The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-09-14
CHAPTER xvIll-continued.

room of the station at the moment the
assault was made outside. The door
was open. | heard the voices of quar-
reling men. The. language was
Spanish. l heard woman's voice
mingling with the others. 1t, too, was
Spanish. and could not understand
But the tone was beseeching. Then
heard footsteps on the gravel. Just
outside the door then there were
hoarse, furious voices, scuffle, muf-
fled shot, Ia womans cry, the thud Of a
falling body, and rapid footsteps of a
man running away. Next, the girl
Bonita staggered into the door. She
was white trembling. terror-stricken.
She recognized Stewart, appealed TO
him. Stewart supported, her and en-
deavured TO calm her. He asked her
If Danny Mains had been shot. or il
he had done the shooting. The girl
said no. She told Stewart that she had
danced a little, flirted 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 fixed in an
expression Of craft.
'Thet's mighty interestin', Miss Ham
mond, most as iuterestin' as story
book" he said snow. since you're so
obligin' a witness. I'd sure like TO put
question or two. What time did you
arrive at Ell Cajon tibet night?"
ut was after eleven o'clock" replied
Madeline.
Nobody there to meet youT
"NO."
''The station agent IN operator both
gomez"
"les.',
'Eow soon did this Teller Stewart
show up?" Have continued, with a
wry smile.
Very soon after my arrival. l think
perhaps fifteen minutes, possibly a
little more"
AN what time was the Greaser
shot" qIeried Have, with his little
eyes cleaning like Goals.
Probably close TO half past one. II
was two O'Clock when l looked at my
watch at Florence Kingsley's house
Directly after Stewart sent Bonita
away he took me TO Miss Kingsley's.
So, allowing for the walk and a few
minutes conversation with her, | can
pretty definitely say the shooting took
place at about half past one"
Stillwell heaved his big frame step
closer to the sheriff.
What re you drivin' att" he roared
his face black again.
Evidence" snapped Have.
Madeline marveled at this Interrupt
ton; and as Stewart i-resistibly drew
her glance she saw him gray-faced a:
ashes. shaking. utterly unnerved.
Il thank you, Miss Hammond" hi
said, huskily. But you needn't answer
any more Of Hawe's questions. Hes
he's It's not necessary. I'll go will
him now, urder arrest. Bonita viii
corrobOrate your testimony in court
and that will save me from this-thi!
mans spite"
Madeline, looking at Stewart, seem,
humility she at first took for COW
ardice, suddenly OWNED that 1t was no
fear for himself which made him drea,
further disclosures Of that night, bu
fear for her-fear of shame she nigh
suffer through him.
Pat Have cooked his head to on
side, like vulture about to strike wit
his beak. and cunningly eyed Madeline
considered as testimony, wha
you've said Is sure important an con
elusive. But I'm calculatin' tibet tn
court will want TO hev explained VIII
you stayed from eleven-thirty till one
thirty in tibet waitin' room alone wit
Stewart"
His deliberate speech met with wha
Madeline imagined a remarkable re
ception from Stewart, who gave a tiger
fish start; from Stillwerl, whose bi
hands tore at the neck of his shirt, a
II he was choking; from Alfred. VIII
now strobe holly forward, to b
stopped by the cold and silent Nels
from Monty Price, who uttered a VII
lent Jaw" which was both hiss an
q roar
In the rush Of her thought Madelin
could not interpret the meaning {
these things which seemed so strane
at that moment. But they were pc
tentous Even as she was forming
reply TO Hawe's speech she felt chi
creep over her.
stewart detained me in the wal
ing ROOM" she said. clear-voiced as
bell but we were not alone-all til
time"
For moment the only sound follow
1Lg her words was a gasp from Stew
art. Hawe's face became TRANSFORMS
with hideous amaze and joy.
"Detained?" he whispered, cranin
his lean and corded neck. "How
thet?"
Stewart was drunk. He"
With sudden passionate gesture
despair Stewart appealed to her:
"Oh, Miss Hammond, don'tl don't
don'tl :. :"
Then he seemed to sink down, hea
lowered upon his breast. in utt,
shame Stillwell's great hand swept
the bowed shoulder. and he turned
Madeline.
Miss Majesty. l reckon you'd |
wise to tell ALL" said the old cattl
man, graveiy. "There amt one of
who could misunderstood any moti'
or act Of yours Mebbe stroke
lightnin' might clear this murky al
Whatever Gene Stewart did that o
lucky night-yOu tell it."
Madeline's dignity and self-posse
sion had been disturbed by Stewart