Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-07-19
CHAPTER II

A Secret Kent.

line f0unQ 1altn TO go IarIner Win
the cowboy. But at the moment she
really did not think about what he
had said Any answer to her would
have served If it had been kind.
AS she walked on into the windy
darkness, much relieved that he had
answered as he had, rejecting that he
bad yet to prove his words true, she
began to grasp the deeper significance
Of them. There was a revival of pride
that made her feel that she ought to
scorn to think at all about such
man.
Presently Madeline's guide turned
off the walk and raped at door of
low-roofed house.
"Hullo-who's there?" a deep voice
answered.
Scene Stewart" said the cowboy.
Call Florence-quick 70
Thump of footsteps followed, a tap
On door, and voices. Madeline heard
4 woman exclaim: "Gene here when
there's dance in town Something
wrong out on the range" A light
Haired up and shone bright through
window In another moment there
came patter of soft steps, and the
door opened to disclose woman hold
Ing lamp.
"Gene! AIS not"
"Al is all right" interrupted the
cowboy.
Madeline had two sensations then
- ~ 80 In,
and love in the woman's voice, and
the other of unutterable relief to be
safe with a friend of her brothers.
Its AIS sister-came on tonight's
train" the cowboy was saying. ~
happened to be at the station, and
I've fetched her up to you"
Madeline came forward out of the
shadow.
"Not-not really Majesty Ham
mond!' exclaimed Florence Kingsley.
She nearly dropped the lamp, and she
looked, astounded beyond belief.
Eyes, I am really She" replied
Madeline. "My train was late and
for some reason Alfred did not meet
me. Mr.-Mr. Stewart saw fit to bring
me to you instead of taking me to
hotel"
"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you" re
piled Florence, warmly do come In.
I'm so surprised, forget my manners.
Why, you are white as sheet. You
must be tired What long wait you
had at the station If 1 had known
you were coming! Indeed, you are
very pale. Are you ill?"
"No. Only I am very tired Travel
Ing so far by rail is harder than /
Imagined. / did have rather long
wait after arriving at the station, but
I can't say that it was lonely"
Florence Kingsley searched Made
lines face with keen eyes, and then
took a long, significant look at the
silent Stewart. With that she de-
nberately and quietly closed a door
leading into another room.
Miss Hammond, what has hap
pened?" She had lowered her voice.
Il do not wish to recall all that, has
happened" replied Madeline. 81 shall
tell Alfred, however, that I would
rather have met hostile Apache than
I cowboy"
"Please don't tell AL thatl" cried
Florence. Then she grasped Stewart
and pulled him close to the light.
AGene, you're drunk p
Nov, see here, Flo, l only"
Il don't want to know. I'd tell it.
Gene, aren't you ever going to learn
decency? Aren't you ever going to
stop drinking. You'll lose all your
friends. Molly and / have pleaded
with you, and now you've gone and
aone-God knows what p
what do women want to wear wells
eorY he growled. I'D have known
her but for that veil.''
'And you wouldn't have insulted
her. But you would the next girl who
came along. Gene, you are hopeless.
Now, you get out Of here and don't
ever come back"
"Flo" he entreated.
II mean it"
II reckon then I'll come back to-
morrow and take my medicine" he
replied.
Don't you dare!'' she cried.
Stewart went out and closed the
loor
miss Hammond, you-you don't
know how this hurts me-" said
Florence. What you must think of
US! It's so unlncky that you should
have had this happen right at first.
Now Ynavhp vo,y MONT hava tho hoorf
70 stay. Oh, I've known more than
one eastern girl to go home without
ever learning what we really are out
Sere. Miss Hammond, Gene Stewart
be fieRd when he's drunk. All the
name know, whatever he did, he
meant no shame to you. Come now,
don't Think about it again tonight"
She took up the lamp and led Made
Hns ~ Q httie room won't you