The Arvada enterprise., 1923-08-30
CHAPTER XVI
Bonita,

Of the mountain such that had interest
tor them, MadeliI.e's guests settled
quietly down for "a rest, which Made
line knew would soon end In a desire
for civilized comforts. They were al
most tired Of roughing It. Helen's dis
content manifested itself In her re-
mark, II guess nothing Is going to hap
pen, after all"
Madeline awaited their pleasure In
regard to the breaking OF camp; and
meanwhile, as none Of them cared for
more exertion. she took her walks
without them, sometimes accompanied
by one of the cowboys, always by the
stag.hounds. One day. while walking
alone. before she realized II she had
gone a long way down a dim trail
winding among the rocks. 1t was the
middle OF q summer afternoon. and all
about her were shadows of the crags
srossing the sunlit patches. The quiet
was undisturbeA She went on and on
DOT blind to the fact that she was per
haps going too far from camp, but
eisking II because she was sure Of her
way back, and enjoying the Wild
craggy secesses that we're new to her
Finally she came out upon bank that
broke abruptly into q beautiful little
glads. Here she sat down to rest be-
fore undertaking the return trip.
Suddenly Russ. the keener OF the
staghounds, raised his head and
growled. Madeline feared he might
have scented a mountnin-lion or Wild
cat. She quIeted him and carefully
looked around. The little glade was
open and grassy, with here pine tree
there a boulder. The outlet seemed to
60 down into a wilderness OF canyons
and ridges. Looking In this direction
Madeline saw the slight. dark figure Of
. woman coming stealthily along I'M
der the pines. Madeline was amazed.
then a little frightened, for that
stealthy walk from tree to tree was
suggestive OF secrecy. II nothing worse
Presently the woman was Joined by
tall man who carried n package.
which he gave to her. They came on
up the glade and appeared to be talk
ting earnestly. In another moment
Madeline recognized Stewart. She had
no greater feeling OF surprise than had
at first been hers. But for the next
moment she scarcely thought ut all
merely watched the couple approach
Ing. In flash came bnck her former
curiosity MS to Stewards strange nh
senccs from camp, and then with the
return OF her doubt OF HIN the rccog-
nition Of the woman. The small. dark
head, the brown face. the big eyes
Madeline now saw dlstinctly-be-
tonged to the Mexican girl Bonita
Stewart had met her there. This was
the secret OF his lonely trips. taken
ever since he had come to work for
Madeline. This secluded glade was 4
rendezvous He had her hidden there.
Quietly Madeline arose with gcs.
ture to the dogs. and went back along
the trail toward camp. Succeeding her
0rprise was feeling Of sorrow that
Stewards regeneration had not been
complete. Sorrow gave place to In.
sufrerable dIs'rust that while she had
been romancing nbout this cowboy.
Dreaming OF her good Influence over
him. he had been merely base Some
how II stung her. Stewart had been
rothing to her. she thought. We, she
Ind been proud Of him. She tried to
revolve the thing. TO be fair to him.
when every instructive tendency wns
20 cxpcl him. and all pertaining To him,
from her thoughts. And her effort at
sympathy, ut cStcnuH'Inn. failed utter.
iy before her pride EXcrtnC her will.
power, she dismissed Stewart from her
mind.
Madeline did not think OF him aCnln
I'll late that afternoon. when. as she
sas leaving her tent To Join several OF
her guests, Stewart appeared suddenly
In her pnth.
Miss Hammond. saw your tracks
down the trail" he began. eagerly. but
his tone was easy and natural I'm
thinking we'll. maybe you sure got
che IGcn-"
81 do not Wish FOR nm explanation"
interrupted Madeline.
Stewart gave Sigh, start His
manner had scmhlnncr OF tho old,
cool mhnclty As he looked down at
he, II suhtly changed
What c0rontrry Madeline Thought,
to fOcc her before her guests with nm
explanation Of his conduct suddenly
she felt nm Inward flash Of fire that
was pain ~ strange, SO Incompetent.