The Raymer enterprise., 1923-09-06
CHAPTER xvlli-continued.


that assault" went on Madeline, swift
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 l heard the voices Of quar-.
reling men. The language was
Spanish. I heard woman's voice
mingling with the others 1t, too, was
Spanish. and l could not understand.
But the tone was beseechlng. Then
heard footsteps on the gravel. Just
outside the door then there we're
hoarse. furious voices. scuffie. a muf.
ned shot. woman's cry. the thud Of a
falling body. and rapid footsteps Of a
man running away. Next. the gi.:
Bonita staggered into the door. She
was white, trembling. terror-strlcken.
She recognized Stewart, appealed to
him. Stewart supported her and en-
deayored 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 lad
danced q little. firted a little with
vaqueros. and they had quarreIed 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 Interestln', Miss Ham.
mond, most rs interestin' as a story
book" he sald. Now, since you're so
obllgin' witness. I'd sure like to put
a question or two. What time did you
arrive Mt Fl Caion thet night?"
ut was after eleven o'clock" replied
Madeline.
Nobody there to meet your"
"No,"
"rhe station agent an operator both
gone
Yes"
''llow soon did this feller Stewart
show upl" Have continued, with a
wry smile.
VERY soon after my arrival think
perhaps fifteen minutes, possibly IL
little more"
An what time was the Greaser
shotT' queried Hawe with his little
eyes cleaning like Goals.
"lrobably close to half past one. II
was two O'Clock when looked at my
watch at Florence kIngsley's house.
Directly after Stewart sent Bonita
away he took me to Miss klngsley's.
30, allowing for the walk and few
minutes conversation with her, can
pretty definitely say the shooting took
place at about half past one"
Stillwcll heayed his big frame a step
closer TO the sheriff.
"What re you drlyIn' att" he roared,
his fnce black again.
Evidence" snapped Have.
Madeline marveled at this Interrupt
fi0n: md as Stewart irreslstlbly drew
her glance she saw him gray faced as
ashes. shaking, utterly unnerved.
Il thank you. Miss Hammond" he
said. huskily. But you needn't answer
any more Of Hawe's questions. Hes
hes It's not necessary I'll go with
him now, under arrest Bonita will
corroh"rate your testimony In court,
and that will save me from thIs-thls
mans spite"
Madeline, looking nt Stewart, seeing
humility she at first took for COW.
ar0ice, suddenly dlvined 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 10 one
Side, like vulture about to strike with
Ms heak. md cunnlngly eyed Madeline.
Considered as testimony. what
you've said Is sure Important an con.
elusive But I'm calruatin' thet the
court Will want TO hev explained why
You stayed from eleven thirty TIL one
thirty In thet wa!tin' room alone with
Stewart"
His deliberate speech met with what
Madeline imagined remarkable re-
ceptlon from Stewart. who gave a tiger
ish start; from StIllwell. whose big
hands tore Mt the neck Of his shirt, as
II he was choking; from Alfred, who
now strobe hotly forward, to be
stopped by the cold and silent Nels:
from Monty Price. who uttered y,o-
lent "Aw" which was both a 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 Dor
tentous. Even as she was forming q
reply to Hnwe's speech she felt chill
creep over her.
Stewart detained me In the wait
Ing room," she said, clear-voiced ns A
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 hideous amaze and Joy.
"Detained?" he whispered. craninc
his lean and corded neck. "How's
thet7
"Stewart was drunk. He"
With sudden passionate gesture Of
despair Stewart apl eaIed to her.