The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-05-19

some pretty hard words, though I'm
not sure about tibet. Anyway, Gene
went down to the railroad an he got
on an engine, an he was In the engine
when It pulled out. I jest he'd an idee,
Miss Majesty. II I can get him, Gene
Stewart is the cowboy I want for my
foreman. he can manage this bunch!
Of cow-punchers that are drivin' me
dotty. What's more. since he's fought
fer the rebels an got that name Ef
Captain, all the Greasers in the coun-
try win kneel to him. Now. Miss
Majesty. we hewitt got rid OF Don
Carlos an his vaqueros yet. l don't
like the looks Of things little bit.
I'll tell You now tibet Don Carlos
knows somethin' about the cattle i
lost, an, tibet you've been losin, right
along. Thet Greaser Is hand an glove
with the rebels I'm willin' to gamble
tibet when he does get out he an his
yaqueros will make another one Of
the bands Of guerrillas tibet are har-
ASSN the border. This revolution
amt over yet. It's jest commenced.
An these gangs Of outlaws are goin.
to take advantage Of it. Wen see
some old times, mebbe. Wal. I need
Gene Stewart. need him bad. Will
you let me hire him, Miss Majesty, II
can get him Strengthened upY
The old cattleman ended huskily.
"Stillwell, by all means find Stew
art, and do not wait to straighten him
up. Bring him to the RANCH" replied
Madeline. ~ ~ g.-gs. T.. Z 49, = 9 I
Thanking her. stillwell led his horse
away. -
Madeline had discovered that a good
deal of her sympathy for Stillwen In
his hunt for the reckless Stewart had
insensibly grown to be sympathy for
the cowboy. It was rather paradox.
she thought, that opposed to the con-
tinual reports Of Stewards wildness
as he caroused from town to town
were the continual expressions OF good
will and faith and hope universally
given out by those near her at the
ranch. Stillwell loved the cowboy !;
Florence was fond of him ALFRED
liked and admired him, pitied him
the cowboys swore their regard for
him the more he disgraced himself.
The Mexicans called him Ell Gran
Captain. Madenne's personal opinion
Of Stewart had not changed In the
least since the night 1t had been
formed. But certain attributes Of his,
not clearly defined in her mind, and
the gift of his beautiful. horse, his
valor with the fighting rebels, and all
this strange regard for him, especially
that OF her brother, made her exceed
ingly regret the cowboys present be-
havior. .
Meanwhile Stillwell was so earnest
and Jealous that one not familiar with
the situation would have believed he
was trying to find and reclaim his own
son. He made several trips to little
stations in the valley, and from these
he returned with a gloomy face. Made
line got the details from Alfred. Stew
art was going from bad to worse
drunk, disorderly, savage, sure to
land in the penitentiary. Then came
q report that hurried Stillwell of to
Rodeo. He returned on the third day,
q crushed man. He had been SO BIT
terly hurt that no one, not even Made
line, could get out Of him what had
happened. He admitted finding Stew
art, falling to influence him and when
the old cattleman got so far he turned
purple in the face and talked to HIM
self, as If dazed: "But Gene was
drunk. He was drunk, or he couldn't
hev treated old Bill like thetl"
Madeline was stirred with an anger
toward the brutal cowboy that was as
strong as her sorrow for the loyal old
cattleman. And 1t was when Stillwell
gave I'D that she resolved to take a
hand. She yearned to have the faith
In human nature that Stillwell had In
Stewart.
She sent Nels, mounted upon his
own horse, and leading Majesty, to
Rodeo in search Of Stewart. Nels had
instructions to bring Stewart back to
the ranch. In due time Nels re-
turned, leading the roam without q
rider. --- -se~~
"Yep, I-shore found him." replied
Nels, when questioned. Found him
half sobered up. He'd been In scrap,
an somebody he'd put him to sleep,
guess. Wal, when he seen thet roam
boss he let out a yell an grabbed him
round the neck. The boss knowed
him, all right. Then Gene Rugged the
boss an cried-cried like| never
seen no one who cried like he did. I
waited awhile, an was jest goin' to
say somethin' to him when he turned
on me red-eyed, mad as fire. 'Nels,
he said, I care hi Of a lot fer
tibet boss, an liked you pretty well,
but If you don't take him away quick
I'll shoot you both Wal, I lit out.
I didn't even git to say howdy to him. "
stNels, you think 1t useless-any at
tempt to see him-persuade himY'
asked Madeline.
II shore do, Miss Hammond" re-
piled Nels, gravely. tive seen a few
sun-blinded an locoed an snake
poisoned and skunk bitten cow-punch-
ers in my day, but Gene Stewart beats
'em all. He's shore runnin' wild Fer
| the divide" - ~
Madeline dismissed Nels, but before
he got out Of earshot she heard him
speak to Stillwell, who awaited him