Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-10-25

began TO nave q better understanding
Of the nature of 1t when they cast of
restraint and pressed forward to kiss
the bride. In all her life Madeline
had never seen bride kissed so much
and SO heartily. nor one SO flushed
and disheveled and happy. This in
deed was a joyful occasion.
The dinner began quietly enough
with the cowboys divided between en-
barrassment and voracious appetites
that they evidently feared to indulge.
Wine. however, loosened their tongues,
and when Stillwell got up to make the
speech everybody seemed to expect Of
him they greeted him with roar.
Stillwell was now one huge, noun
famous smile. He was so happy that
he appeared on the verge ofetears. He
rambled on ecstatically till he came
to raise his glass.
AN now, girls an boys, let's all
drink to the bride an groom; to their
sincere an lastin' love; to their hap
piness an prosperity; to their good
health an long life. Let's drink to
the unitin' Of the East with the West.
No man full Of red blood an the real
breath of life could resist a Western
girl an good boss an Gods free
hand-that open country out there.
So we claim AL Hammond. an may
we be true to him. An, friends, l
think 1t fittin' that we drink to his
sister an to our hopes. Heah's to the
lady we hope to make our Majesty
Heah's to the man who'll come ridin'
out Of the West, fine, big-hearted
man with q fast boss an . strong
rope, an may he win an hold her !
come, friends, drink"
A heavy pound OF horses hoofs and
yell outside arrested Stillwell's
voice and halted his hand In midair.
The patio became as silent AZ an
unoccupied room.
Through the open doors and win
dows of Madeline's chamber burst the
sounds of horses stamping to 4 halt,
then harsh speech of men, and q low
cry Of woman in pain.
Rapid steps crossed the porch. en-.
tered Madeline's room. Nels appeared
in the doorway. Madeline was sur
prised to sc. that he had not been
at the dinner-table. She was dis
turbed at sight Of his face.
Stewart, you're wanted outdoors, IS
called Nels, bluntly. Monty, you
slope out here with me. You, Nick,
an Stillwell-I reckon the rest Of you
he'd better shut the doris an stay in
side"
Nels disappeared. Quick as a cat
Monty glided out Madeline heard
his soft, swift steps pass from her
room into her Office. He had left his
guns there. Madeline trembled. She
saw Stewart get up quietly and with
out any change Of expression on his
dark, sad face leave the patio. Nick
Steele followed him. Stillwell dropped
his wine-glass. As it broke. shivering
the silence, his huge smile vanished
His face set into the old cragginess
and the red slowly thickened into
black. Stillweli went out and closed
the door behind him.
Then there was blank silence. The
enjoyment Of the moment had been
rudely disrupted. Madeline glanced
down the lines of brown faces to see
the pleasure fade into the old familiar
hardness.
whats wrong7' asked Alfred, rath-
er stupidity. The change Of mood had
been too rapid for him. Suddenly
he awakened, thoroughly aroused at
the interruption. I'm going to see
who's butted in here to spoil our din
ner." he said, and strobe out.
He returned before any one at the
table had spoken or moved. and now
the dull red Of anger mottled his fore
head.
TITS the sheriff Of IN Cajoni" he
exclaimed, contemptuously. pat
Have with some Of his touch dep