Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-06-21

III
IDENTIFY he had been carefully dressed
down for this occasion. for there was
no dust on him. nor a kink 10 his beau.
tIful name. nor d mark on his glossy
hide.
"Come hyar, you son-of-a-gun." said
| Stillwell.
The horse dropped his head, snorted,
and came obediently up. He was nei-
Their shy nor wild. Unlocking the stir
Erups from the pommel. Stillwell LET
them fall and began 10 search the sad
die for something which he evidently
expected 10 find. Presently from some
where among the trappings he pro-
duced a folded bit OF paper, n after
scrutinIzIng IT handed IT to AL.
Addressed to you: an I'll bet you
two bits | know what's In It," he said.
Alfred unfolded the letter. read IL,
and then looked at StlllweIl.
"BIll, you're a pretty good guesser.
Genes made for the border. He sent
the horse by somebody. no names men,
toned. and wants my sister to have
him II she will accept"
ANY mention of Danny Mains7'
asked the rancher.
mot a word"
''Thet's bad. Gene'd know about
Danny II anybody did. But he's a
close-mouthed cuss. So he's sure hit
tin for Mexico. Wonder If Danny's
goln'. 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 a cowboy now,
and ms tough as any I've known. But
he of a good family. He was a
college man and a gentleman once. He
went to the bad out here, like so many
fellows go. like I nearly did. Then
he had told me about his sister and
mother. He cared a. good deal for
them. | think he has been a source of
unhappiness to them. IL was mostly
when he was reminded OF this in some
way that he'd get drunk. l have al
ways stuck to him. and | would do so
yet II | had fl chance. You read the
sister. and accept the horse"
In silence Madeline bent her gaze
her brothers face to the letter:
Friend Al: I'm sending my horse
down to you because I'm going away
md haven't the nerve TO take him
where he'd get hurr or fall into
hands.
IF you think it's all right. why, give
aim to your sister with my respects
But If you don't like the idea, Al. or
( she won't have him, then he's for
'ou. I'm hoping your sister will take
lin. She'll be good to him. and she
AN afford to take care of him. And,
While I'm waiting to be plugged by a
ireaser bullet. II ! happen to have
picture In mind of how she'll look
my horse, why, man, It's no
,olng TO make any difference TO you.
She needn't ever know II.
Between vol and me, AL, don't let
or Flo ride alone over Don Carlos
way. If | had time I could tell YOU
omethlng about that slick Greaser.
md tell your sister. II there's ever
ny reason for her to run away from
nybody when she's up on that roam.
ust let her lean over and yell In his
ar. She'll find herself riding the
glnd. So long.
GENE STEWART"
Madeline thoughtfully folded the
and murmured, How he must
)ve his horsei"
"Well. | should say So" replied Al :
red. "Flo will tell you. She's the
My person Gene ever let ride that !
orse. Well. sister mine, how about !
you accept the horse?" !
"Assuredly. And very happy in. I
eed am I to get him. AL, you said, y
.suu<xXN, I