The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-04-21

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She Fought. She Struggled Deeper.
ately. .r- -
this time he affirmed wOnderingly
rather than questioned. -.
Madeline rose and faced him.
eyes, I am"
He slammed his gun back into its
holster. '--s: : --~..z--
"Well. I reckon we won't go on with
1t, then"
with what, sir7 And why did you
force me to say 81 to this priest?"
II reckon that was way I took
to show him you'd be willing to get
married"
"Ohl You-youl :" Words
failed her.
, This appeared to galvanize the cow
boy into action. He grasped the padre
and led him toward the door, cursing
and threatening, no doubt enjoining
secrecy. Then he pushed him across
the threshold and stood there breath
ing hard and wrestling with himself.
"Here-wait-wait a minute. Miss
Hammond" he said, huskily. "You
could fall into worse company than
mine-though I reckon you sure think
not. I'm pretty drunk, but Tm-all
right otherwise. Just wait-a min
ute" 81 = J.. ~,
She stood quiyering and blazing
with wrath, and watched this savage
nght his drunkenness. Madeline saw
the dark damp hair lift from his
brows as he, held It up 10. the cool
wind. = >,
The cowboy turned and began to
talk. -. = ?. -
"You see-I was pretty drunk" ~ he
labored. "There was a fiesta-and q
wedding. do fool things when Pm
drunk. I made a fool bet I'd marry
the first girl who came to town.
II you hadn't worn that veil-the fel-
lows were joshing me-and Ed Lin
ton was getting marrfed-and every
body always wants to gamble. =.
I must have been pretty drunk"
Explanations are not necessary"
she interrupted. 81 am very tired
distressed. The hour Is late. Have
you the slightest idea what it means
TO be a gentleman"
! Hs bronzed face burned q flaming
crimson. 49,. .
: "Is my brother herein town to-
night" Madeline went on. IT,
/ "No.. He's at his ranch"
"But I wired him."
! like as not the message Is over
in his box at the p. o. He'll be In
town tomorrow. He's shipping cattle
FOR Stillwell." =.
Meanwhile must 60 to q hotel.
Will you please" 49,. .
II he heard her last words he
showed no evidence Of It. A noise
outside had attracted his attention.
Madeline listened. Low voices Of men.
the softer liquid tones Of woman,
drifted in through the open door.
They spoke In Spanish, and the
voices grew louder. Then the woman's
voice, hurried and broken, rising
higher, was eloquent Of vain appeal.
The cowboys demeanor startled
Madeline into anticipation Of some
thing dreadful. She was not deceived.
From outside came the sound Of q
;scuffie-a mufiied shot, q groan, the
thud Of a falling body, a woman's
low cry, and footsteps padding away
In rapid retreat. p.
! Madeline Hammond leaned weakly
back In her seat, cold and sick, and
for q moment her ears throbbed to
the tramp Of the dancers across the
way and the rhythm Of the cheap
music. Then into the open door-place
flashed q girls tragic face, lighted by
dark eyes and framed by dusky hair.
The girl reached a slim brown hand
round the side OF the door and held
on a. II to support herself.
SENIOR Geneg she exclaimed; and
breathless glad recognition made q
sudden break In her terror.
! Bonita !" The cowboy leaped to
her. "Giril Are you hurtr
"No, senior"
He took hold Of her. II heard
somebody got shot. Was It DannyT'
"No, senior"
"Did Danny do the shooting7 Tell
me, girl"