The Raymer enterprise., 1923-05-31

sister went to open II. Sne returned
presently and said:
ITS Gene. He's been 1awdlin' ou'
there on the front porch, and he
knocked to let US know Miss Ham
monds brother IL comm"
Florence hurried into the parlor
followed by Madeline The door stood
open, and disclosed Stewart sitting or
the porch s.ps. From down the road
came rsatter OF hoofs. Madeline
looked out over Florence's shoulder
and saw a clndd Of dust approaching
and In It she distinguished outlines
cf horses and riders. A warmth spread
0er her. little tingle Of giadness
and the feeling recalled her girlish
love for her brother. What would
he be like after long years?
Looking out, Madeline saw q bunch
Of dusty, wiry horses paving the
gravel and tossing lean heads. Her
swift glance ran over the 1.-the horse
men. trying to pick out the one who
was her brother. But she could not
Her glance. however, caught the same
rough dress and hard aspect that char
acterized the cowboy Stewart. Then
one rider threw his reIns, leaped
from the saddle. and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him
at the door.
Hello, Flo. Where Is she7" he
called, eagerly. With that he looked
over her shoulder to espy Madeline
He actually jumped at her. She
hardly knew the tall form and the
bronzed face. but the warm fash OF
blue eyes was familiar. As for him
he had no doubt Of his sister, It up
peared, for with broken welcome hs
threw his arms around her. then held
her Of and looked searchingly at her
"Well. sister," he began, wher
Florence turned hurriedly from the
door and interrupted him.
"Al. I think you'd better stop the
wrangling out there"
He stared at her. appeared suddenly
IN hear the loud voices from tbs
street. and then, releasing Madeline
he said:
by George. forgot. Flo. There
Is a little business to see to- Keep my
sister In here, please and don't be
fused up. now"
He went out on the porch and called
to his men:
shut on your wind, Jack! And
you. too, Blaze! ! didn't want yor
fellows to come here. But as you
would come, you've got to shut up
This is my business"
Whereupon he turned to Stewart
who was sitting on the fence.
Hello. Stewart" he said.
It was a greeting; but there wa,
that In the voice which alarmed
Madeline.
Stewart leisurely got up and lei.
surely advanced to the porch.
"Hello, Hammondw he drawled.
Drunk again last night?"
"Well, II you want to know, and II
It's any Of your mix. yes, was
pretty drunk" replied Stewart.
II was kind Of cool speech that
showed the cowboy in control Of him
self and master Of the situatlon-noi
an easy speech to follow up with un
due inquisitiveness. There was O
short silence.
% It. Stewart" said the speaker
presently. heres the situation: It's
all over town that you met my sister
last night at the station and-and
Insulted her Gene, you've been on the
wrong trail for some time, drinking
and all that. You're going to the bad
But Bill thinks, and ! think. you're
still man. We never knew you tt
lie. Now what have you to say fol
yourself"
Nobody Is inslnuating that I am 9
llarf" drawled Stewart.
NO"
well, I'm glad to hear that. You
see. Al. l WAS pretty drunk last night
but not drunk enough to forget the
least thing I did. I found Miss Ham
mond waiting alone at the station
She wore a veil, but knew she wal
lady, Of course imagine, now tina,
think Of It. that Miss Hammond
found my gallantry rather startling
and"
At this point Madeline. answering Il
unconsidered impulse, eluded FlorencS
and walked out upon the porch.
Gentlemen" said Madeline, rathel
breathlessly; and It did not add Il
her calmness to feel hot flush In hel
cheeks, 81 am very new to western
ways, but | think you are laborin1
under a mistake, which, In justice Il
Mr.. Stewart. I want to correct. In
deed. he was rather-rather abrup
and strange when he came up to mi
last night: but as I understand hin
now, can attribute that to his gal
lantry. He was somewhat wild ant
sudden and-sentlmental In his de
mand to protect me-and II was MOI
clear whether he meant his protection
for last night or forever; but | an
happy to say he offered me no wore
that was not honorable. And he saw
me safely here to Miss Kingsley,
home"
CHAPTER ~