The Winslow mail., 1923-06-15

might, Ma0ellno lnmeQ1aGely sent q
bank-draft to Stewards sister with a
letter explaining that the money was
drawn in advance on Stewards salary.
This done, she impulsively determined
to 90 to Chiricahua herself
Nels, when Madeline asked him to
accompany her to Chiricahua, replied,
reluctantly, that he would rather fol-
low on his horse. However, she pre-
vailed over his hesitancy, and with
Florence also in the car they set out.
For miles and miles the valley road
was smooth, hard-packed, and slightly
downhill. And when speeding was
perfectly safe, Madeline was not
averse to 1t. And when the car
stopped In the wide, dusty street Of
Chiricahua Nels gladly tumbled out.
"Nels, we shall wait here in the car
while you find Stewart" said Made
line.
Nels crossed the railroad track and
disappeared behind the low, fiat
houses. After q little time he reap
peared and hurried up to the car
Miss Hammond, found him." said
Nels. "He was sleepin'. woke him.
He's sober an not bad hurt; but I
don't believe you ought to see him.
Mebbe Florence"
"Nels, 1 want to see him myself.
Why not? What did he say when you
told him I was here?"
"Shore I didn't tell him that. jest
I,,IIo ~
Gawd Nels mebbe I amt glad to see
a human bein'.' He asked me who was
with me, an I told him Link an some
friends. 1 said I'd fetch them In. He
hOllered at tibet. But 1 went, anyway.
Now, If you really will see him, Miss
Hammond, it's good chance. But
shore it's a touchy matter, an you'll
be some sick at sight of him. He's
layin' in a Greaser hole over here.
Likely the Greasers hev been kind to
him. But they're shore a poor lot"
Madeline did not hesitate a moment.
THANK you, Nels. Take me at once.
Come, Florence"
They left the car, now surrounded
by gaping-eyed Mexican children, and
crossed the dusty space to a narrow
lane between red adobe walls. Pass
ing by several houses, Nels stopped at
the door Of what appeared to be an
alleyway leading back. 1t was filthy.
Hes in there, round tibet first cor
ner It's patio, open an sunny. An,
Miss Hammond, if you don't mind, I'll
wait here for you. I reckon Gene
wouldn't like any fellers around when
he sees you girls"
Florence, you wait ALSO" said
Madeline, at the doorway, and turned
in alone.
And she had stepped into broken
down patio Uttered with alfalfa straw
and debris, all clear in the sunlight.
Upon a bench, back toward her, sat a
man looking out through the rents in
the broken wall. He had not heard
her. Madeline did not recognize Stew
art The side Of his face exposed to
her was black, bruised, bearded. His
clothes were ragged and soiled. There
were bits of alfalfa in his hair. His
shoulders sagged. He made a wretched
and hopeless figure sitting there.
Madeline OWNED something of why
Nels shrank from being present.
''NIr. Stewart. 1t is 1, Miss Ham
mond, come to see you," she said.
He grew suddenly perfectly notion
less, as If he had been changed to
stone. She repeated her greeting.
His body jerked. He moved violent
ly as if instinctively to turn and face
this intruder; but a more violent
movement checked him.
Madeline waited. How singular
that this ruined cowboy had pride
which kept him from showing his face!
And was it not shame more than
pride?
go away" he muttered.
"NIr. Stewart :" she began. 81 have
come to help you. VIII you let me?"
For Gods sake! You-you-" he
choked over the words. $50 away!"
Stewart, perhaps it was for Gods
sake that I came," said Madeline,
gently. "Surely it was for yours
and your sisters" Madeline bit her
tongue, for she had not meant to be-
tray her knowledge of Lefty.
He groaned, and, staggering up to
the broken wall, he leaned there with
his face hidden Madeline reflected
that perhaps the slip of speech had
been we'll.
Stewart, please let me say what
have to say?"
He was silent. And she gathered
courage and inspiration.
"Stillwell is deeply hurt, deeply
grieved that he could not turn you back
from this-this fatal course. My
brother is, also. They wanted to help
you. And so do I. 1 have come, think
ing somehow l might succeed where
they have failed. Nels brought your
sisters letter. II read It. 1 was
only the more determined to try to-
help you, and indirectly help your