Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-09-28

"Here, you fellows, give me
chance to say word"
AS Stewart appeared the Mexican
girl suddenly seemed vitalized out of
her stupor. She strained at her bonds,
as if to lift her hands beseechingly.
A flush animated her haggard face,
and frer big eyes lighted.
"Senor Gene" she moaned. "Help
me! / so seek. They beat me- rope
me, mos keel me. Oh, help me, Senor
Gene!"
"Shut up, er I'll gag you" said the
man who held Bonita's horse
"Muzzle her, Sneed, If she blabs
again." called Have,
Madeline felt something tense and
strained working in the short silence
Was it only phase Of her thrilling
excitement? Her swift glance showed
the faces Of Nels and Monty and Nick
to be brooding, cold, watchful She
wondered why Stewart did not LOOK
toward Ronita. Ho too hov
6arK-raced, cool. quiet, with something
ominous about him.
"Hawe, I'll submit to arrest without
any FUSS" he said, slowly, IF you'll
take the ropes off that girl"
"Nope," replied the sheriff. "She
got away from me onct. She's hawg-
tied now, an she'll stay hawg-tied."
Madeline thought she saw Stewart
give slight start. But an unaccount-
able dimness came over ner eyes, at
brief intervals obscuring her keen
sight
"All right, let's hurry out Of here"
said Stewart. "You've made annoy
ance enough. Ride down to the cor
raj with me- I'll get my horse and go
with you"
Hold on!" yelled Have, as Stewart
turned away. "Not so fast. Who's
doin' this? You'll ride one Of my
pack-horses, an you'll go in irons"
"You want to handcuff meT queried
Stewart, with sudden swift start Of
passion.
"Want to? Haw, haw! Nope, Stew
art, thet jest my way with hoss-
thieves, raiders Greasers, murderers
an SIGH. See hyar, you Sneed, git off
an put the irons on this man."
The guerrilla called Sneed slid off
his horse and began to tumble in his
saddle-bags.
Stillwell was gazing at Stewart In a
kind Of imploring amaze.
Scene, you amt goin' to stand fer
them handcuffs?" he pleaded.
Eyes," replied the cowboy. BILL
old friend, I'm an outsider here.
These's no call for Miss Hammond and
and her brother and Florence to be
worried further about me. Their
happy day has already been spoiled
on my account. ! want to get out
quick"
"Wal, you might be too d-n consid-
crate Of Miss Hammond's sensitive
feelins" There was now no trace Of
the courteous, kindly old rancher. He
Looked harder than stone. "How about
my feelin's? I want to know If you're
goin' to let this sneakin' coyote, this
last gasp Of the old rum-guzzlin'
frontier sheriffs, put you in irons an
hawg-tie you an drive you off to jail p
EYES," replied Stewart, steadily.
oval, by Gawd! You, Gene Stew
art What's come over you? Why,
man. go in the house, an I'll tend to
this feller. Then tomorrow you can
ride in an give yourself up like a
gentleman"
"No. I'll go. Thanks, Bill, for the
way you and the boys would stick to
me. Hurry, Have, before my mind
changes"
His voice broke at last, betrayine
the wonderful control he had kept over
his passions. AS he ceased speaking he
seemed suddenly to become spiritless
He dropped his head.
When the man Sneed came forward
jingling the iron fetters. Madeline's
blood turned to fire! She would have
forgiven Stewart then for lapsing into
the kind Of cowboy it had been her
blind and sickly sentiment to abhor
This was mans West-a mans game
At that moment, with her blood hot and
racing, she would have gloried in the
violence which she had so deplored
she would have welcomed the action
that had characterized Stewards treat
ment Of Don Carlos; she had in her
the sudden dawning temper Of wom
an who had been assimilating the life
and nature around her and who would
not have turned her eyes away from
| horch ond h1O0dU dQQd
But Stewart held forth his hands tG
be manacled. Then Madeline heard
her own voice burst out in ringing
imperious "Wait!'
Sneed dropped the manacles- Stew
arts face took on chalky whiteness
Have, in a slow, stupid embarrass
ment beyond his control. removed his
sOmbrero in respect that seemed
wrenched from him.
"Mr. Have, I can prove to you that
Stewart was not concerned in any way
whatever with the crime for which you
want to arrest him"
The sherifrs stare underwent blink
ing change. He coughed, stammered
| and tried to sneak ManifeStly he haC