The Arvada enterprise., 1923-09-27

Miss Hammond. she's safe an al
most we'll, an what I feared most ain'l
30. thank God" he cried. "Sure III
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 al
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
BIZ, here. or the boys, what Bonita
was to me-"
stillwell's kind and heavy hand fell
upon the cowboys shoulder.
DANNY. what's all this queer ksb7'
he asked. "An' you're takin' some lib
erty with Miss Hammond. who never
seen you before. 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 q 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 seemln' rudeness. I'm
Danny Mains. An Bonita is my wife.
I'm 30 crazy glad she's safe an un-
harmed-so grateful to you that-why.
sure it's 4 wonder didn't kiss you
outright"
"Bonita's your wife |" calculated
Stillwell.
"Sure. We've been married for
MONTHS" replied Danny. happily.
Gene Stewart did II. Good old Gene.
guess maybe haven't come to pay
him up for all he's done for mel 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 a boundless
gladness. Something dark, deep, heavy,
and somber was flooded from her
heart She had sudden rich sense OF
gratitude toward this smiling. clean
faced cowboy whose blue eyes flashed
through tears.
Danny Mains !" she said, tremulous-
~ and smillngly. 'If you are as glad
rs your news has made me-lf you
really think 1 merit such reward
ysu may kiss me outright"
With bnshful wonder but with
right hearty will, Danny Mains availed
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.
approval.
"Bill. straddle q chair" raid 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 throwin'
my yarn. Story OF my life. BILL" He
placed chair for Madeline. "Miss
Hammond. beggin' your pardon again,
want you to listen. also. You've the
face an eyes Of a woman who loves
to hear Of other peoples happiness.
Besides. somehow. its easy for me to
talk lookin' at you"
Walking of the porch. he stood be-
fore the weary horse and burro. With
the swift violence characteristic Of
men Of his class he slipped the pack
from the burro and threw saddle and
bride from the horse.
He united the pack and. taking a
small. heavy sack from 1t. he came
back upon the porch. Deliberately he
dumped the contents OF the sack at
Stillwell's feet. Piece after piece Of
rock thumped upon the floor. The
pieces were sharp. ragged. evidently
broken from ledge: the body OF
them was white In color, with yellow
veins and bars and streaks. Stillwell
grnsped up one rock nfter another,
stared and suffered. put the rocks to
his lips, dug into them with his shak.
Ing fingers; then he lay back In his
chair, head against the wall. and MS he
Iaped at Danny the old smile began to
transform his face
Danny regarded Stillwell with lofty
condcscension. Now. Bill, whatve we
got here. say. offhnnd7"
"Oh. Lord. Danny! Tn afraid to
say. Look. Miss Majesty. Jest look ut
the gold. I've lived among prospec.
tors an gold mines fer thirty years.
an never seen the beat Of this"
"rhe Lost Mine Of the Padres ~
cried Danny. In stcntorinn voice. "An'
II belongs TO me -
Siilwcll made some incohcrent sound
ns he snt up fascinated. quite beside
himself.
"Bill. II wns some long time ngo
since you saw me-" said Danny "Fnrt
Ia. I know how you felt. because Gene
kept me posted. I happened to run
across Bonita. nm I wasn't goin' to
let her ride away alone. when she told
II,