The Lamar register., 1923-04-11


the accompanying bow, despite their
exaggeration, had kind Of rude
grace. He took two long strides
toward her.
Lady, are you married.
In the past Miss Hammond's sense
of humor had often helped her to over
look critical exactions natural to her
breeding. She kept silence, and she
imagined 1t was just as well that her
veil hid her face at the moment. She
had been prepared to ind cowboys
rather striking, and she had been
warned not to laugh at them.
This gentleman of the range DELHI
erately reached down and took up her
left hand Before she recovered from
her start of amaze he had stripped
Off her glove.
"Fine spark, but no wedding ring"
he drawled. Lady, I'm glad to see
you're not married"
He released her hand and returned
the glove.
You see the only hotel in this here
town is against boarding married
women. Bad business for hotels to
have married women Keeps the boys
away. You see. this isn't Reno"
Then he laughed rather boyishly,
and from that. and the way he
slouched on his sombrero. Madeline
realized he was half drunk. AS she
instinctlvely recOiled she not only
gave him IA keener glance. but stepped
into position where better light
shone on his face. IL was like red
bronze. bold raw. sharp. Like that
Of all women whose beauty and
charm had brought them much before
the world, Miss Hammonds intuition
had been developed until she had
delicate and eNquisitely sensitive per-
ceptiOn OF the nature OF men and OF
her effect upon them. This crude cow
boy. under the influence of drink, had
affronted her; nevertheless, whatever
was in his mind. he meant no Insult.
II shall be greatly obliged to you
II you will show me to the hotel" she
said.
Lady. you wait here" he replied,
swiftly. an 20 fetch the porter"
She thanked him. and as he went
out, closing the door she sat down In
considerable relief. II occurred TO
her that she should have mentioned
her brothers name. Then she fell TO
wondering what living with such un-
couth cowboys had done to Alfred.
She alone OF her family had ever be-
lieved in any latent good In Alfred
survived the two years OF silence.
Waiting there, she again found her
self listening tu the moan OF the wind
through the wires. Then Madeline
heard rapid pattering. low at first
and growing louder. which presently
she recognized Ms the galloping OF
horses. She went to the window,
thinking. hoping her brother had ar
rived. But as the clatter increased
to roar. shadows sped by-lean
horses. flying names and tails, som
breroed riders. all strange and wild
In her sight Recalling what the con
ductor had said. she was at some
pains TO quell her uneasiness. Then
out Of the gloom two figures appeared.
one tall. the other slight The cow
boy entered, pulling disheveled
igure-that of priest, II padre. whose
mantle had manifestly been dis
arranged by the rude grasp of his
captor. Plain 1t was that the padre
was extremely terrified.
Madeline Hammond gazed In bewll-
derment ut the little man. so pale
and shaken. and II protest trembled
upon her lips: bur II was never
uttered. for This halfdrunken cowboy
now appeared TO he II cool grim
smiling devil; and stretching out a
long arm. he grasped her and swung
her back 10 the bench.
'lou stay there he ordered
His voice, though neither brutal nor
harsh nor cruel. had tile unaccuunt-
able effect of making her feel power.
less to move. No man had ever
before addressed her In such II tone.
II was the woman In her that obeyed
not the personality Of proud Made
line Hammond.
The padre lifted his clasped hands
MS n supplicating for his life. and