Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-07-26

parts seriously, naturally, as III they
had lived no other way. My guests
expect to have fun. Let us meet them
with fun. Now what do you sayf"
stillweIl rose, his great bulk tower
ing. his huge face beaming.
wal. ! say It's the most amazin'
fine idee l ever heerd In my life"
Indeed, / am glad you like it," went
on Madeline. "Come to me again,
Sullwell, after you have spoken TO
the boys. But, now that / have sug-
gested II, / am a little afraid. You
know what cowboy fun Is. Perhaps"
Don't you go back on that idee."
interrupted Stillwell. He was assur-
ing and bland, but his hurry to con
vince Madeline betrayed him. Leave
the boys to me. Why. don't they all
swear by you. same as the Mexlcans
do to the virgin7 They won't disgrace
you, Miss Majesty. They'll be simply
immense. It'll peat any show you ever
seen"
81 believe it WILL" replied Madeline.
VERY well, we will consider 1t settled.
My guests Will arrive on May ninth.
Meanwhile let us get Her Majesty's
Rancho In shape for this INVASION"
On the afternoon of the ninth of
May, perhaps half an hour after Made
line had received a telephone message
from Link Stevens announcing the ar
rival OF her guests at FL Cajon. Flor
ence called her out upon the porch.
StiIlweIl was there with his face wrin-
killed. by his wonderful smile and his
eagle eyes riveted upon the distant
valley. Far away, perhaps twenty
miles, a thin streak of white dust rose
from the valley floor and slanted sky
ward.
Look 7" said Florence, excitedly.
"What is that?7 asked Madeline.
Link Stevens and the automobile !"
"Oh not Why. it's only a few min
utes since he telephoned saying the
party had just arrived"
Take a look with the glasses" said
Florence.
One glance through the powerful
binoculars convinced Madeline that
Florence was right. And another
glance at Stillwell told her that he was
speechless with delight. "wal, as Neis
says, / wouldn't be In that there OF
tomobile right now for a million
pesos" he remarked.
"Why7 Is Stevens driving fastf"
"Good Lord Fast? Miss Majesty,
there haln't ever been anythin' except
a streak OF lightnin' run so fast In this
country. I reckon I'd like TO be hyar
when Link drives up. but ] want TO be
with the boys down by the hunks. It'll
be some fun to see Nels an Monty
when Link nyin' along"
~ wish AL had stayed TO meet them"
said Madeline.
Her brother had rather hurried a
shipment of cattle to California and
1t was Madeline's superstition that he
had welcomed the opportunity to alb
sent himself from the ranch.
~ am sorry he wouldn't stay" re-
piled Florence. But AIS all business
And he's doing finely. It's just
well, perhaps"
Surely. That vas my pride speak
ing. / would like to have all my fam
lily and all my old friends see what a
AL has become. Well, Link Stew
ems Is running like the wind. The car
will be here before we know It. Flor
ence. we've only a few moments to
dress. But first / want TO order many
and various and exceedingly cold re
for that approaching
party"
Less than a half-hour later Madeline
again { o the porch and found
Florence there.
"Oh, you look just lovelyF' ex.
claimed Florence, impuIsively. as she
gazed wide-eyed up at Madeline. And
somehow so different"
Madeline smiled a little sadly. Per-
haps when she had put on that ex-
quisite white gown something had
to her of the manner which be-
the wearing OF 1t. She could not
resist the desire to look fair once more
In the eyes OF these hypercritIcal
The sad smile had been for
the days that were gone. For she
knew that what society had once been
pleased to call her beauty had trebled
since 1t had last been seen In a draw
lng-room. Madeline wore no jewels,
but at her waist she had pinned two
great crimson roses. Against the dead
white they had the life and fire and
redness of the desert.
links hit the old roundup TRAIL
said Florence. land oh. isn't he riding
that cart"
With Florence, as with most OF the
cowboys. the car was never driven.
but ridden.
white spot with a long trail OF
showed low down In the valley.
1t was now headed almost straight for
the ranch. Madeline watched 1t grow
Ing larger moment by moment, and
her p~leasurable emotion grew accord
lngiy. Then the rapid beat OF q horses
hoofs caused her to turn.
Stewart wss riding In on his black
horse. He had been absent on an i'm
,soysanS sni~~d0o and his duty had