The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-05-26

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heard loud voices coming from the
house. StillweIl dismounted at the
porch and stalked in at the door. Al
fred leaped OF his horse, helped Flor
;ence and Madeline down, and, bidding
them rest and wait on the porch. he
followed Stifiwell. .--. e. -.rsse
From the corridor came the rafting
Of spurs, tramping Of boots, and loud
| voices. Madeline detected Alfred's
quick notes when he was annoyed:
''"We1l rustic back home, then" he
said. The answer came, "No!" Made
line recognized Stewards voice, and
she quickly Strengthened up. II won't
have them In here" went on Alfred.
Outdoors or in. they've got to be
with us!" replied Stewart, sharply.
Listen, Al" came the boom Of Still.
wells big voice. NOW that we've but
ted in over hyar with the girls. you let
Stewart run things" ..~.-
| Then q crowd Of men tramped pell-
nell out upon the porch. Stewart.
dark-browed and somber, was In the
lead. Nels hung close to him, and
Madeline's quick glance saw that Nels
had undergone indescribable change.
The grinning, brilliant-eyed Don Car
| los came jostling out beside giant,
| sharp featured man wearing a silver
shield. This, no doubt, was Pat Have.
In the background behind Stillwell and
Alfred stood Nick Steele, head and
shoulders over q number Of vaqueros
and cowboys.
Miss HAMMOND, I'm sorry you
came" said Stewart, bluntly. "We're
i'm q middle here. I've insisted that
you and Flo be kept close to US. I'll
explain later. If you can't stop your
ears beg you to overlook rough talk"
With that he turned to the men be-
! mind him: "Nick, take Body, 60 back
I to Monty and the boys. Fetch out that
STUFF. All Of 1t. Rustic, now"
Stillwell and Alfred disengaged
themselves from the crowd to take up
positions in front Of Madeline and
Florence. Pat Have leaned against
post and insolently ogled Madeline and
then Florence. Don Carlos pressed
forward. His swarthy face showed
dark lines, like cords, under the sur
face. His little eyes were exceedingly
prominent and glittering. TO Made
line his face seemed to be bold, hand
some mask through which his eyes
lpiercingly betrayed the evil nature Of
the man.
He bowed low with elaborate and
isinuous grace. His smile revealed bril-
liant teeth, enhanced the brilliance Of
his eyes. He slowly spread deprecatory
hands.
"Senoritas, beg q thousand par
!dons," he said. How strange It was
for Madeline to hear English spoken
in a soft, whiningly sweet accentl
1.-THE gracious hospitality Of Don Car
los has passed with his house."
Stewart stepped forward and, thrust
ing Don Carlos aside, he called, MAKE
way, there!"
The crowd fell back to the tramp of
heavy boots. Cowboys appeared stag
gering out Of the corridor with long
boxes. These they placed side by side
upon the floor Of the porch.
Nov, Have we'll proceed with our
business" said Stewart. "You see
'tnese boxes, don't your
II reckon see a good many things
round hyar," replied Have, meaningly.
"Well, do you intend to open these
boxes upon my say-so?"
"No" retorted Have. "It's not my
place to NEEDLE with property as come
iby express an all accounted fer regu-
lar"
"I'N open them. Here, one Of you
boys, knock the tops off these boxes"
ordered Stewart. mo, not you, Monty.
You use your eyes. Let Body handle
the ak. Rustic, noww
Monty Price had jumped out Of the
crowd into the middle Of the porch.
The manner in which he gave way to
Body and faced the vaqueros was
not significant Of friendliness or trust.
Stewart, you're dead wrong to bust
open them boxes. That's ag'in' the
law" protested Have, trying to inter.
fere.
Stewart pushed him back. Then Don
Carlos, who had been stunned by the
appearance Of the boxes suddenly be-
came active in speech and person.
Stewart thrust him back also. The
Mexican's excitement increased. He
wildly gesticulated; he exclaimed
shrilly In Spanish. When, however, the
lids were wrenched open and an inside
packing torn away he grew rigid and
silent. Madeline raised herself behind
stillwell to see that the boxes were
full Of rifles and ammunition.
There, Have! What did I tell your
demanded Stewart. II came over here
to take charge Of this ranch. I found
these boxes hidden in an unused room.
l suspected what they were. Contra
band goods"
"Wal, supposin' they are? 1 don't
see any call fer sech ALFRED fuss as
you're maxim. Stewart, I calkilate
you're some stuck on your new job an
want to make big show before"
Have, stop singing that kind Of
talk interrupted Stewart. you got
too free with your mouth once beforei
Now here, I'm supposed to be consult
ing an officer OF the law. Will you
taxa charge Of these contraband
goods?"
Say, you're holdin' on high an
mighty" replied Have, in astonish-
ment that was plainly pretended.
"What're Won driyin' at ?"