Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-11-01
CHAPTER xviIl-continued.

Stewart to have been connected with
that assault" went ON Madeline, swift
ly, "for he was with me in the waiting
room of the station at the moment the
assault was made outside. The door
was open l heard the voices of quar-
reling men. The language was
Spanish l heard a woman's voice
mingling with the others. 1t, too, was
Spanish, and I could not understand.
But the tone was beseeching. Then l
heard footsteps on the gravel. Just
outside the door then there were
hoarse, furious voices, scuffle, muf-
fed shot, woman's cry, the thud of
falling body, and rapid footsteps of
man running away. Next, the girl
Bonita staggered into the door. She
was white, trembling, terror-stricken.
She recognized Stewart, appealed to
him. Stewart supported her and en-
deavored to calm her. He asked her
II Danny Mains had been shot, or II
he had done the shooting. The girl
said no. She told Stewart that she had
danced a little, flirted little with
vaqueros, and they had quarreled over
her. Then Stewart took her outside
and put her upon his horse. saw the
girl ride that horse down the street to
disappear in the darkness"
While Madeline spoke another change
appeared to be working in the man
Have. His sharp features fixed in an
expression Of craft.
"Thet's mighty interestin', Miss Ham
mond, most as interestin' as a story
book" he said "Now, since you're so
obligin witness, I'd sure like to put
a question or two. What time did you
arrive at Ell Cajon tibet night?'
ut was after eleven O'clock" replied
Madeline.
Nobody there to meet your
mo"
"The station agent an operator both
gomez"
eyes,"
"How soon did this Teller Stewart
show up?" Have continued, with a
wry smile.
"Yery soon after my arrival. think
perhaps fifteen minutes, possibly a
little more"
"An' what time was the Greaser
shot?" queried Have, with his little
eyes cleaning like Goals.
Probably close to half past one. 1t
was two o'clock when I looked at my
watch at Florence Kingsleys house.
Directly after Stewart sent Bonita
away he took me to Miss Kingsley's.
So, allowing for the walk and few
minutes conversation with her, can
pretty definitely say the shooting took
place at about half past one"
Stillwell heaved his big frame step
closer to the sheriff
what re you drivin' att" he roared,
his face black again.
Evidence" snapped Have.
Madeline marveled at this Interrupt
ton; and as Stewart irresistibly drew
her glance she saw him gray-faced as
ashes, shaking, utterly unnerved.
II thank you, Miss Hammond" he
said, huskily. But you needn't answer
any more of Hawe's questions. He's
hes It's not necessary I'll go with
him now, under arrest Bonita will
corroborate your testimony in court
and that will save me from this-this
mans Spite"
Madeline, looking at Stewart, seeing
q humility she at first took for COW.
ardice, suddenly OWNED that it was no,
fear for himself which made him dread
further disclosures Of that night, but
fear for her-fear Of shame she might
suffer through him.
Pat Have cooked his head to one
SIDE like vulture about to strike witt
his beak. and cunningly eyed Madeline
Considered as testimony, what
you've said is sure important an con
elusive. But I'm calculatin' thet the
court will want to hev explained why
you stayed from eleven-thirty till one
thirty In tibet waitin' room alone witt
Stewart"
His deliberate speech met with what
Madeline imagined a remarkable re
ception from Stewart, who gave tiger
ish start; from Stillwell, whose bi,
hands tore at the neck Of his shirt, al
II he was choking; from Alfred, whit
now strobe holly forward, to b.
stopped by the cold and silent Nels
from Monty Price, who uttered VIC
Jent "Awr which was both hiss ant
4 roar.
In the rush Of her thought Madelin,
could not interpret the meaning O.
these things which seemed so strange
at that moment.& But they were por
tentous. Even as she was forming ,
reply to HAYES speech she felt a chill
creep over her.
Stewart detained me in the wait
ing ROOM" she said, clear-voiced as
bell But we were not alone-all tn,
time"
For moment the only sound follow
ing her words was gasp from Stew
art. Hawe's face became TRANSFORMS,
with a hideous amaze and Joy.
"DetainedY he whispered, cranin
his lean and corded neck. "How'