Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-08-24
CHAPTER XIV
The Mountain Trail,

Florence knocked upon another; and
Madeline, far shaken out Of her usual
serenity, admitted the cool western
girl with more than gladness. Just to
have her near helped Madeline to get
back her balance. She was conscious
Of Florence's sharp scrutiny, then Of
sweet, deliberate change Of manner.
Florence might have been burning
with curiosity to know more about the
bandits hidden In the house, the plans
Of the cowboys the reason for Made
lines suppressed emotion; but instead
Of asking Madeline questions she IN
troduced the important subject Of
what to take on the camping trip. For
an hour they discussed the need Of
this and that article, selected those
things most needful, and then packed
them in Madeline's duffle-bags.
That done, they decided to lie down,
fully dressed as they were in riding
costume, and sleep, or at least rest,
the little remaining time left before
the call to saddle. Madeline turned
out the light and, peeping through her
WAhaOWp ooW ohIA IOIluS oLduuluk Sell"
tinel-like in the gloom. When she lay
down she heard soft steps on the path
This fidelity to her swelled her heart,
while the need Of It presaged that
fearful something which, since Stew
arts passionate appeal to her, haunt
ed her as inevitable
Madeline did not expect to sleep,
yet she did sleep, and it seemed to
have been only a moment until Flor
ence called her. She followed Florence
outside. She could discern saddled
horses being held by cowboys. There
was an air Of hurry and mystery about
the departure. Helen, who came tip
toeing out with Madeline's other
guests, whispered that it was like an
escape. She was delighted. The others
were amused. To Madeline it was in
, deed an escape. She heard low voices,
the champing Of bits and humping of
hoofs, and she recognized Stewart
when he led up Majesty for her to
mount Then came pattering Of soft
feet and the whining Of dogs. Cold
noses touched her hands, and she saw
the long, gray. shaggy shapes Of her
pack of Russian wolf-hounds. That
Stewart meant to let them go with hel
was indicative Of how he studied her
pleasure. She loved to be out with
the hounds and her horse
Stewart led Ma+eery o0t into II
Darkness past q line of mounted
horses.
"Guess we're ready" he said. "rll
make the count" He went back along
he line, and on the return Madeline
heard him say several times, "Now,
everybody ride close to the horse in
front, and keep quiet till daylight"
Then the snorting and pounding Of the
big black horse In front Of her told
Madeline that Stewart had mounted.
"All right, we're off," he called.
Madeline lifted Majestys bride and
let the roam go. The trail led in a
roundabout way through shallow gull
lies full Of stone and brush washed
down by floods. At every turn now
Madeline expected to come upon wa
lCT anu Tic WolllllS PAIN u ain. oul
time passed, and miles of climbing,
and no water or horses were met. Ex-
pectation in Madeline gave place to
desire; she was hungry.
Stewart kept ON. 1t was eight o'clock
by Madeline's watch when, upon turn
ing into a wide hollow, she saw horses
grazing on spare grass, a great pile OF
canvas-covered bundles, and a fire
round which cowboys and two Mexi-
can women were busy.
Madeline sat her horse and reviewed
her followers as they rode up single
file. Her guests were In merry mood,
and they all talked at once.
Breakfast - and rustic" called
out Stewart, without ceremony.
For that matter, Madeline observed
Helen did not show any marked con-
trast to the others. The hurry order
did not interfere with the meal being
somewhat In the nature Of picnic.
AS soon as the pack-train was in
readiness Stewart started it off in the
lead to break trail. A heavy growth
Of shrub interspersed with rock and
cactus covered the slopes; and now all
the trail appeared to be uphill. The
pack-train forged ahead, and the trail
ing couples grew farther apart. At
noon they got out Of the foothills to
face the real ascent Of the mountains.
Stewart waited for Madeline, and
as she came up he said: "We're going
to have a storm. Shall call q halt
and make camp2"
"Here? Oh mol What do you think
bestf"
swell. II we have a good healthy
thunderstorm 1t will be something new
for your friends. I think we'd be wise
to keep on the 60. There's no place
to make a good camp. If it rains, let
1t rain. The pack outfit is well GOV.
cred. We Will have to get wet"
Surely" replied Madeline; and she
smiled at his inference. She knew
what storm was in that country, and
her guests had yet to experience one.
IF 1t rains, let 1t rain"
Stewart rode on, and Madeline fol.
lowed. The way led In q winding