The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-06-09

ing from his tracks he seemed to leap,
as II q powerful current had shocked
him. Madeline tried to smile to assure
him she was alive and well; but the
Intent in his eyes, the power Of his con-
trClled spirit telling her OF her peril
and his, froze the smile on her lips.
With that he faced the chief and
spoke rapidly in the Mexican jargon
Madeline had always found so difficult
to translate. The chief answered,
spreading wide his hands, one of which
indicated Madeline as she lay there.
Stewart drew the fellow little aside
and said something for his ear alone.
The chiefs hands swept up In q ges-
ture Of surprise and acQuiescence.
Again Stewart spoke swiftly. His
hearer then turned to address the band.
Madeline caught the words aDon
Carlos" and pesos" There was
brief muttering protest which the chief
Numbered down. Madeline guessed
her release had been given by this
guerrilla and bought from the others
of the band. -.
the roam. Majesty reared and snorted
when he saw his mistress PROSTATE.
Stewart knelt, still holding the bride.
"Are you all rightT' he asked.
II think So" she replied, essaying a
laugh that was rather a failure. MY
feet are tied" = -
Dark blood blotted out all the white
from his face, and lightning shot from
his eyes. She felt his hands, like steel
tongs. loosening the bonds round her
ankles. Without a word he lifted her
upright and then upon Majesty. Made
line reeled little In the saddle, held
hard to the pommel with one hand. and
tried to lean on Stewards shoulder
with the other.
"Don't give up" he said.
She saw him gaze furtively into the
forest on all sides. And it surprised
her to see the guerrillas riding away.
Putting the two facts together, Made
line formed an idea that neither Stew.
art nor the others desired to meet with
some one evidently due shortly in the
glade. Stewart guided the roam of to
the right and walked beside Madeline.
steadying her in the saddle. At first
Madeline was so weak and dizzy that
she could scarcely retain her seat.
The dizziness left her presently, and
then she made an effort to ride with.
out help. Her weakness, however, and
q pain In her wrenched arm made the
task laborsome.
Stewart had struck off the trail. r.
there were one, and was keeping to
denser parts Of the forest. Majesty's
hoofs made no sound on the soft
ground, and Stewart strobe on without
speaking. Neither his hurry nor vigil.
ance relaxed until at least two miles
had been covered. The soft ground
gave place to bare, rocky soil. The
horse snorted and tossed his head. A
sound Of spiashing water broke the 81
lence. The hollow opened into wider
one through which little brook Eaur-
INJURED its way over the stones. Maj
esty snorted again and stopped and
bent his head.
HE wants a drink" said Madeline.
"rm thirsty, too. and very tired"
Stewart lifted her out Of the sad
die, and as their hands parted she
felt something moist and warm. Blood
was running down her arm and into
the palm Of her hand.
'Tm-bleeding," she said, a little
unsteadily. "Oh, remember. My arm
was hurt"
She held II out, the blood making
her conscious Of her weakness. Stew.
arts fingers felt so firm and sure.
Swiftly he ripped the wet sleeve. Her
forearm had been cut or scratched.
He washed Off the blood.
why. Stewart. it's nothing. I was
only little nervous. guess that's
the first time l ever saw my own
blood"
He made no reply as he tore her
handkerchief into strips and bound her
arm. His swift motions and his silence
gave her hint Of how he might meet
a more serious emergency. She felt
safe. And because Of that impression,
when he lifted his head and she saw
that he was pale and shaking. she was
surprised. He stood before her folding
his scarf. which was still wet, and
from which he made no effort to re-
move the red stains.
Miss Hammond" he said, hoarsely,
1T was mans hands-a Greaser's fin
gernails-that cut your arm. know
who he was. I could have killed him.
But I mightn't have got your freedom.
You understand? I didn't dare"
Madeline gazed at Stewart, as
founded more by his speech than his
excessive emotion.
S. MY dear boy" she exclaimed. And
then she paused. She could not find
words.
He was making an apology to her
for not killing q man who had laid a
rough hand upon her person. He was
ashamed and seemed to be in q tor
ture that she would not understand
why he had not killed the man. There
seemed to be something Of passionate
scorn In him that he had not been able
to avenge her as well as free her.
Stewart understand. You were
being my kind Of cowboy. I thank
you"
But she did not understand so much
as she implied. She had heard many
stories Of this mans cool Indifference
to peril and death. He had always
seemed as hard as granite. Why