The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1923-07-12

to ourselves then. But, Stillwell, II
you drive those vaQueros of. won't
they hang around In the foothills7
declare they are bad lot"
Hell have to be forced of" replied
Stewart, quietly. 1.-The DOn's pretty
slick. but his vaQueros are bad actors.
It's Just this way: Don Carlos has
vaqueros coming and going all the
time. They're guerrilla bands. that's
all. And they're getting uglier. There
have been several shooting-scrapes
lately. It's only a matter Of time till
something stirs up the boys here. Still
we'll. you know Nels and Monty and
Nick"
"Sure I know 'em, an you're not
mentionin' one more particular cowboy
In my outfit" said Stillwell. with dry
chuckle and glance at Stewart.
Madeline OWNED the covert mean.
ing. "Stewart, see you carry gun"
che said. pointing to a black handle
protrudlng from sheath swinging low
along his leather chaps.
ayes, ma'am."
"Why do you carry IT." she asked.
SWELL" he said. cts not a pretty
gun-and IT'S heavy"
She caught the inference. The gun
was not an ornament. His keen.
steady, dark gaze caused her vague
| alarm. What had once seemed cool
md audacious about this cowboy was
now cold and powerful and mystical.
| Both her instinct and her intelligence
realized the steel fiber Of the mans
nature. AS she was his employer. she
had the right to demand that he should
not do what was 50 chilllngly manifest
that he might do. But Madeline could
not demand. She felt curiously young
and weak. and the five months Of
western life were MS II they had never
been. She now had to do with a Ques-
ton involving human life. And the
value she placed upon human life and
its spiritual Significance was matter
far from her cowboys thoughts. A
strange idea flashed up. Did she place
too much value upon all human life?
She checked that. wondering, almost
Mortified at herself. And then her
intuition told her that she possessed
far stronger power to move these
primitive men than any woman's stern
rule or order.
Stewart. I do not fully understand
what you hint that Nels and his COM
rades might do. Please be frank with
me. DO you mean Nels would shoot
upon little provocation?"
"Ailss Hammond. as far as Nels Ii
concerned. shooting Is now Just mat
ter Of his meeting Don Carlos
vaqueros. As for Nick Steele and
Monty. they're Just bad men. ind look.
ing for trouble"
GLOW about yourself, Stewart? Still.
wells remark was not lost upon me-"
said Madeline, prompted by curiosity.
stewart. l have come 20 love my
ranch. and care great deal for my
my cowboys. II would DO dreadful II
they were to kill anybody. or especial
ly II one OF them should be killed"
Miss Hammond. you've changed
things considerable out here. but you
| can't change these men. All that's
needed to start them Is . little trou.
bic. And this Mexican revolution Is
bound TO make rough times along some
Of the wilder passes across the border.
We're In line, that's all. And the boys
nre getting stirred up"
Every well. then. I must accept the
Inevitable. ! nm facing n rough time.
And some OF my cowboys cannot be
checked much longer. But human life
Is not for nny man to sacrifice unless
In self-defcnse or In protecting those
dependent upon him. What Stillweli
and you limited makes me afraid OF
Nels and Nick Steele and Monty. Can.
not they be controlled? ! want to feel
that they will not go cunning for Don
Carlos men. I want to avoid all vio-
lcncc And yet when my guests come
| want to feel that they will be safe
from danger or fright or even annoy.
ancc. May ! not rely wholly upon you.
Stewart"
Il hope so. Miss Hammond" replied
Stewart. II was mn instant response,
but none the less fraught with con.
seriousness OF responsibility. lie wait.
cd II moment. and then. MS neither
Stillwcll nor Madeline offered further
speech. he bowed md turned down the
path. his long spurs blinking In the
| gravel.
wal. wal" exclaimed S,illwcil.
''hct's no little Job YOU give him. Miss
| Majesty"
at was II womnn's cunning. Still.
WELL" said Alfred. Majesty. what.
ever nctuatcd you. l, was n stroke OF
diplomacy. Stewart has got good stun
in him. He wns down and out. We'll,
he's made n game fight. and II looks rs
II he'd win. Trusting him. giving him
responsibility, relying upon him. was
the surcst why to strengthen his hold
upon himself. But. Majesty. remcm.
Der he's II composite Of tiger breed
| al ell, h.,he