The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-06-27
Madeline could hardly control h

"Wal, l reckon | couldn't say. I
only come to you for advice. All I'm
sure of is hat the conceit has got to
be taken out of Monty an Link
"Stillwell, l%isten," said Madeline.
brightly. well arrange a match
game, a foursome, between Monty and
Link and your best picked team. Cas-
Teton, who is an expert golfer. will
umpire. My sister, and friends, and I
will take turns as caddies for your
team. That will be fair, considering
yours is the weaker. Caddies may
coach, and perhaps expert advice is all
that is necessary for your team to de-
feat Monty's."
"a grand idee," declared Stillwell,
with instant decision. when can we
have this match gamer"
"Why. today-this afternoon. Well
all ride ont TO the links"
The Idea was as enthusiastically re-
ceived by Madeline's guests as IT had
been by Stillw ell. Madeline was
pleased to note how seriously they had
taken the old cattleman's story. She
had a little throb of wild expectancy
that made her both fear and delight
in the afternoons prospect.
The June days had set in warm In
fact, hot during the moo hours; and
this had inculcated in her Unsuitable
visitors a tendency to profit by the ex-
perience of those used to the South
west. They INDUCED in the restful
slesta during the heated term of the
day.
Madeline was awakened by Males
tvs well-known whistle and pounding
on the gravel. Their she heard the
other horses. When she went out she
found her party assembled in gala golf
attire, and with spirits to match their
costumes. Castleton, especially. APP
| peared respondent in a golf coat that
beggared description. Madeline had
faint misgivings when she reflected OF
what Monty and Nels and Nick might
do under the influence of that blazing
garment.
"Oh, Majesty" cried Helen, as Mad
cline went up to her horse, don't
make him kneel! Try that flying
mount. We all want to see it. It's so
stunning"
"But that way. too, I must have him
kneel," said Madeline, "or | can't
reach the stirrup. He's so tremen-
dously high"
Madeline had TO yield to the laugh
ing insistence of her friends, and after
all of them except Florence were W
she made Majesty 90 down on one
knee. Then she stood on his left side
facing back, and took a good firm griT
on the bride and pommei and his
name. After she had slipped the toe
of her boot firmly into the stirrup she
called to Majesty. He jumped and
swung her up into the saddle.
Now just to see how 1t ought to be
done watch Florence" said Madeline.
The Western girl was at her best in
~riding-habit and with her horse. II
was beautiful TO see the ease and
grace with which she accomplished
the cowboys flying mount. Then she
led. the party down the slope and
across the fiat to climb the mesa.
Madeline never saw a group of cow
boys without looking them over, almost
unconsciously, for her foreman, Gene
Stewart. This afternoon, as usual, he
was not present. However, she now
had n sense-of which she was wholly
eonscious-that she was both disap-
pointed and irritated. He had really
not beer attentive to her guests, and
he, of all her cowboys, was the n OF
whom they wanted most to see some
thing.
Stewart, however, Immediately
slipped out of her mind as she sur
veyed the group of cowboys on the
links. BY actual count there were six
teen. not including Stillwell. The cow
boys were on dress-parade, looking
very different in Madeline's eyes, at
least, from the way cowboys usually
appeared. SombrerOs with silver
buckles and horsehair bands were in
evidence; and bright silk scarfs, EN-.
%broidered vests, fringed and ornament
ed chaps, huge swinging guns, and
clinking silver spurs lent a festive ap-
%pearance.
oval, you-all raced over, I seem
said Stillwell, taking Madeline's bride,
"Get down-get down. We're sure
amazin' glad an proud. An, Miss
Majesty, I'm offerin' to beg pawdin
for the way the boys are packin' guns.
Mebbe it amt polite. But it's Stew
arts orders"
"Stewart's orders !" echoed Made
line. Her friends were suddenly silent.
81 reckon he won't take no chances
on the boys bein' surprised sudden by
raiders. An there's raiders operatin'
in from the Guadalupes. That's all.
Nothin' to worry over. 1 was just ex-
plainin'."
Madeline, with several of her party,
expressed relief. but Helen showed ex-
element and then disappointment.
"Oh, 1 want something to happen ~
she cried.
Sixteen pairs of keen cowboy eyes
fastened intently upon herpretty, petu-
liant face; and Madeline OWNED, if
Helen did not, that the desired con-
summation was not far off.
$50 do l." said Dot Coombs. at
would be perfectly lovely to have a
real adventure"
The gaze of the sixteen cow boys
shifted and sought the demure face of
his other disconnected girl. Made
line laughed, and Stillwell wore his
strange, moving smile.
Monty and Link, like two emperors,
- -+,1l-inn ocrnrS tho limbs