In the
pines, md sae melancholy mourn Of
coyotes M the distance, she was not
able 10 govern her thought md emo
tim. She had inadvertently heard
Ecls' conversation with Stewart. she
had listened, hoping to hear some good
news or to hear the worst: she had
learned both, and, moreover. enllghten.
nent on one point Of Stewards com.
pieI motives. fle wished TO spare her
any sight that might offend, frtghten.
q disgust her Yet this Stewart, who
showed a Gneness OF feeling that nigh;
have been wanting even In Boyd Har.
vey, maint>ined a secret rendezvous
with that pretty, abandoned Bonita.
Here always the hot shame, like a
Nre. stlnglng, internal fire, abruptly
ended Madellne's thought. The hours
wore %. and at length, us the stars
began 20 pale and there was no sound
ghatever, she fell asleep.
She was called out Of her slumber.
DAY had broken bright and cool. The
sun wns still below the eastern crags.
Ambrose, with several other cowboys.
had brought up buckets Of spring wa.
ter. and hot coffee and cakes. Made
lines party appeared TO be none the
worse FOR the nights experience. In.
deed. the meagcr breakfast might have
been ns merrily partaken Of as It was
hungrily had not Ambrose enJo'ned
silence.
They're expecting company down
below" he said.
This Information and the summary
manner In which the cowboys soon led