The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-06-22

'Thet's bad. Gene'd know about
Danny if anybody did. But he's a
close-mouthed cuss. So he's sure hit
tin for Mexico. Wonder if Danny's
goin', too? Wal, there's two of the
best cowmen ever seen, gone to HI,
an I'm sorry"
: With that he bowed his head and,
grumbling to himself, went into the
house. Alfred lifted the reins over
the head of the horse and, leading him
to Madeline, slipped the knot over her
arm and placed the letter in her hand.
Majesty, I'd accept the horse" he
said. Stewart is only cowboy now,
and as tough as any I've known. But
he comes of good family. He was
college man and gentleman once. He
went to the bad out here, like so many
fellows go, like / nearly did. Then
he had told me about his sister and
mother. He cared good deal for
them. think he has been source of
unhapptness to them. 1t was mostly
when Ne was reminded of this in some
way that he'd get drunk. / have al
ways stuck to him, and / would do so
yet IL / had chance. You read the
letter, sister, and accept the horse"
In silence Madeline bent her gaze
from her brothers face to the letter:
Friend Al: I'm sending my horse
down to you because I'm going away
and haven't the nerve to take him
where he'd get hurt or fall into
strange hands.
''lf you think it's all right, why, give
him to your sister with my respects.
But If you don't like the idea. AL, or
If she won't have him, then he's for
you. I'm hoping your sister will take
him. She'll be good to him, and she
can afford to take care Of him. And,
while I'm waiting to be plugged by
Greaser bullet, if / happen to have
picture in mind Of how she'll look
upon my horse, why, man, it's not
going to make any difference to you.
She needn't ever know it.
Between you and me, AL, don't let
her or Flo ride alone over Don Carlos
way. If / had time 1 could tell you
something about that slick Greaser.
And tell your sister, If there's ever
any reason for her to run away from
anybody when she's up on that roam,
just let her lean over and yell in his
ear. She'll find herself riding the
wind. So long.
"GENE STEWART"
Madeline thoughtfully folded the
letter and murmured, "How he must
love his horseI"
SWELL, should say So" replied Al
fred. "Flo will tell you. She's the
only person Gene ever let ride that
horse. Well, sister mine, how about
twill you accept the horseT
"Assuredly. And very happy in
deed am to get him. AL, you said,
I think, that Mr.. Stewart named him
after me-saw my nickname In the
New York paper?"
eyes"
swell, I will not change his name.
But, AL, how shall I ever climb up on
him? He's taller than I am. What
giant of horsel Oh, look at him
he's nosing my hand. I really believe
he understood what I said. AL, did
you ever see such splendid head and
such beautiful eyes? They are so
large and dark and soft-and human
Oh, am a tickle woman, for I am
forgetting White Stockings"
'Tll gamble he'll make you forget
any other horse" said Alfred. you'll
have to get on him from the porch"
Madeline led the horse to and fro,
and was delighted with his gentleness.
She discovered that he did not need
to be led. He came at her call, fol-
lowed her like a pet dog, rubbed his
| black muzzle against her. Sometimes,
at the turns In their walk, he lifted
his head and with ears forward looked
| up the trail by which he had come,
and beyond the foothills. He was
looking over the range. Someone was
calling to him, perhaps, from beyond
the mountains. Madeline liked him
the better for that memory, and pitied
the hayward cowboy who had parted
with his only possession for very
love Of 1t.
At supper-time Madeline was unusu.
ally thoughtful. Later, when they as
sembled on the porch to watch the
sunset, Stillwelrs humorous com
plainings inspired the inception Of an
idea which flashed up In her mind