The Raymer enterprise., 1923-08-30
CHAPTER xvii-continued.

is
Stewart halted again. In the gloom
Madeline discerned log cabin, and
beyond II spear-poInted dark trees
piercing the sky line. She could Just
make out Stewards tall form as he
leaned against his horse. Either he
was listening or debating what to do
perhaps both. Presently he went In.
side the cabin. Madeline heard the
scratching Of match; then she saw a
faint light. The cabin appeared TO be
deserted. Probably II was one OF the
many habltations belonging to pros.
pectors and foresters who lived In the
mountains. Stewart came out again
For long moment he stood as still as
3 statue and listened. Then she heard
him mutter. III we have to start quick
] can ride bareback" With that he
took the saddle and blanket OF his
horse and carried them Into the cabin
"Get on" he sald In a low voice. as
be stepped out of the door.
He helped her down and led her In,
side. where again he struck a match
Madeline caught glimpse Of rude
dreplace and rough-hewn logs. Stew
arts blanket and saddle lay on the
hard.pscked earthen floor.
"Rest a little" he said. I'm going
into the woods a piece to listen. Gone
only q minute or So"
Madeline had to feel round In the
dark to locate the saddle and blanket
When she lay down II was with a
grateful sense of ease and relief. As
her body rested. however, her mind
became the old throngins maze for
sensation and thought. All day she
had attended TO the alert business OF
helping her horse. Now, what had
already happened. the night, the ST.
lence, the proximity OF Stewart and
his strange. stern caution, the posi-.
BILE happenings to her friends-all
claimed their due shnre OF her feel.
Ing She could not sleep; she did not
Try to. i
( Stewards soft steps sounded out.
side. His dark form loomed In the
door. As he sat down Madeline heard
the thump Of gun that he laid be-
side him on the sill: then the thump
OF another as he put that down. too
Tie sounds thrilled her He turned
hIs ear to the wind and listened. Mo.
nonless he sat for what to her seemed
hours.
Then the stirring memory Of the
days adventure, the feeling Of the
beauty Of the night, and strange.
deep seated. sweetly vague conscious,
ness Of happiness portendIng, we're all
burned out In hot. pressing pnIn at the
remembrance Of Stewards disgrace In
her eyes, Something had changed
within her so that what had been an
ger nt herself was sorrow for him. He
was such splendid man. She could
not feel the same she knew her debt
to him. yet she could not thank him.
could not speak to him, She fought
an unlntclllglble bitterness.
Tfen she rested with closed eyes,
and time seemed neither short nor
long. When Stewart called her she
opened her eyes to see the gray Of
dawn. She rose and stepped outside
The horses whlnnIed. In n moment
she was In the saddle, aware OF
crumped muscles and a wearIness Of
limbs. Stewart led or at a sharp trot
into the fir forest. They came to a
trail into which he turned The horses
Travelled steadily; the descent grew
less steep; the frs thInnch out: the
gray gloom frightened
When Madeline rode out of the frs
the sun had arisen and tie foothills
solled beneath her; ana at their edge
where the gray Of valley began, she
saw dark patch that she knew was
the raneh house.