Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-09-06

began to have a better understanding
OF the nature of 1t when they cast on
restraint and pressed forward to ktsa
the bride. In all her life Madeline
had never seen a bride kissed 80 mncb
and SC heartily. nor one 50 flushed
and disheyeled n happy. This In
deed was a joyful occasion.
The dinner began quietly enough
with the cowboys divided between en-
barrassment and voracious appefitea
that they evidently feared to indulge
Wine, however. loosened their tongues
and when Stillwell got up to make the
speech everybody seemed to expect of
him they greeted him with a roar
Stillwell was now one huge, moun-
famous smile. He was so happy thar
he appeared on the verge OF tears. He
rambled on ecstatically till he came
to, raise his glass.
AN now. girls an boys. let.s all
drink TO the bride an groom to their
sincere an lastin' love; 70 their han
piness an prosperity; to their good
health an long life. Let's drink 10
tAt 0AAAtA VI ~ Edot Will the w Gxf
DO man full Of red blood an the real
breath OF life could resist a Western
girl an a good hoss an Gods free
hand-that open country out there.
So we claim AL Hammond, an NAV
we be true to him. An, friends. /
think II fttin' that we drink to his
sister an to our hopes. Heah's to the
lady we hope to make our Majesty
Heah's TO the man who'll come ridIn'
out OF the West, a fine, big-hearted
man with a fast boss an a strong
rope, an may he win an hold her
come, friends, drink"
A heavy pound of horses hoofs and
a yell outside arrested StillweI's
voice and halted his hand In midalr.
The patio became as silent as an
unoccupled room.
Through the open doors and win
dows OF Machines chamber burst the
of horses stamping TO a halt,
then harsh speech OF men, and a low
cry OF a woman In pain.
Rapid steps crossed the porch, en-
tered Madeline,s room. Nels appeared
In the doorway. Madeline was sur
prised to SEE that he had not been
at the dinner-table. She was dis
turbed at sight OF his face.
Stewart, you're wanted outdoors"
called Nels. bluntly. Monty. you
out here with me. You, Nick,
IN Stillwell-I reckon the rest Of you
ned better shut the doris an stay in
Iide."
Nels disappeared. Quick as a cat
Monty glided out. Madeline heard
lis soft, swift steps pass from her
DOM into her office. He had left hts
,uns there. Madeline trembled. She
Stewart get up quietly and with
ut any change of expression on his
ark, sad face leave the patio. Nick I
followed him. Stillwell dropped
is wine=glass.- AS 1t broke, shlxering q
he silence. his huge smile vanished.
lis face set into the old c~ragginess y
nd the red slowly thIckened into
lack. Stlllwell went out and closed /,
he door behind him. !
Then there was a blank silence. The
njoyment of the moment had been ;,
ndely disrupted. Madeline glanced :
own the lines of brown faces TO see ),
he pleasure fade into the old familiar :
ardness. !.
whats wrong7" asked Alfred, rath- 7
r stupidity. The change of mood had :,
too rapid for him. Suddenly :
e awakened. thoroughly aroused at !
ie interruption. I'm going to see :,
hos butted In here to spoil our din !,
err" he said, and strobe out. :
He returned before any one at the :
bile had spoken or moved, and now :
le dull red Of anger notified his fore :,
cad. :
ITS the sheriff of FL Cajonr he :
tclaimed. contemptuously. pat :,
awe with some Of his touch dep :