The Arvada enterprise., 1923-06-14


presently and said:
ats Gene. He's been 6awdlin' out
there on the front porch. and be
knocked to let rs know Miss Ham
mond's brother II eomin."
| Florence hurried into the pArior.
followed BY Madeline. The door stood
open. and disciosed Stewart sitting Oh
the porch Steps. From down the road
came q efatter Of hoofA Madeline
looked out over F1orence's shoulder
and saw . cloud Of dust approaching
and In It she distinguished outlines
cf horses and riders. A warmth spread
o~er her. a little tingls Of stadness,
and the feeling recalled her siriish
love for her brother. What would
he be like after long years!
Looking out. Madeline saw . bunch
Of dusty. wiry horses paving the
gravel and tossing lean heads. Her
swift glance ran over the 1.-the horse
men. trying to pick out the ons who
was her brother. But she could not.
Her glance. however. caught the same
rough dress and hard aspect that char
acterized the cowboy Stewart. Then
one rider threw his reins, leaped
, from the saddle. and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him
ut the door.
Hello, Flo. Where IL sher he
called. eagerly. With that he looked
over her shoulder to espy Madeline.
He actually Jumped 1t her. She
hardly knew the tall form and the
bronzed face but the warm flash Of
blue eyes was familiar. A for him,
he had no doubt Of his sister. 1t ap-
peared, for with broken welcome he
threw his arms around her. then held
her Of and looked searchingiy at her.
"well. sister," he began, when
Florence turned hurriedly from the
door and interrupted him.
al. I think you'd better stop the
wrnngllng out there"
He stared at her. appeared suddenly
to hear the loud voices from the
street. and then. releasing Madeline.
he said:
by George! forgot, Flo There
Is a little business to see to. Keep my
sister In here. pleasA and don't be
fused up. now"
He went out on the porch and called
to his men:
"Shut of your wind. Jscki And
you, too. Blaze! I didn't want you
fellows to come here. But ~ you
would come, you've gut 10 shut up.
This IL my business"
whereupon he turned to essvnrt.
who was sitting on the fencA
Hello. Stewart" hs said.
It was . greeting: but thsrs was
that in The voiss which alarmed
Madeline.
Stewart ssssurely soa up md ~.
surely advanced to the porch.
"Hello. Hammond!" he drsUssd.
Drunk again last nishti'
swell. II you want TO know. md u
it's any Of your mix. yes. I w~s-
pretty drunk" replied Stewart
II was . kind Of cool speech that
showed the cowboy in control Of him
self and master Of the situation-not
an easy speech to follow up with un-
due inquisitiveness. These was q
short silence.
ID II. Stewart" said the speaker.
presently. there's the situation: It's
all over town that you met my sister
last night at the station and-and
insulted her. Gene, you've been on the
wrong trail for some time. drinking
and all that. You're going to the bad.
But Bill thinkA and I think. you're
still n man. We never knew you to
lie. Now what have you to say for
YOURSELF"
"Nohody IL insinuatinE that I am Q
liar" drawled Stewart.
"So.~
swell, I'm glad to hear thnt You
see. Al. was pretty drunk last night,
but not drunk enough to forget the
lenst thing I did. found Miss Ham.
mond waiting alone at the station.
She wore veil, but knew she was
n lady. Of course. imagine. now that
think OF H. TINT Miss Hammond
found my gallantry rather startling.
and"
Al this point Madeline. answering to
unconsIdcred impulse. eluded Florence
and walked ont upon the porch.
Gentlemen" said Madeline. rather
hreathlcssly: md II did not add to
her calmness TO feel Il hot flush In her
cheeks. Il am very new to western
ways, but I think you are iabor!ng
under n mistake. which. In justice to
Mr. stewart. I want TO correct. In.
deed, he was rnthes-rather abrupt
and strange when he came up to me
last night; but rs I understand him
now, I can attribute that 10 his gal.
lan,ry. He was somewhat wild and
sudden and-sentimentxl In his d.
mnnd TO protect me-and Il wns not
clear whether he meant his protection
for Inst night or forever: but am
happy to say he offered me no word
that was not honorable. And he saw
me- safely here to Miss klnRNley's