The Raymer enterprise., 1923-07-19

4
parts seriously, naturally, as II they
had lived no other way. My guests
expect to have fun. Let US meet them
with fun. Now what do you sayr
Stillwell rose. his great bulk tower
Ing, his huge face beaming.
"Wal, I say It's the most amazin'
fine idee I ever heerd In my life"
"Indeed, am glad you like IT," went
on Madeline. "Come to me again,
Stillwell. after you have spoken to
the boys. But. now that have sug-
gested 1t, am q little afraid. You
know what cowboy fun is Perhaps"
Don't you 60 back on that idee."
interrupted Stillwell. He was assur-
Ing and bland, but his hurry to con-
vince Madeline betrayed him. Leave
the boys to me. Why. don't they all
swear by you, same as the Mexicans
do to the virginl They won't disgrace
you, Miss Majesty. They'll be simply
immense. It'll beat any show you ever
Seen"
II believe 1t will." replied Madeline.
VERY well, We will consider 1t settled.
Ny guests will arrive on May ninth.
Meanwhile let us get Her Majesty's
Rancho In shape for this invasion"
On the afternoon Of the ninth of
May, perhaps half an hour after Made
line had received telephone message
from Link Stevens announcing the ar
rival Of her guests at Ell Cnjon, Flor
ence called her out upon the porch.
StIllwell was there with his face wrin.
killed. by his wonderful smile and his
eagle eyes riveted upon the distant
valley. Far away. perhaps twenty
miles, a thin streak Of white dust rose
from the valley floor and slanted sky.
ward.
Look" said Florence, excitedly.
"What Is that?' asked Madeline.
Link Stevens and the automobllew
"Oh no! Why. It's only few min
utes since he telephoned saying the
party had just arrived"
Take a look with the glasses" said
Florence.
One glance through the powerful
binoculars convinced Madeline that
Florence was right. And another
glance at Stlllwell told her that he was
speechless with delight. "Wal, as Nels
says. I wouldn't be In that there OF.
tomobile right now for q million
PESOS" he remarked.
"Why7 Is Stevens driving fastf'
Good Lord! Fasti Miss Majesty,
there hain't ever been anythin' except
a streak Of llghtnin' run 80 fast In this
country. I reckon I'd like to be hyar
when Link drives up. but I want to be
with the boys down BY the hunks. It'll
be some fun to see Nels an Monty
when Link comes hyin' along"
II wish Al had stayed to meet then,"
said Madeline.
Her brother had rather hurried a
shipment Of cattle to California; and
1t was Madeline's supposition that he
had welcomed the opportunity to ab-
sent himself from the ranch.
II am sorry he wouldn't stay" re-
piled Florence. "But AIS all business
now. And he's doing finely. It's Just
as well, perhaps
Surely. That was my pride speak.
ing. would like to have all my fam.
lily and all my old friends see what a
man Al has become. Well, Link Stew
ems Is running like the wind. The car
will be here before we know It. Flor
ence we've only few moments to |
dress. But first want to order many
and various and exceedingly cold re-
freshments for that approaching
party"
Less than half.hour later Madeline
went again to the porch and found |
Florence there.
"Oh, you look Just lovely!" ex.
claimed Florence, impulslvely. as she
gazed wlde-eyed up at Madeline. "And
somehow so different"
Madeline smiled little sadly. Per-
haps when she had put on that ex.
qulsite white gown something had
come TO her of the manner which be-
fitted the wearing Of 1t. She could not
resist the desire to look fair once more
in the eyes Of these hypercritical
friends. The sad smile had been for
the days that were gone. For she
knew that what society had once been
pleased to call her beauty had trebled
since 1t had last been seen In q draw.
lng-room. Madeline wore no Jewels,
but at her waist she had pinned two
great crimson roses. Against the dead
white they had the life and fire and
redness Of the desert.
Links hit the old roundup trail"
said Florence. land oh. isn't he riding
that carl"
With Florence, as with most Of the
cowboys, the car was never driven,
but ridden.
A white spot with q long trail Of
dust showed low down In the valley.
1t was now headed almost straight for
the ranch. Madeline watched 1t grow.
Ing larger moment by moment. and
he' pleasurable emotion grew accord.
lngly. Then the rapid beat Of q horses
hoofs caused her to turn.