Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-30
CHAPTER XVI
-13
Bonita,

Tor them, Maueil es guests settled
quietly down for rest, which Made
line knew would soon end III desire
for civilized comforts They were al
most tred OF roughlng II. Helen S dls-
content manifested Hseit IN her re-
marx i guess nothing is going 10 nap
pen, after all
Madeline awaited their pleasure In
regard to the breaking of camp; and
meanwhile, as none OF them cared for
more exerti"n, she TOOK aer walks
without them, some ines accompanied
by one of the cowboys, always by the
stag-hounds. one day. while walking
alone, before she realized she had
gone long way down n dim trail
winding among the rocks. 1t was the
middle of summer afternoon, and all
about her were sh, dows OF the crags
crossing the sunlit catches The quiet
was uhdistufhed. jhe went on ana on
not ollhu 10 the Iact that she was per
maps gong 10" Ter from camp but
rsKlns II because she was sure OF her
way pacK' and enjoying the WHO
craeey recesSes that We're new 10 her
finaiIy she came out upon banK that
proKe abruptly INTO a beautiful little
giade. Here she sat down to rest be
Iore unaerthkihg we return Trip.
Suddenly Russ, the keener of the
stag-hounds, raised ais head and
growled. Madeline feared he might
have scented a mountain-lion or wild
cat She quieted i'm and carefully
looked around. The little glade was
open and grassy, with here pine tree,
there boulder. The outlet seemed 10
go down into a wilderness OF canyons
and ridges. Looking in this direction.
Madeline saw the slight, dark figure of
d woman coming tealthily along un-
der the pines. Madeline was amazed.
then a little frightened, for that
steai'hy walk from tree to tree was
suggestive OF secrecy, L nothing worse.
Presently the woman was Joined by
tali man who carried a package,
when ne gave to her. They came on
~ the glade and appeared to be talk
% 80 AiAptA'Nt ii'pll'At
Madeline recognized Stewart. She had
no greater feeling of surprise than had
at brst been hers. But FOR the next
moment she scarcely thought at all
merely watched the couple approach
ing. In flash came back her former
curiosity us to Stewards strange alb
sences from camp, and then with the
return of her doubt, of him the recog-
milton Of the woman. The small, dark
head the brown face, the big eyes
Madeline now saw distinctly-be-
lonsed to the Mexican girl Bonita
stewart had met her there. This was
the secret Of his lonely trips. taken
ever since he had come to work for
Madeline. This secluded glade was a
rendezvous He had her hidden there.
ture to the dogs, and went back along
the trail toward camp. Succeeding her
surprise was a feeling of sorrow that
Stewart's regeneration had not been
complete. Sorrow gave place to in
sufrerable distrust that while she had
Deeh romahcing about this cowboy,
dreaming or her good influence over
hini' he had been merely base Some
now II stung her Stewart had been
morning 10 her. she thought vet she
hao oeeh proud OF hlfn' she tr'ed 10
reVoiVe the thing' 10 be falr TO him'
~heh every lhstlhctive tendency was
10 eApei hlll' ana ali pertaining 10 hlm'
from her thoughts. Ana her eHort AZ
sympathy ut eAtehuation. ialied utter
" pelore her prlue. Exertlng her Will
power sfe oisiiiisseu stewart from her
minn-
Madeline did not think of him again
till late that afternoon, when, as she
was leaving her tent to join several of
her guests. Stewart appeared suddenly
IN her path.
Miss Hammond. l saw .0.r tracks
down the trail" he bega,., eagerly. but
his tone was easy and natural. I'm
'hfnking-well, maybe you sure got
the Idea
4 do not wish for an explanation u
interrupted Madeline.
Stewart gave a slight start His
manner had a semblance of the old
cool audacity. AS he looked down at
her 1t subtly changed.
What effrontery, Madeline thought
TO face her before her guests with an
explanation of his conduct. Suddenly
she felt an inward flash of fire tina,
WIS pain, so strange. so Incompetent
Hble, that her mind whirled. Then an.