Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-06-07

presently and said:
"It's Gene. He's been dawdlin' on
there ON the front porch. and h
knocked to let us know Miss Han
mond's brother Is COMM"
Florence hurried into the parlor
followed by Madeline. The door sto0e
open. and disclosed Stewart sitting OF
the porch steps. From down the roat
came a clatter Of hoofs. Madeline
looked out owe F~lorence's shoulder
and saw a cloud OF dust approaching
and in It she distinguished outlines
Of horses and riders. A warmth spread
over her. a little tingle OF giadness
and the feeling recalled her girIlsh
love for her brother. What would
he be like after long years?
Looking out, Madeline saw a 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 one who
was her brother. But she coul0 not.
Her glance, however. caught the same
rough dress and hard aspect that char
acterized the cowboy Stewart. Then
n rider threw his reins. Ieaped
from the saddle. and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him
at the door.
Hello. Flo. Where is she7" he
called. eagerly. With that he looked
over her shoulder to espy Madeline.
He actually jumped at her. She
hardly knew the tall form and the
bronzed face. but the warm fash OF
blue eyes was familiar. AS for him,
he had no doubt of his sister, II mp
peared. for with broken welcome he
threw his arms around her, then held
her Off 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
~wrangllng out there"
He stared at her. appeared suddenly
to hear the loud voices from the
street, and then. releasing Madeline.
he said:
"By George I forgot. Flo. There
Is n little business to see to. Keep my
sister In here. please. and don't be
fused up, now"
He went out on the porch and called
to his men:
"Shut Off your wind, Jacki And
you, too, Blazel / didn't want you
fellows TO come here. But as you
would come, you've got to shut up.
This is M business"
Whereupon he turned TO Stewart,
who was sitting on the fence.
Hello, Stewart !" he said.
1t was a greeting; but there was
that I'm the voice which alarmed
Madeline.
Stewart leIsurely got up and lei
advanced to the porch.
Hello, Hammond !" he drawled.
Drunk again last night?"
"Well II you want to know. and IL
any OF your mix, yes. I was
drunk" replied Stewart.
1t was a kind Of cool speech that
the cowboy In control OF him
self and master Of the sltuation-not
easy speech to follow up with I'M
due inquisitiveness. There was a
silence.
ID IT, Stewart" said the speaker.
presently. there's the situation: It's
all over town that you mat my sister
last night at the station and-and
her. Gene, you've been on the
wrong trail for some time, drinking
md all that. You're going TO the bad.
But Bill thinks, and i think, you're
still a man. We never knew you 10
lie. Now what have you to say for
yourself?"
Nobody is lnsinuating that l am a
iarg" drawled Stewart.
"No."
swell, Tn glad to hear that. You
zee, AL, I was pretty drunk last night,
,ut not drunk enough to forget the
east thing I did. / found Miss Ham
nond waiting alone at the station.
She wore a veil, but / knew she was
lady, of course I imagine, now that
think of Ii. that Miss Hammond
'ound my ~gallantry rather startling,
md"
At this point Madeline, answering TO
ln~considered impulse. eluded Florence
md walked out upon the porch.
Gentlemen" said Madeline, rather
,reathlessly; and II did not add to
Ter calmness to feel q hot flush In her
heeks, II am very new to western
ways, but I think you are laborlng
a mistake. which. In justice to
Ir. Stewart. I want to correct. In
Iced. he was rather-rather abrupt
nd strange when he came up to me
asst night; but as I understand him
Iow. l can attribute that to his gal
antry. He was somewhat wild and
udden and-sentimeutal In his de- Y
nand TO protect me-and II was not A
lear whether he meant his protection n
or last night or forever; but | am
Apply to say he offered me no word o
hat was not honorable. And he saw y
ne safely here to Miss Kingsley's q
q.
CHAPTER an e
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