The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1923-07-05
A Romance
By Zane Grey
Copyright b. Hazpss and Bsothas

valor with the fighting rebels and all
this strange regard for him. especially
that Of her brother, made her exceed
ingly regret the cowboys present be-
havior.
Meanwhile stillwell was 20 earnest
and Jealous that one not familiar with
the situation would have believed he
was trying to md and reclaim his own
son. He made several trips to little
stations In the valley. and from these
he returned with gloomy face. Made,
line got the details from Alfred. Stew
art was going from bad to woese-
drunk. disorderly. savage. sure to
land in the psnitentiarl. Then came
q report that hurried Stillwsll Of to
Rodeo. He returned on the third day.
q crushed man. He had been % Bit
teriy hurt that no one. not even Made
line. could get out Of him what had
happened. He admitted finding Stew
art, falling to influence him and when
the old cattleman got 30 far he turned
purple In the face and talked to him
self. a. II dazed: But Gene was
drunk. He was drunk. or he couldn't
hev treated old Bill like thet!"
Madeline was stirred with an anger
toward the brutal cowboy that was rs
strong as her sorrow for the loyal old
cattleman. And 1t was when StillWell
gave up that she resolved to take q
hand. She yearned to have the faith
In human nature that Stillwell had in
Stewart.
She sent Nels. mounted upon his
own horse. and leading Majesty. to
Rodeo In search Of Stewart. Nels had
instructions to bring Stewart back to
the ranch. In due time Nels re-
turned, leading the roam without a
rider.
"Yep. shore found him." replied
Nels, when questioned. Found him
half sobered up. He'd been In scrap,
an somebody he'd put him to sleep. |
guess. Wal, when he seen tibet roam
boss he let out yell an grabbed him
round the neck The boss knowed
him, all right. Then Gene Rugged the
boss an crled-cried LIKE never
seen no one who cried like he did. |
waited awhile, an was Jest goin' to
say somethin' to him when he turned
on me red-eyed, mad us fire. 'Neis,
he said, I care hi OF a lot fer
tibet boss. an l liked you pretty well,
but II you don't take him away quick
I'll shoot you both Wal. l lit out.
l didn't even git to say howdy to him"
"Nels, you think 1t useless-any at
tempt to see him-persuade himY'
asked Madeline.
II shore do, Miss Hammond" re-
piled Nels. gravely. 1--WE seen few
sun.blinded an locoed an snake
poisoned and skunk-bitten cow-punch-
ers In my day. but Gene Stewart beats
'em all. He's shore runnin' wild fer
the divide"
Madeline dismissed Nels. but before
he got out OF earshot she heard him
speak to Stillwell. who awaited him
on the porch.
"Bill. put this In your pipe an
smoke it-none Of them scraps Gene
has he'd was over . womani II used
to he tlet when ne was drunk he'd
scrap over every pretty Greaser girl
he'd run across. Wal. Genes scrap
pin now Is Jest to cit shot up his.
self. for some reason tibet only God
Almighty knows"
Nels' story Of how Stewart wept
over his horse Influenced Madeline
powerfully. Her next move was to
persuade Alfred to see II he could not
do better with this do8getily bent COW.
boy. Alfred needed only q word OF
persuasion. for he said he had con-
sidereh going to Nodeo Of his own
accord. lie went. and returned alone.
Majesty. can't explain Stewards
singular actions" said Alfred. "He
has changed terribly. l fancy his once
magnificent strength Is breaking It
It actually hurt me to look at him. |
couldn't have fetched him back here
not as he Is now. Bill did all any man
could do for another. We've all done
our best for Stewart. II you'd been
given q chance perhaps you could have
saved him. But It's too late. Put It
out Of mind now. dear"
Madeline. however. did not forget
nor give II M. Days passed. and
each one brought additional gossip OF
Stewards headlong career toward the
Yuma penitentiary. For he had crossed
the line Into Cochise county. Arizona.
where sherins kept strictcr observ.
nnce Of law. Finally a letter came
from friend Of Neis' In Chiricahua
saying that Stewart had been hurt In
a brnwi there. This epistle inclosed n
letter to Stewart from his sister. Evi.
IDENTIFY. Il had been found upon him.
II told = story Of illness and made an
appeal for MD. Nels' friend forwarded
this letter without Stewards knowl.
edge, thinking Stillwell might care to
help Stewards family. Stewart hud
no money. he said.
The sisfer'a leffnr found 10. ~.or o.,