The Lamar register., 1923-05-02

"Nels. you think 1t useless-any at
tempt to see him-persuade himy'
asked Madeline.
"I shore do, Miss Hammond" re-
piled Nels. gravely. I've seen a few
sun-blinded an locoed an snake
poisoned and skunk bitten cow-punch-
ers in my day, but Gene Stewart beats
'em all. He's shore runnin' wild fer
the divide"
Madeline dismissed Nels. but before
he got out of earshot she heard him
speak to Stillwell. who awaited him
on the porch.
''Bill, put this in your pipe an
smoke It-none of them scraps Gene
has he'd was over a woman 1t used
to he thet when he was drunk he'd
scrap over every pretty Greaser girl
he'd run across. Wal, Genes scrap
pin now is Jest to git shot mp his
self. for some reason thet only God
Almighty knows"
Nels' story OF how Stewart wept
over his horse Influenced Madeline
powerfully. Her next move was TO
persuade Alfred TO see If he could not
do better with this doggedly bent COW
boy. Alfred needed only a word OF
persuasion, for he said he had con-
sidered going to Rodeo of his own
accord. He went, and returned alone,
Majesty. can't explain Stewnrt's
singular nctiuns," said Alfred. He
has changed terribly. | fancy his once
magnificent strength is breaking. 1t
It actually hurt me to look at him.
couldn't have fetched him back here
not as he is now. Bill did all any man
could do for another. We've all done
our best for Stewart. If you'd been
given chance perhaps you could have
saved him. But it's too late. Put II
Out Of mind now. dear"
Madeline. however. did not forget
nor give II up. Days passed. and
each one brought additional gossip Of
Stewart's headlong career toward the
Yuma penitentinry. For he had crossed
the line into Cochise county, Arizona,
where sherlffs kept a stricter observ-
nnce Of law. Finally Il letter came
from friend OF Nels' In Chiricahua
saying that Stewart had been hurt In
a brawl there. This epistle inclosed q
letter to Stewart from his sister. Evil
IDENTIFY. II had been found upon him.
II told a story of Illness and made an
appeal for aid Sels' friend forwarded
this letter without Stewards knowl-
edge. thinking Stllwell might care TO
help Stewards family. Stewart had
10 money, he said.
The sisters letter found its way to
Madeline. She read II, tears in her
eyes. II told Madeline much more
than Its brief story Of illness and pov.
erty and wonder why Gene had not
written home for so long. II told Of
notherly love. sisterly love. brotherly
lOve-dear family ties that had not
been broken. II spoke Of pride In this
III Captain brother who had become
famous. II was signed your loving
sister Lefty"
Not lmprobably. Madeline revolved
In her mind, this letter was one reason
for Stewards headstrong, long-contin-
ued abatement. IL had been received
too lHte-after he had squandered the
money that would have meant so much
To mother and sister. BE that as Il
might. Madeline Immediately sent a
bank draft to Stewards sister with a
letter explaining that the money was
drawn In advance on Stewards salary.
This done. she impulsively determined
TO 90 to Chiricahua herself.
Nels, when Madeline asked him to
accompany her to Chiricahua. replied.
reluctantly. that he would rather fol-
low on his horse However she pre-
vailed over his hesltancy. and with
Florence also in the car they set out.
For miles and miles the valley road
was smooth hard-packed. and slightly
downhIll And when speeding was
perfectly safe, Madeline was not
averse' to It. And when the car
stopped In the wide, dusty street OF
ChIricahua Nels gladly tumbled out.
"Nels, we shall wait here in the car
while you find Stewart" said Made
line.
Nels crossed the railroad track and
disappeared behind the low. fiat
houses. After a little time he reap
peared and hurried up to the car.
Miss Hammond. l found him." said
Nels. "He was sleepln'. woke him.
He's sober an not bad hurt; but I
don't believe you ought to see him.
Mebbe Florence"
"Nels. l want to see him myself.
Why not1 What did he say when you
told him / was here7'