Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-06-08

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no unpleasantness in her life. 1t had
been ordered for her-tranquil, luxu-
rious, brilliant, varied, yet always the
same.
Then Madeline heard Florence rap
on the door and call softly:
Miss Hammond. Are you awaken
awake and dressed, Miss Kings
ley"
Presently there were slow, reluctant
steps outside the front door, then
pause, and the door opened. Stewart
stood bareheaded In the sunlight. Mad
eline's glance ran over him swift
as lightning. But as she saw his face
now she did not recognize 1t. The
mans presence reused in her a revolt.
Yet something In her, the incompre-
hensible side Of her nature, thrilled in
the look Of this splendid dark-faced
barbarian.
"Mr. Stewart, will you please come
in?" she asked, after that long pause.
81 reckon not" he said. The hope
lessness Of his tone meant that he
knew he was not fit to enter room
with her, and did not care or cared
too much.
Madeline went to the door. The
mans face was hard, yet 1t was sad,
too. And 1t touched her.
II shall not tell my brother Of your
your rudeness to me-" she began.
It was impossible for her to keep the
chill out Of her voice, to speak with
other than the pride and aloofness Of
her class Nevertheless, despite her
loathing, when she had spoken so far
1t seemed that kindness and pity fol-
lowed invOrunrafTfy. VI cnoose
overlook what you did because you
were not wholly accountable, and be-
cause there must be no trouble be-
tween Alfred and you. May rely on
you to keep silence and to seal the
lips Of that priest? You will spare
me further distress, will you not,
please"
His hoarse reply was incoherent, but
she needed only to see his working
face to know his remorse and graft
tude.
Madeline went back to her room;
and presently Florence came for her,
and directly they were sitting at break
fast. Madeline Hammond's impress
sion of her brothers friend had to be
reconstructed In the morning light.
She felt a wholesome, frank, sweet
nature. She liked the slow southern
drawl. And she was puzzled to know
whether Florence Kingsley was pretty
or striking or unusual. She had
youthful glow and flush, the clear tan
Of outdoors, a face that lacked the
soft curves and lines Of eastern
women, and her eyes were light gray,
like crystal, steady, almost piercing,
and her hair was a beautiful bright
waving mass.
A sharp knock on the parlor door
interrupted conversation. Florence's
sister went to open it. She returned
presently and said:
"1t's Gene He's been dawdlin' out
there on the front porch, and he
knocked to let US know Miss Ham
monds brother is comm"
Florence hurried into the parlor,
followed by Madeline. The door stood
open, and disclosed Stewart sitting on
the porch steps. From down the road
came clatter Of hoofs. Madeline
looked out over Florence's shoulder
and saw cloud of dust approaching
and In it she distinguished outlines
Of horses and riders. A warmth spread
over her, little tingle Of gladness,
and the feeling recalled her girlish
love for her brother. What would
he be like after long years?
Looking out, Madeline saw a bunch
Of dusty, wiry horses paving the
gravel and tossing lean heads. Her
swift glance ran over the 1.-THE horse
men, trying to pick out the one who
was her brother. But she could not.
Fer glance however, caught the same
rough dress and hard aspect that char
acterized the cowboy Stewart. Then
one rider threw his reins, leaped
FROM the saddle, and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him
at the door.
"Hello, Flo. Where is shew he
called eagerly. With that he looked
over her shoulder to espy Madeline.
He actually jumped at her. She
hardly knew the tall form and the
bronzed face, but the warm fash Of
blue eyes was familiar. AS for him,
he had no doubt Of his sister, 1t ap-
peared, for with broken welcome he
threw his arms around her, then held
her off and looked searchlngly at her
"Well, sister," he began when
Florence turned hurriedly from the
door and interrupted him.
"Al, I think you'd better stop the
wrangling out there
He stared at her, appeared suddenly
to hear the loud voices from the
street, and then, releasing Madeline,
he said:
"By George! forgot, Flo. There
La little business to see to. Keep my
sister in here, please, and don't be
fused up, now"
He went out on the porch and called
to his men:
"Shut off your wind, Jackl And