Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-09-20

~ 'at 0OA4 III 1lAtha outG Il
never be able to pay you for all youi'
done for her. She's told me how st
was dragged down here. how Gen
tried to save her. how you spoke u
for Gene an her. too. how Monty 6
the last throwed his guns. Poo
Monty! We were good friends, Mont
an, l.. There's Nels an Nick an Gen,
he's been some friend to me-; bu
Monty Price was-he vas grand. II
never knew, any more than you o
Bill, here. or the boys. what Bonit
WAS to me-"
Stillwell's kind and heavy hand fel
upon the cowboys shoulder.
Danny, what's all this queer gab7
he asked. AN you're takln' some lib
erty with MISS Hammond. who neve
Q you before. | see you're no
drlnkln'. Come, ease up now an tall
sense"
The cowboys fine. frank face broke
INTO a smile. He dashed the tear
from his eyes. Then he laughed. His
laugh had a pleasant. boyish ring-a
happy ring.
"Bill. old pal. stand bride down q
minute. will your" Then he bowed to
Madeline. II beg your pardon. Miss
Hammond, for seem.n' rudeness. I'm
Danny Mains. An Bonita Is my wife.
I'm SO crazy glad she's safe an, un
harmed-so grateful TO you that-why,
sure It's a wonder / didn't kiss you
outright"
"Bonlta's your wIfew calculated
Stillwell.
"Sure. We've been married for
months" replied Danny. happily.
Gene Stewart did II. Good old Gene.
l guess maybe / haven't come to pay
him up for all he's done for mel You
see. I've been In owe with Bonita for
two years. An Gene-you know. Bill,
what a way Gene has with girls-he
was-well. he was tryIn' to get Bonita
TO have me-"
were swallowed up In Il boundless
gladness. Something dark, deep. heavy,
and somber was flooded from her
heart. She had a sudden rich sense OF
gratitude toward this smiling, clean
faced cowboy whose blue eyes flashed
through tears.
Danny Mains - she said, tremulous-
~ and smIlingly. IF you are as glad
MS your new has made me-if you
really think merit such u reward
eos, al Lfoo ~ x,ftwA,f
With a bashful wonder, but with
right hearty viii, Danny Mains availed
himself OF this gracious privilege.
Stillwell snorted. The signs OF his
phenomenal smile were manifest 9TH
Madeline would have thought
that snort an indication OF furious dis
approval
"Bill, straddle a chair" raid Danny.
You've gone back a heap these last
months, frettin' over your bad
boys, Danny an Gene. You'll need
support under you while I'm THROWN
my yarn. Story OF my life, BILL" He
placed n chair for Madeline. Miss
begin your pardon again,
want you to listen, also. You've the
an eyes of a who loves
hear OF other peoples happiness.
Besides. somehow, It's easy for me to
ak lookIn' at you"
Walking Off the porch. he stood be-
ore the weary horse and burro. With
he swift violence characteristic of
men OF his class he slipped the pack
rom the burro and threw saddle and
,ridle from the horse.
He united the pack and. taking a
mail. heavy sack from II, he came
rack upon the porch. Deliberately he
the contents of the sack at
stillwell's feet. Piece after piece of
'ock thumped upon the floor. The
'ieces were sharp, ragged. evidently
'roken from a ledge; the body OF
hem was white In color, with yellow
ems and bars and streaks- Stillwell
up n rock after another.
tared and suffered, put the rocks to
IFS lips, dug into them with his. shak-
ng fingers; then he lay back In his
hair. head against the wall. and as he
aped at Danny the old smile began to
transform his face.
Danny regarded Stillwell with lofty
ondescension. NOW. Bill, what've we
OF here, say. ofrhand?"
"Oh. Lord. Danny I'm afraid to
ay. LOOK, Miss Majesty. jest look at
he gold. I've lived among prospec-
ors an gold mines fer thirty years,
| never seen the beat of this"
'The Lost Mine of the Padresr"
ried Danny, In stentorian voice. "An'
belongs 10 me"
Stillwell made some %incoherent sound
$ he sat up fascinated, quite beside
"Blil. II was some long time ago
nee you saw me-" said Danny. Fact
! l know how you felt. because Gene
ept me posted. happened to run
cross Bonita, an | wasn't goin' to
4 her ride away alone. when she told
he she was In trouble. We hit the
FAIL for the PelonciIlos. Bonita bad
horse. an she was 10 meet him
D on the trail. We got to the noun
aims all right. an nearly starved for
few days TIL Gene found Us. He had
~ In fxu,tk1a Af,rsaIf apt ~~usx~s.