The Winslow mail., 1923-07-13

| take TO protect themselves, what tricks
they contrive, so long as they do not
overstep the limit Of kindness and
| courtesy. l 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 say?
Stillwell rose, his great bulk tower
ing, his huge face beaming.
wal, l 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 it, l am 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
seem
81 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
| a Of
line had received a 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.
"LOOkn said Florence, eXcitedly.
"What is that?" asked Madeline.
Link Stevens and the automobile !'
"Oh no! Why, it's only a 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 StilIwell 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
a streak of lightnin' run so fast in this
country. I 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 flynn along"
II 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 he
had welcomed the opportunity to alb
sent himself from the ranch.
Il 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. l would like to have all my fam
fly and all my old friends see what
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.
ooh, you look just lovely!" ex,
claimed Florence, impulsively, as she
gazed wide-eyed up at Madeline "And
somehow so different"
Madeline smiled a little sadly. Per-
haps when she had put on that ex-
Quisite white gown something had
come to her of the manner which be-
uIlSu lIle wearing Ol IL. OuS COuIQ not
resist the desire to look fair once more
i'll 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 it had last been seen in a draw
ing-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
rcdness of the desert.
Links hit the old roundup trail"
said Florence, land oh, isn't he riding
that carp
With Florence, as with most of the
cowboys, the car was never driven,
but ridden.
A white spot with a long trail of
dust showed low down in the valley.
1t was now headed almost straight for
thp ranch Madeline watched If 0royU