Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-12-21
CHAPTER xvili-continued.


ly, ''for he was with me in the waiting
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. heard a wuman's voice
mingling with the others. 1t. too, was
Spanish, and l could not understand.
But the tone was beseeching. Then
heard footsteps on the gravel. Just
OUTSIDE the door then there were
hoarse, furious voices. Il scuffle muf-
fled shot. Ii wOman's 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.
him. Stewart supported her and en-
deavored to calm her. He asked her
II Danny Mains had been shot. or II
he had done the shooting. The girl
said no. She told Stewart that she had
danced a little, flirted little with
vague. and they had quarreled over
her. Then Stewart took her outside
and put her upon his horse. l 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.
''Thets mighty interestin. Miss Ham
mond, most as interestin' as story
book" he said. "Now. since you're so
obligin' witness. I'd sure like to put
question or two. What time did you
arrive at Ell Cajon thet night?"
ut was after eleven O'clock" replied
Madeline.
Nobody there to meet you?"
No"
1.-THE station agent rn' operator both
gomez"
Yes"
How soon did this feller Stewart
show up?" Have continued, with
wry smile.
Very soon after my arrival. think
perhaps fifteen minutes. possibly a
little more"
An what time was the Greaser
ehot 4IeIltu L1dWe WIFI his llllle
eyes cleaning like Goals.
Probably close to half past one. 1t
was two o'clock when l looked at my
watch at Florence Kingsleys house.
Directly after Stewart sent Bonita
away he took me to Miss Kingsley's.
So, allowing for the walk and few
minutes conversation with her, l can
pretty definitely say the shooting took
place at about half past one"
4 Stillwell heaved his big frame step
VIoser to the sheriff
what re you drivin' at?" he roared,
his face black again.
Evidence" snapped Have.
Madeline marveled at this Interrupt
tion; and as Stewart i-resistibly drew
her glance SHE saw him gray-faced as
ashes. shaking. utterly unnerved.
II thank you Miss Hammond" he
said, huskily But you needn't answer
any more OF Hawes questions. Hes
he's It's not necessary. I'll go with
him now. urder arrest. Bonita will
corroborate your testimony in court.
and that will save me from this-this
mans spite"
Madeline, looking at Stewart. seeding
humility she at first took for cow
ardice. suddenly diyined that 1t was not
fear for himself which made him dread
further disclosures of that night, but
fear for her-fear of shame she might
suffer through him.
Pat Have cooked his head to one
side. like n vulture about to strike with
his beak. and cunningly eyed Madeline.
considered as testimony. what
you've said is sure important an con-
elusive But I'm cnlculatin' tibet the
court will want to hev explained why
you stayed from eleven-thirty till one
thirty In tibet waitin' room alone with
Stewart"
His deliberate speech met with what
Madeline imagined remarkable re-
ception from Stewart, who gave tiger
ish start; from Stillwell. whose big
hands tore at the neck of his shirt. as
If he was choking; from Alfred, who
now strobe hotly forward. to be
stopped by the cold and silent Nels;
from Monty Price. who uttered vio-
lent "Aw!" which was both hiss and
roar.
In the rush Of her thought Madeline
could not interpret the meaning of
these things which seemed so strange
at that moment. But they were por-
tentOus Even as she was forming
reply to Hawe's speech she felt a chill
creep over her.
Stewart detained me in the wait
ing room" she said, clear-voiced as
bell. "But we were not alone-all the
time"
For moment the only sound follow
ing her words was gasp from Stew
art Hnwe's face became transformed
with hdeous amaze and joy.
"Detained?" he whispered, craning
his lean and corded neck. "How s
thet?"
"Stewart was drunk. He"
With sudden passionate gesture of
despair Stewart appealed to her:
"Oh. Miss Hammond. don't! don't!
don't! :"
Then he seemed to sink down. head
lowered upon his breast, in utter
shame. Stillwell's great hand swept to
the bowed shoulder. and he turned to
Madeline
Miss Majesty. reckon you'd he
wise to tell ALL" said the old cattle
man. gravely. "There amt one of MS