Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-06-28

might, Madeline Immediately sent q
bank-draft to Stewards sister with a
letter explaining that the money was
drawn In advance or Stewards salary.
This done, she impuisively determined
to go to Chiricahua herself.
NeIs, when Madeline asked him to
accompany her to Chiricahua. replied.
reluctantly, that he would rather fol
low on his horse. However. she pre-
vailed over his hesitancy, and with
Florence also 10 the cur they set out
For miles and miles the valley road
was smooth. hard-packed, and slightly
d~ownhIll. And when speeding was
perfectly safe. Madeline was not
ayerse to 1t. And when the car
stopped In the wide. dusty street of
Chlrlcahua Nels gladly tumbled out.
"Nels. we shall wait here In the car
while you find Stewart" said Made
line.
Nels crossed the railroad track and
disappeared behind the low, fiat
houses. After a little time he reap
peared and hurried up to the car.
Miss Hammond, | found him." said
Neis. HE was sieepIn'. | woke him.
He's sober an not bad hurt; but /
don't believe you ought to see him.
Mebbe Florence"
"Nels, ! want to see him myself.
Why not? What did he say when you
told him / was here7"
"Shore | didn't tell him that. / jest
says Huiio, Genet an he says. My
Gawdl Nelsl mebbe amt glad TO see
a human bein'.' He asked me who was
with me, an | told him Link an some
friends. / said I'd fetch them In. He
hOllered at tibet. But | went, anyway.
Now, II you really Will see him. Miss
Hammond, it's a good chance. But
shore it's a touchy matter, an you'll
be some sick at sight of him. He's
layin, in a Greaser hole over here.
Likely the Greasers hev been kind TO
him. But they're shore a poor lot"
Madeline did not hesitate a moment.
Thank you. Nels. Take me at once.
Come. Florence"
They left the car. now surrounded
by gaplng-eyed Mexican children. and
crossed the dusty space to a narrow
lane between red adobe walls. Pass
ing by several houses, NeIs stopped at
the door of what appeared to be all
alleyway leading back. II was filthy.
Hes In there, round tibet first cor
ner. It's a patio. open an sunny. An,
Miss Hammond. II you don't mind. I'll
walt here for you. / reckon Gene
wouldn't like any fellers around when
he sees you girls
FLORENCE, you wait also" said
Madeline. at the doorway, and turned
In alone.
And she had stepped into a broken
down patio Uttered with alfalfa straw
and debris, nil clear In the sunlight.
Upon a bench, back toward her, sat a
man looking out through the rents In
the broken wall. He had not heard
her. Madeline did not recognize Stew
art. The side OF his face exposed to
her was black, bruised. bearded. His
clothes were ragged and soiled. There
we're bits of alfalfa In his hair. His
shoulders sagged. He made n wretched
and hopeless figure sitting there.
Madeline OWNED something of why
Nels shrank from being present.
"Mr. Stewart. 1t is /. Miss Ham
mond, come to see you." she said.
He grew suddenly perfectly motion
less, as IL he had been changed to
stone. She repeated her greeting.
His body jerked. He moved violent
ly as If instInctively to turn and face
this intruder; but a more violent
movement checked him.
Madeline waited. How singular
that this ruined cowboy had pride
which kept him from showing his face
And was 1t not shame more than
go away" he muttered.
e-"Mr. Stewart I" she began. "T have
to help you. WIN you let me?"
For Gods sakei You-you-" he
over the words. go awayi"
Stewart, perhaps 1t was for Gods
sake that l came" said Madeline.
"Surely 1t was for yours
md your sisters" Madeline bit her
for she had not meant to be-
her knowledge of Lefty.
He groaned. and. staggering up to
he broken wall, he leaned there with
his face hidden. Madeline reflected
perhaps the slip of speech had
well.
Stewart, please let me say what /
to say7"
He was silent. And she gathered
courage and inspiration.
"Stillwell Is deeply hurt, deeply
,rieved that he could not turn you back
this-this fatal course. My
Is, also. They wanted TO help
You. And so do l. l have come, think
ny somehow | might succeed where
hey have failed. Nels brought your
listers letter. I'll read IL. l was
,nIy the more determined to try to
,eIp you. and indirectly help your
mother and Lefty. Stewart, we want
'ou To come to the ranch. My cow
,oys are without a capable leader.
80.