The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1923-07-26

glade. Stewart guided the roam of to
the right and walked beside Madeline,
steadylnS her In the saddle. At first
Madeline was 80 weak and dizzy TINT
she could scarcely retain her seat.
The dizziness left her presently, and
then she made an effort to ride with.
out help. Her weakness, however, and
pain In her wrenched arm made the
task laborsome
Stewart Ind struck or the trail, II
there were one. and was keeping to
denser parts OF the forest. Majesty's
| hoofs made no sound on the soft
ground, and Stewart strobe on without
speaking. Neither his hurry nor vigil.
ance relaxed until at least two miles
had been covered. The soft ground
gave place to bare, rocky soil. The
horse snorted and tossed his head. A
sound OF splashing water broke the ST.
lence. The hollow opened into n wider
one through which n little brook muir.
INJURED its way over the stones. Mai.
esty snorted again and stopped and
bent his head.
| He wants drink" said Madeline.
I'm thirsty, too. and very tired"
Stewart lifted her out OF the sad.
die. md as their hands parted she
felt something moist and warm. Blood
was running down her arm and into
the palm OF her hand.
"Tm-bleedlng," she said, a little
unsteadlly "Oh, l remember. My arm
was hurt"
She held 1t out the blood making
her conscious of her weakness. Stew.
arts fingers felt so firm and sure.
Swiftly he ripped the wet sleeve. Her
forearm had been cut or scratched,
lie washed OF the blood.
"Why. Stewart. It's nothing. I was
only a little nervous. guess that's
the first time ever saw my own
blood"
lie made no reply a. he tore her
handkerchief into strips and bound her
arm. His swift motions and his silence
gave her hint Of how he might meet
u more serious emergency. She felt
safe. And because Of that Impression.
when he lifted his head and she saw
that he was pale and shaking, she was
surprised. He stood before her folding
his scarf. which was still wet. and
from which he made no effort 10 r..
move the red stains.
"Miss Hammond" no said, hoarsely.
1T was mans hands, Gresser's On.
gsrnails-that cut your arm. l know
who he was. could have killed him,
But mightn't have got your freedom.
You understand didn't dare"
Madeline gnzed at Stewart. a..
founded more by his speech than his
excessive emotion.
My dear boy!" she exclaimed. And
then she paused. She could not ind
words.
He was making an apology TO her
for not killing . man who had laid a
rough hand upon her person. He was
ashamed and seemed to be In q tor.
ture that she would not understand
why he had not killed the man. There
seemed to BE- something Of passionate
scorn In him that he had not been able
10 avsngs her a. well a. free her.
stewart, I understand. You were
being my kind of cowboy. I thank
you"
But she did not understand ~ much
- she implied. She had heard many
stories n this mans cool indifference
20 peril and death. lie had always
seemed a. hard a. granite. Why
should the sight Of y little blood upon
her arm pale his cheek and shake his
hand and thicken his voIce7 What
was there In his nature to make him
lmplors her to zee the only reason he
could not kill IN outlaw The answer
to the nrst question was that he loved
her. II was beyond her to answer the
second. But the secret Of II lay In
the same strength from which his love
sprsnE-sn intensity Of feeling which
seemed characteristic Of these western
men Ct simple. lonely. elemental lives.
All at once over Madeline rushed 4
tide Of realisation u how greatly II
was possible for such a man a. Stewart
10 love her. The thought came to her In
ell it, singular power. All her eastern
lovers who had the grscea that made
them her equals In the sight Of the world
we're without the only great essential
that . lonely. hard life had given 10
Stewart. Nature here struck q lust
balance. Something deep and dim In
the future. MI unknown voice. called
to Madeline and disturbed her. And
bccAss II WAS not = voice to her IN.
'slliEence she deadencd tho ears Of
her warm and throbblng life snd de-.
c!d.d never 10 listen.
"IS II snfe 10 rest q iittIe" abe
asked. II am ~ tired. Perhnps III
be stronger n ! rest"
We're all right now" h. snid. ~
can get You home by midnight. They'll
he some worried down there"