The Winslow mail., 1923-09-07

| so, thank God" he cried. "Sure I'll
never be able to pay you for all you've
done for her. She's told me how she
was dragged down here, how Gene
tried to save her, how you spoke up
for Gene an her, too, how Monty at
| the last throwed his guns. Poor
Monty! We were good friends, Monty
an 1. There's Nels an Nick an Gene,
he's been some friend to me; but
Monty Price was-he was grand. He
never knew, any more than you or
Bill, here, or the boys, what Bonita
was to me-"
StillwelPs kind and heavy hand fell
upon the cowboys shoulder.
Danny, what's all this queer grb ?''
he asked. "An' you're takin' some lib
erty with Miss Hammond, who never
seen you before. see you're not
drinkin. Come, ease up now an talk
sense"
The cowboys fine, frank face broke
into a smile. He dashed the tears
from his eyes. Then he laughed. His
laugh had a pleasant, boyish ring-a
happy ring.
"Bill, old pal, stand bride down a
minute, will you?" Then he bowed to
Madeline. II beg your pardon, Miss
Hammond, for seemin' rudeness. I'm
Danny Mains. An Bonita is my wife
I'm so crazy glad she's safe an un-
harmed-so grateful to you that-why,
sure It's a wonder 1 didn't kiss you
outright"
"Bonita's your wifer' calculated
Stillwell.
''Sure. We've been married for
months" replied Danny, happily.
Gene Stewart did IL. Good old Gene
l guess maybe l haven't come to pay
him up for all he's done for mel You
see, I've been In love with Bonita for
two years. An Gene-you know, Bill,
what q way Gene has with girls-he
was-well, he was tryin' to get Bonita
to have me-"
Madeline's quick, varying emotions
were swallowed up in a boundless
gladness. Something dark, deep, heavy,
and somber was flooded from her
heart. She had a sudden rich sense of
gratitude toward this smiling, clean
faced cowboy whose blue eyes flashed
through tears.
Danny Mains" she said, tremulous-
ly and smilingly. "If you are as glad
as your news has made me-if you
really think 1 merit such a reward
ysu may kiss me outright"
With a bashful wonder, but with
right hearty will, Danny Mains availed
himself of this gracious privilege.
Stillwell snorted. The signs of his
phenomenal smile were manifest, 9TH
erwise Madeline would have thought
that snort an indication of furious dis
approval.
"Bill, straddle a chair" raid Danny.
"You've gone back heap these last
few months, frettin' over your bad
boys, Danny an Gene. You'll need
support under you while I'm throwin'
my yarn. Story Of my life, Bill" He
placed chair for Madeline "Miss
Hammond, beggin' your pardon again,
1 want you to listen, also. You've the
face an eyes Of a woman who loves
to hear Of other peoples happiness.
Besides, somehow, it's easy for me to
talk lookin' at you"
Walking off the porch, he stood be-
fore the weary horse and burro With
the swift violence characteristic of
men of his class he slipped the pack
from the burro and threw saddle and
bride from the horse.
He united the pack and, taking
small, heavy sack from it, he came
back upon the porch. Deliberately he
dumped the contents Of the sack at
Stillwell's feet. Piece after piece of
rock thumped upon the floor. The
pieces were sharp, ragged, evidently
broken from a ledge; the body of
them was white in color, with yellow
veins and bars and streaks. Stillwell
grasped UP one rock after another,
stared and suffered, put the rocks to
his lips, dug into them with his shak-
Ing fingers; then he lay back in his
chair, head against the wall, and as he
SoPNN o. AoLhS thC OAO Slhl1C OSSdA W
transform his face
Danny regarded Stillwell with lofty
condescension. "Now, Bill, what've we
got here, say, offhand?"
"Oh, Lord. Danny! I'm afraid to
say. LOOK, Miss Majesty, jest look at
the gold. I've lived among prospec-
tors an gold mines fer thirty years,
an l never seen the beat of this"
"The Lost Mine Of the Padres !"
cried Danny, in stentorian voice. "An'
it belongs to mel"
Stillwell made some incoherent sound
as he sat up fascinated, quite beside
himself.
"Bill, it was some long time ago
since you saw me-" said Danny. Fact
is, know how you felt, because Gene
kept me posted. I happened to run
across Bonita, an wasn't goin' to
let her ride away alone, when she told
yo,a bo In, fro,,h1o NUo hit ho