Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-08-02

I'll t2iEor0s IL WO0&Q ~
met and checked by this man Stewart
who was laundering UP on his fee
horse and as he neared her. so tina
she could see the dark CLEAN of facs
and eyes. she had a strange feeling Of
trust in her dependence upon him.
The big black was SO close TO Made
line and her friends that when Stew
art pulled him the dust and sand
kicked up. by his pounding hoofs flew
in their faces.
"oh, Stewart. what is ity cried
Madeline.
Guess / scared you. Miss Ham
mond.' lie replied "But I'm pressed
for time. There's e gang Of bandits
hiding on the ranch, most likely In a
deserted nut. They held up q train
near Aqua Prieta. Pat Have is with
the posse that's trailing them, and you
know Pat has no use for us. I'm afraid
IL wouldn't be pleasant for you or your
guests TO meet either the posse or the
bandits"
Il fancy not" said Madeline, con
slderably relieved. "We'll hurry back
to the house.
They exchanged no more speech at
the moment. and Madeline's guests
were silent. Perhaps Stewards &C
lions and looks belied his calm words.
His piercing eyes roved round the rim
of the mesa, and his face was as hard
and stern as chiseled bronze.
Monty and Nick came galIoping up.
each leading several horses by the
brides. Nels appeared behind them
with Majesty. and he was having trou-
BILE with the roam. Madeline observed
that all the other cowboys had disap-
peared.
One sharp word from Stewart
Gained Madeline's. horse; the other
horses. however. were frightened and
no. inclined to stand. The men mount
ed without trouble, and likewise Made
line and Florence. But Edith Wayne
and Mrs. Beck, being nervous and al.
most helpless. were with difficulty got.
ten into the saddle.
BEG pardon. but I'm pressed for
time said Stewart. coOlly, as with
iron arm he forced Dorothy's horse
almost to IT'S knees Dorothy, who
was active and plucky. climbed
astride and when Stewart Ioosed his
hold on bit and name the horse
doubled up and began to buck. Dorothy
screamed as she shot into the air.
Stewart. as quick as the horse. leaped
forward and caught Dorothy In his
arms. She had slipped bead down
ward. and, had he not caught her
would have had a serious fall. Stew
art. handling her as II she were a
child. turned her right side up to set
her upon her feet. Dorothy evidently
thought only OF the spectacle she pre-
sented. and made startled motions to
readjust her riding-habit. 1t was no
time 10 laugh, though Madeline felt as
If she wanted 10. Besides, IL was i'm
possible TO be anything but sober with
Stewart TN violent mood. For he had
jumped at Dorothy's stubborn mount.
All cowboys We're masters of horses.
II was wonderful to see him
the vicious animal. He was cruel. per
haps. yet ii was from necessity. When,
presently, he led the horse back TO
Dorothy she mounted without further
Meanwhile. Nels and Nick
had lifted Helen into her saddle.
We'll take the side trail" said
Stewart, shortly. as he swung upon the
big black. Then he led the way. and
the other cowboys frofted in the rear.
1t was a loose trail. The %weathered
seemed TO slide under the feet
II the horses. Dust-clouds formed;
rocks rolled and ratified down cactus
spikes tore at horse and rider. Half
the time Madeline could not distin-
those ahead through the yellow
lust. Ii was dry and made her cough.
The horses snorted. At length the
clouds of dust thinned and Madeline
saw the others before her ride out
upon a level. Soon she was down, and
Stewart also.
The alert. quiet manner of all the
cowboys was not reassuring. AS they
-esumed the ride 1t was noticeable
hat Nels and Nick were far In adj
rance. Monty stayed far In the rear.
Stewart rode with the party.
Madeline knew that they were really
,eing escorted home under armed
,uard.
When they rounded the head Of the
mesa. bringing into view the ranch
and the valley. Madeline saw
lust or smoke lowering over a hut
Ipon the outskirts OF the Mexican
AS the sun had set and the
light was fading. she could not distin-
Iuish which II was. Then Stewart set
fast pace for the house In a few
the party was in the yard,
and willing TO dismount.
StillweI appeared. ostensibly cheer
nj. too cheerful TO deceive Madeline.
noted also that a number of
rmed cowboys were walking with
heir horses just below the house.
"wal. you-all had a nice little run"
said. speaking generally. II
eckon there wasn't much need of IL.
Have thinks he's got some out
aws corralIed on the ranch. N0fhin'