The Arvada enterprise., 1923-09-20
CHAPTER xviII-contInued.

"us Aci
Stewart to have been connected with
that assault" went on Madeline. swift
ly, "for he was with me In the waiting
room Of the station nt the moment the
assault was made outside. The door
was open. heard the voices OF quar-,
reling men. The language was
Spanish. heard woman's voice
mingling with the others. 1t. too. was
Spanish, and l could not understand.
But the tone was beseechIng. Then
heard footsteps on the gravel. Just
outside the door then there were
honrse, furious voices, scufile, a muf-
ned shot, q wOman's cry. the thud Of a
falling body. and rapid footsteps OF u
man running away. Next, the gill
Bonita staggered Into the door. She
was white, trembling. terror stricken.
She recognized Stewart, appealed to
him. Stewart supported her and en-
deavored to calm her. He asked her
II Danny Mains had been shot. or II
he had done the shooting. The girl
said no. She told Stewart that she Fad
danced 4 little, f'irted little with
vaqueros, and they had Quarreled over
her. Then Stewart took her outside
and put her upon his horse. saw the
girl ride that horse down the street to
disappear in the darkness"
While Madeline spoke another change
appeared to be working In the man
Have His sharp features nxed In an
-
"Thet's mighty Interestin'. Miss Ham,
mond, most as interestin' as a story
book" he said. "Now, since you're so
obligin' q witness, I'd sure like to put
Q question or two. What time did you
arrive at ri Cajon thst nightr
ut was after eleven O'clock" replied
Madeline.
"NoboIy there to meet your"
"No."
1.-THE station agent an operator both
gomez"
"YeA."
"How soon did this feller Stewart
show upw Have continued, with q
WY smile.
"Very soon after my arrival. think
perhaps fifteen minutes. possibly a
little more"
AN what time was the Greaser
shot1" Queried Have, with his little
eyes cleaning like Goals.
Probably close to hnlf past one. 1t
was two o'clock when looked at my
watch ut Florence Kingsley's house.
Directly after Stewart sent Bonita
away he took me to Miss KinSsley's.
Do. allowing for the walk and q few
minutes conversation with her. l can
pretty definitely say the shooting took
place at about half past one"
Stillwell henved his big frame q step
closer to the sheriff.
"What re you drlvin' at7" he roared.
bis face black again.
Evidence" snapped Haws
Madeline marveied at this Interrupt
lion: and ns Stewart irresistibly drew
Der glance she saw him gray-fnced as
ashes. shaking. utterly unnerved.
Il thank you, Miss Hammond" he
said. huskily. but you needn't answer
any more Of HHwe's questions. Hes
he's It's not necessary. I'll go with
him now. under arrest. Bonita will
eorroh"rnte your testimony In court.
and that will save me from thIs-thls
mans spite"
Madeline, looking Mt Stewart, seeing
. humility she nt first took for COW.
ardlce. suddenly divined that II was not
fear for himself which made him dread
further disclosures Of that night, hut
FEAR for her-fenr OF shame shs might
suffer through him.
Pat Have cooked his head to one
side, like vulturc about TO strike with
hl' be"k. and cunningiy eyed Madeline.
Considered M testimony. what
you've said Ia sure important nn' con.
elusive. Rut I'm calcnlatin' thet the
court will want to hev explained why
you stayed from eleven-thirty TIL one
thirty In thet wnltin' room nlone with
Stewart"
His deliberate speech met with what
Madeline imagined II remarkable rs-
eepfion from Stewart. who gave q tiger
lsh start: from Stiliwail. whose big
hands torr At tho neck Of his shirt, ~
Il he was choking: from Alfred, who
now strobe hotly forward. to bs
stopped by the cold and silent Nsls;
from Monty Price. who uttered q vio.
lent "Aw'" which was both hias and
roar.
In the rush Of her thought Madeline
eould not interpret the meaning n
these thinn which seemed ~ strange
At that moment But they were por-
tent"ua Even M she was forming q
reply 10 Hawe'a speech she felt . chill
erscp over her.
Stewart detained me In the wait.
inr room" she said. clear-voiccd % Q
bcll. "But We were not alone-all the
time
For . moment the only sound follow.
mG her words WAS a gnsp from Stew.
art. Hawc'a fnce became transformed
With hideous amaze and Joy.
ssYN>H = to - ~ ~ ,.ht,,,.nl ..-.t.