The Lamar register., 1923-04-25

riuor. II dudzln slIduse' an sOLne
In keepin' with other things concernin'
Gene"
'tGive me the glass" said AL. Yes.
was right. Bill, the horse is not
frightened. He's coming steadily; he's
got something on his mind"
The wide hollow sloping up into the
foothills lay open to unobstructed
view, and less than half a mile distant
Madeline saw the riderless horse com
ing along the white trail at rapid
canter. A shrill, piercing whistle pealed
In
"wsl, he's seen us. thet's sure" said
Bill.
The horse neared the corrals, disap-
peared into a lane, and then, breaking
his gait again, Numbered into the in
closure and pounded to a halt some
twenty yards from where Stillwell
waited for him.
One look at him at close range in
the clear light of day was enough for
Madeline to award him blue ribbon
over all horses, even the prize winner,
White Stockings. The cowboys great
steed was no 1.-the. slender-bodied mus
stang. He was II charger, almost tre-
mendous OF build. with black coat
family mottled In gruy. and II shone
like polished glass In the sun Evil
IDENTIFY he had been carefully dressed
down for this occasion. for there was
no dust on him, nor hnk In his beau
tiful name, nor a mark on his glossy
hide
"Come hyar, you son-of-a.gun." said
Stillwell
The horse dropped his head, snorted.
and came obediently up. He WAS neil
ther shy nor wild. Unlocking the stir
rups from the pommel, Stillwell let
them fall and began to search the sad
die for something which he evidently
expected to find. Presently from some
where among the trappings he pro-
duced a folded bit of paper. and after
scrutinizing 1t handed It to Al.
Addressed to you; an I'll bet you
two bits know what's In It," he said.
Alfred unfolded the letter, read II.
and then looked at Stillwell.
'Biil, you're pretty good Ruesser.
Genes made for the border He sent
the horse by somebody, no names men
toned. and wants my sister to have
him II she will accept"
ANY mention OF Danny Mainsr'
asked the rancher.
mot a word"
'-Thet's bad. Gened know about
Danny If anybody did. But he's a
cloSe-mouthed cuss. So he's sure hit
tin for Mexico. Wonder II Danny's
goin'. too1 Wal, there's two OF the
best cownen I ever seen. gone to HI.
an I'm sorry"
With that he bowed his head and,
grumbling to himself. went into the
house. Alfred lifted the reins over
the head Of the horse and, leading him
TO Madeline slipped the knot over her
arm and placed the letter in her hand.
Majesty, I'd accept the horse" he
said. Stewart is only cowboy now,
and ms tough as any I've known. But
he comes Of good family. He was a
college man and n gentleman once. He
went 10 the bad out here, like so many
fellows go. like nearly did. Then
he had told me about his sister and
mother. He cared good deal for
them. ! think he has been a source Of
uUnuItllDtS1 10 them. IL was mostly
when he was reminded OF this in some
way that he'd get drunk. have al
ways stuck to him. and would do 50
yet II ! had a chance. You read the
letter, sister, and accept the horse"
In silence Madeline bent her gaze
from her brothers face TO the letter:
''Frlend Al: I'm sending my horse
down 10 you because I'm going away
and haven't the nerve TO take him
where he'd get hurt or fall into
strange hands.
"If you think lts all right, why, give
him TO your sister with my respects.
But If you don't like the idea. Al. or
II she won't have him, then he's for
you. I'm hoping your sister will take
him. She'll be good TO him, and she
can afford to take care Of him. And
while TN waiting TO be plugged by
Greaser bullet, II I happen to have
q picture in mind OF how she'll look
upon my horse, why, man, It's not
going to make any difference to you.
She needn't ever know IT,
Between you and me, Al. don't let
her or Flo ride alone over Don Carlos
way. If I had time could tell you
something about that slick Greaser
And tell your sister. II there's ever
any reason for her 70 run away from