Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-08-03
PAGE SEVEN

"Did your sister write thatf" he
asked. Does she think we're a lot Of
wild men from Borneo?"
Evidently she does. rather think
she is In for surprise. Now, Still
well, you are clever and you can see
the situation. / want my guests to en-
Joy their stay here, but do not want
that to be at the expense Of the feel
ings Of all Of US, or even any one.
Helen will bring a lively crowd.
They'll crave excitement-the unusual
Let us see that they are not disap-
pointed. You take the boys into yours
confidence. Tell them what to expect,
and tell them how to meet It, I shall
help you In that. want the boys to
be on dress-parade when they are off
duty. l want them to be on their
most elegant behavior. / do not care
what they do. what measures they
take to protect themselves, what tricks
they contrive, SO long as they do not
overstep the limit of kindness and
courtesy. / want them to play their
parts seriously, naturally, as If they
had lived no other way. My guests
expect to have fun. Let us meet them
with fun. Now what do you say2"
Stillwell rose, his great bulk tower
ing, his huge face beaming.
oval, l say it's the most amazin
fine idee l 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, l am a little afraid. You
know what cowboy fun Is. Perhaps"
"Don't you go 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 Virgin? They won't disgrace
you, Miss Majesty. They'll be simply
immense. It'll beat any show you ever
seen".
~ believe it WILL" replied Madeline.
"very well, we will consider it settled.
My 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 Cajon, Flor
ence called her out upon the porch.
| Stillwell was there with his face wrin-
kled by his wonderful smile and his
eagle eyes riveted upon the distant
| valley. Far away, perhaps twenty
miles, thin streak Of white dust rose
from the valley floor and slanted sky
ward.
"Look!'' said Florence, excitedIy.
"What is thatf" asked Madeline.
Link Stevens and the automobile p'
ooh mol Why, It's only few min
utes since he telephOned saying the
party had just arrived"
"Take look with the glasses" said
Florence.
One glance through the powerful
binoculars convinced Madeline that
| Florence was right. And another
glance at Stillwell told her that he was
speechless with delight. "Wal, as Nels
says, I wouldn't be In that there OF
tomobile right now for a million
pesos" he remarked.
"Why? Is Stevens driving fast?"
GOOD Lord Fast? Miss Majesty,
there hain't ever been anythin except
streak Of lightnin run 80 fast In this
country. l reckon I'd like to be hyar
when Link drives up. but want to be
with the boys down by the hunks. It'll
be some fun to see Nels an Monty
when Link comes fyin' along.S
IT wish Al had stayed TO meet them"
said Madeline.
Her brother had rather hurried a
shipment of cattle to California and
It was Madeline's supposition that ha
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. I 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 a 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 lovelyl" ex.
claimed Florence, impulslvely. as she
gazed wide-eyed up at Madeline. "And
somehow 80 differentl"
Madeline smiled little sadly. Per-
haps when she had put on that ex-
quisite 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