The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-06-23

It was Madeline's supposition that ne
had welcomed the opportunity to ADJ
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" .sH-@...:
Surely. That was my pride speak
ing. I would like to have all my fam
lily 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 1t. Flor
ence, we've only few moments to
dress. But first want to order many
and various and exceedingly cold re-
freshments for that approaching
party" " 49,.
Less than half-hour later Madeline
went again to the porch and found
Florence there. -
"Oh, you look just lovely" ex.
claimed Florence, impulsively, as she
gazed wide eyed up at Madeline. "And
somehow so different"
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 it. She could not
resist the desire to look fair once more
in 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
redness 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 long trail Of
dust showed low down in the valley.
It was now headed almost straight for
the ranch. Madeline watched it grow
ing larger moment by moment, and
her pleasurable emotion grew accord
ingly. Then the rapid beat Of horses
hoofs caused her to turn.
Stewart was riding in on his black
horse. He had been absent on an i'm
portant mission, and his duty had
taken him to the international bound
airy line. His presence home long be-
fore he was expected was particularly
gratifying to Madeline, for it meant
| hot ho1 To
successful issue. Once more, for the
hundredth time, the mans reliability
struck Madeline. He was doer Of
things.
Madeline advanced to the porch
steps. And Stewart, after taking
parcel Of papers from a saddle-bag,
turned toward her.
stewart, you are the best Of
couriers," she said. II am pleased"
Dust streamed from his sombrero as
he dotted it. His dark face seemed to
rise as he Strengthened weary shout
ders.
Here are the reports, Miss Ham
mond," he replied.
AS he looked up to see her standing
there, dressed to receive her eastern
guests, he checked his advance with
violent action which recalled to
Madeline the one he had made on the
night she had met him, when she dis
closed her identity. A man struck by
bullet might have had an instant jerk
of muscular control such as convulsed
Stewart. In that instant, as her keen
gaze searched his dust-caked face, she
met the full, free look Of his eyes. Her
own did not fall, though she felt a
warmth steal to her cheeks. Madeline
very seldom blushed. And now, con-
scious Of her sudden color, a genuine
blush famed on her face. It was irri-