Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-11-08

MISS Hammond, SneS Sa1e an al
most well, an what feared most amt
so, thank God" he cried. "Sure I'll
never be able to pay you for all you've
done for her. She's told me how she
was dragged down here, how Gene
tried to save her, how you spoke up
for Gene an her, too, how Monty at
the last throwed his guns. Poor
Monty! We were good friends, Monty
an I. There's Nels an Nick an Gene,
he's been some friend to me; but
Monty Price was-he was grand. He
never knew, any more than you or
Bill, here, or the boys, what Bonita
was to me-.
Stillweli's kind and heavy hand fell
upon the cowboys shoulder.
Danny, what's all this queer gab?"
he asked. "An' you're takin' some lib
erty with Miss Hammond, who never
seen you before l see you're not
drinkin'. Come, ease up now an talk
sense"
The cowboys fine, frank face broke
into a smile. He dashed the tears
from his eyes. Then he laughed His
laugh had a pleasant, boyish ring-a
happy ring.
bill, old pal, stand bride down a
minute, will your Then he bowed to
Madeline. II beg your pardon, Miss
Hammond, for seemin' rudeness. I'm
Danny Mains An Bonita is my wife.
I'm so crazy glad she's safe an un-
harmed-so grateful to you that-why,
sure it's a wonder / didn't kiss you
outright"
"Bonita's your wife" calculated
Stillwell.
"Sure. We've been married for
months" replied Danny, happily.
Scene Stewart did it. Good old Gene.
1 guess maybe / haven't come to pay
him up for all he's done for me! You
see, I've been in love with Bonita for
two years. An Gene-you know, Bill,
what way Gene has with girls-he
was-well. he was tryin' to get Bonita
to have me-"
Madeline's quick, varying emotions
were swallowed up in boundless
gladness. Something dark, deep, heavy,
and somber was flooded from her
heart. She had a sudden rich sense of
| gratitude toward this smiling, clean
| faced cowboy whose blue eyes flashed
through tears.
Danny Mains!" she said, tremulous-
ly and smilingly. "If you are as glad
as your news has made me-if you
really think I merit such q reward
you may kiss me outright"
| With bashful wonder, but with
right hearty will, Danny Mains awaited
himself of this gracious privilege.
Stillwell snorted. The signs Of his
phenomenal smile were manifest, 9TH
erwise Madeline would have thought
that snort an indication Of furious dis
I approval.
"Bill, straddle a. chair" caid Danny
you've gone back heap these last
few months, frettin' over your bad
boys, Danny an Gene. You'll need
support under you while I'm THROWN
my yarn. Story of my life, BILL" He
placed a chair for Madeline. "Miss
Hammond, begin your pardon again
/ want you to listen, also. You've the
face an eyes of woman who love.
to hear of other peoples happiness
Besides, somehow, it's easy for me tt
talk lookin' at you"
Walking off the porch, he stood be
fore the weary horse and burro. Wit
the swift violence characteristic o
men Of his class he slipped the pacl
from the burro and threw saddle an
bride from the horse.
He united the pack and, taking
small, heavy sack from 1t, he cam
back upon the porch. Deliberately h
dumped the contents of the sack a
Stillwell's feet. Piece after piece 0
rock thumped upon the floor. TIL
pieces were sharp, ragged, evidentl
broken from ledge; the body Q
them was white in color, with yellov
veins and bars and streaks. Stillwe
grasped up one rock after anothel
stared and suffered, put the rocks t
his lips, dug into them with his shall
ing fingers; then he lay back In hi
chair, head against the wall. and as
gaped at Danny the old smile began t
transform his face.
Danny regarded Stillwell with LOFT
condescension. Now, Bill, what've W
got here. say, offhand?
"Oh, Lord. Danny! I'm afraid
: say. Look, Miss Majesty, jest look ,
| the gold. I've lived among prospe
tors an gold mines fer thirty year
, an / never seen the beat of this"
1.-THE Lost Mine of the Padres
cried Danny, in stentorian voice. "A
! 1t belongs to me I"
Stillwell made some incoherent sour
t as he sat up fascinated, quite besit
: himself.
4 bill, it was some long time al
( since you saw me-" said Danny "Fa
e is, I know how you felt, because Ger
kept me posted happened to II
! across Bonita, an / wasn't goin'
e let her ride away alone, when she to
[ | me she was in trouble We hit III