Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-10-11
CHAPTER XVI
Bonita.

Bonita.
Having exhausted all the resources
Of the mountain such that had interest
for them, MadeliLe's guests settled
quietly down for 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 1t she had
gone long way down a dim trail
winding among the rocks. 1t was the
middle of summer afternoon, and all
about her were shadows of the crags
crossing the sunlit patches. The quiet
was undisturbed. She went on and ON,
not blind to the fact that she was per-
haps going too far from camp, but
risking it because she was sure Of her
way back, and enjoying the wild,
craggy recesses that were new to her.
Finally she came out upon bank that
broke abruptly into beautiful little
glade. Here she sat down to rest be-
fore undertaking the return trip.
Suddenly Russ, the keener of the
stag-hounds, raised his head and
growled. Madeline feared he might
have scented a mountain-lion or wild
cat. She quoted him and carefully
looked around. The little glade was
open and grassy, with here pine tree,
there 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 s little frightened, for that
stealthy walk from tree to tree was
suggestive of secrecy, If nothing worse.
Presently the woman was Joined by
tall man who carried a package,
which he gave to her. They came on
up the glade and appeared to be talk
Ing 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 at all
merely watched the couple approach
ing. In flash came back her former
curiosity as to Stewards strange alb
sences from camp, and then with the
return of her doubt Of him the recog-
milton Of the woman. The small, dark
head, the brown face. the big eyes
Madeline now saw distinctly-be-
longed 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 q
rendezvous. He had her hidden there
Quietly Madeline arose, with ges-
ture to the dogs, and went back along
the trail toward camp. Succeeding hel
surprise was feeling of sorrow that
Stewards regeneration had not beer
complete. Sorrow gave place to In
| siderable distrust that while she hat
been romancing about this cowboy
dreaming of her good influence ovel
him, he had been merely base. Some
how it stung her. Stewart had beer
nothing to her. she thought, yet sh'
had been proud of him. She tried II
revolve the thing, to be fair to him
when every instructive tendency wa
to expel him, and all pertaining to him
from her thoughts. And her effort a
sympathy, at extenuation failed utter
| iy before her pride. Exerting her will
power, she dismissed Stewart from he
mind.
Madeline did not think of him agail
till late that afternoon, when, as sh
was leaving her tent TO Join several o
her guests, Stewart appeared suddenl,
1 In her path.
miss Hammond, l saw your track
down the TRAIL" he began, eagerly, Blu
his tone was easy and natural. "rn
thinking-well. maybe you sure go
the idea"
II do not wish for an explanation,
interrupted Madeline.
Stewart gave slight start. hi
manner had a semblance of the OLE
cool audacity. AS he looked down 8
her it subtly changed
What effrontery, Madeline though
to face her before her guests with a
explanation of his conduct Suddenl
she felt an inward flash of fire ths
was pain, so strange, SO incomprehel
sible, that her mind whirled. Then al
ger possessed her, not at Stewart, br
at herself, that anything could rous
In her raw emotion. He stood Their
outwardly cool, serene, with leve
naughty eyes upon Stewart; but II
wardly she was burning with rage an
shame.
''Pm sure not going to have 20
think" He began passionately, bl
he broke off, and slow. dull crimso
blotted over the healthy red-brown {