Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-09-27
CHAPTER xIIl.-continued.

"Now, Stillwell. out with It," she
said, briefly.
oval, Miss Majesty, there's goin' to
be a fight somewhere, an Stewart
> wanted to get you-all in before it come
OF. He says the valleys overrun by
vaqueros an guerrillas an robbers, an
Lord knows what else"
He stamped off the porch, his huge
spurs rafting, and started down the
path toward the waiting men.
Stewart stood in his familiar atten-
tive position, erect, silent, with q
hand on pommel and bride.
Stewart, you are exceedingly
thoughtful Of my interests" she said,
wanting to thank him, and not readily
finding words II would not know
what to do without you. Is there dan
get?"
"Tm not sure. But I want to be on
the safe side"
She hesitated. 1t was no longer easy
for her to talk to him, and she did not
know why.
D May know the special orders you
gave Nels and Nick and Monty" she
asked.
"Of course I'll tell you II you insist.
My orders were that at least one of
them must be on guard near you day
and night-never to be out Of hearing
of your voice"
81 thought as much. Stewart, you
still think Don Carlos tried to make
off with me-may try 1t againw
IT don't think. know"
And besides all your other duties
you have shared the watch with these
three cowboysT"
yes"
cit has been going on without my
knowledge? How long Is it to con-
tinue?"
THAT'S hard to say. Till the revo-
luton is over, anyhow"
I She unused a moment, looking away
to the west, where the great void was
filing with red haze She believed i'm
plicitly In him. and the menace hover
Ing near her fell like q shadow upon
her present happiness.
"What must / dor she asked.
IT think you ought to send your
friends back East-and go with them.
until this guerrilla war Is over"
why, Stewart, they would be
broken-hearted. and so would L"
He had no reply for that.
eff do not take your advice It will
be the first time since have come to
look to you for so much" she went on.
Cannot you suggest something else?
My friends are having such a splendid
visit. Helen Is getting we'll. Oh,
should be sorry to see them 60 before
they want to-"
1--WE might take them up into the
mountains and camp out for while"
he said, presently. II know a wild
place up among the crags. It's hard
climb. but worth the work. I never
saw more beautiful spot. Fine wa
ter, and 1t will be COOL Pretty soon
it'll be too hot here for your party to
90 out-of-doors."
you mean to hide me away among
the crags and clouds?" replied Made
line. with laugh.
'Well, it'd amount to that. Your
friends need not know. Perhaps in a
few weeks this spell Of trouble on the
border will be over till fall"
you say it's hard climb up to this
placer
1T surely is. Your friends will get
the real thing If they make that trip"
THAT suits me. Helen especially
wants something to happen. Very
well, am decided. Stewart, OF course
you will take charge? l don't believe
+ Stewart, isn't there something
more you could tell newly you
think, why you know my own personal
liberty Is In peril?"
Yes. But do not ask me what 1t is.
II hadn't been rebel soldier 1 would
never have known"
If you had not been a rebel soldier,
where would Madeline Hammond be
nowr' she asked, earnestly.
He made no reply.
Stewart" she continued, with warm
impulse, you once mentioned a debt
you owed me" And seeing his dark
face pale, she wavered, then went on.
ut Is paid"
mo, no. That never can be paid"
Madeline held out her hand.
1T Is paid, tell you" she repeated.
Suddenly he drew back from the
outstretched white hand that seemed
to fascinate him.
I'D kill man to touch your hand
But I won't touch 1t on the terms you
offer"
His unexpected passion disconnected
her
Stewart, no man ever before re.
fused to shake hands with me, for any
reason. Tit Is scarcely flattering,'
she said, with little laugh. "Why
won't you? Because you think / offer
II as mistress to servant-rancher to
Eowboy?"
"No."
"Then why? The debt you owed me
b paid. cancel 1t. So why not shake
hands upon 1t, as men DOR
Il won't That's ALL