Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-10-25

wanted to have fixed in mind her fu-
ture relation to the ranch and the
West When the crucial hour arrived
she found that the West had not
claimed her yet. These old friends
had warmed cold ties.
1t turned out, however, that there
need be no hurry about making the
decision. Madeline would have well
coined any excuse to procrastinate |;
but, as 1t happened, letter from Al
fred made her departure out Of the
question for the present. He wrote
that his trip to California had been
very profitable, that he had a PROPOSE
ton for Madeline from large cattle
company, and, particularly, that he
wanted to marry Florence soon after
his arrival home and would bring a
minister from Douglas for that pur-
pose.
Madeline went so far, however, as
to promise Helen and her friends that
she would go East soon, at the very
latest by Thanksgiving. With that
promise they were reluctantly content
to say goodby to the ranch and to her.
Helen's eyes had a sweet, grave,
yet hooking light as she said: MAI
esty, bring Stewart with you when you
come. He'll be the rage"
Madeline treated the remark with
the same merry lightness with which
it was received by the others; but
oF<o,. AZ <ro;,, ho5 v,,yIIod o11f upd ohp
was on her way home she remembered
Helen's words and looks with some
thing almost amounting to a shock.
Any mention Of Stewart, any thought
of him, displeased her.
"What did Helen meanY unused
Madeline. And she pondered. That
mocking light In Helen's eyes had
been simply an ironical CLINT, Gym
ical CLEAN from that worldly expert
ence so suspicious and tolerant In Its
wisdom. The sweet gravity of Helen's
look had been deeper and more sub
tie thing. Madeline wanted to under
stand 1t, to divine in 1t new rela-
ton between Helen and herself, some
thing fine and sisterly that might lead
to love. The thought, however, re
volving around q strange suggestion
Of Stewart, was poisoned at It's incep-
ton, and she dismissed 1t.
Upon the drive In to the ranch, as
she was passing the lower lake, she
saw Stewart walking listlessly along
the shore. When he became aware
Of the approach of the car he sudden
~ awakened from his aimless saunter-
ing and disappeared quickly in the
shade OF the shrubbery. This was not
by any means the first time Madeline
had seen him avoid a possible meeting
with her. Somehow the act had
panied her. though ,affording her q
relief. She did not want to meet him
face to face.
It was annoying for her to guess
that Stillwell had something to say In
Stewards defense. The old cattleman
was evidently distressed. Several
times he had tried to open converse
ton with Madeline relating to Stew
art; she had evaded him until the last
time, when his persistence had brought
cold and Anal refusal to hear an.
other word about the foreman. Still
well had been crushed.
AS days passed Stewart remained at
the ranch without his old faithfulness
to his work. Madeline was not moved
to kinder frame Of mind to see him
wandering dejectedly around. 1t hurt
her. and because 1t hurt her she grew
all the harder.
A telegram from Douglas heralding
the coming Of Alfred and minister
put an end to Madeline's brooding. and
she shared something Of Florence
Kingsley's excitement. The cowboys
were as eager and gossipy as girls
1t was arranged to have the wedding
ceremony performed in Madeline's
great matchmaker. and the dinner In
the cool. flower-scented patio.
Alfred and his minister arrived al
the ranch in the big white car. They
appeared considerably wind-blown. In
fact, the minister was GREATNESS, al
most sightless, and certainly hatless
Alfred, used az he was to wind and
speed, remarked that he did not won
der at Nels' aversion to riding a feet
ing cannon-bail. The lmperturbable
Link took Off his cap and goggles and
consulting his watch. made his usual
apologize report to Madeline, deplor
ing the fact that teamster and few
stray cattle on the road had held hin
down to the manana time Of only 9
mile q minute.
Arrangements for the weddint
! brought Alfred's delighted approval
/, When he had learned all Florence anf
/! Madeline would tell him he expressed
(; desire to have the cowboys attend
: and then he went on to talk abou
California. where he was going to TAXI
Florence on a short trip.
On the following day Alfred an,
Florence were married. Florence
sister and several friends from f
Gallon were present, besides Madeline
! Stillwell.. and his men. 1t was Alfred
express wish that Stewart attend tn