The Raymer enterprise., 1923-09-06

llgh.nin' might clear this murky air.
Whatever Gene Stewart did that on
lucky night-you tell It."
Madellne's dignity and self-posses-
sion had been disturbed by Stewards
importantly. She broke into swift, dis
connected speech:
"He came into the station-a few
minutes after got there. asked-to
be shown to Q hotel. He said there
wasn't any that would accommodate
married women. He grasped my hand
looked for wedding-ring. Then l
saw he was-he was intoxicated. He
told me he would 60 for hotel porter.
But he came back with a padre-Padre
Marcos. The poor priest was-terribly
frightened. So was I. Stewart had
turned into devil. He fired his gun
at the padres feet. He pushed me
onto bench. Again he shot-right
before my face. IL nearly tainted.
But l heard him cursing the padre
heard the padre praying or chanting
I didn't know what. Stewart tried to
make me say things In Spanish. All
at once he asked my name. ! told
him. He jerked at my veil. took II
OF. Then he threw his gun down
pushed the padre out Of the door. That
was Just before the vaqueros mp
preached with Bonita. Padre Marcos
must have seen them-must have heard
them. After that Stewart grew quick
ly sober. He told me he had been
drinking at weddns-I remember. II
was Ed Linton's wedding. Then he ex-
plaIned-the boys were always gam
bllng-he wagered he would marry the
first girl who arrived at III Cajon. |
happened to be the first one He tried
to force me to marry him. The rest
relating to the assault on the vaquero
i have already told you"
Madeline ended, out OF breath and
painting. with her hands pressed upon
her heavlng bosom.
Have rolled his red eyes and threw
back his head.
'Ilo. no, no. Ho, no, hol Say,
Sneed, you didn't miss any Of II. did
YET Haw, haw! Best | ever heerd In
all my born days. Ho. ho.'
Then he ceased laughing, and with
gllntIng gaze upon Madeline, lnsolent
and vicious and savage, he began to
drawl:
"Wal now. my lady. | reckon your
story, II It tallles with Bonita's an
Padre Marcos, will clear Gene Stew
nrt In the eyes OF the court" Here he
grew slower, more biting, sharper and
harder Of face. But you needn't ex-
pect Pat Have or the court to swalIer
thet part Of your st0ry-about beln'
detained unwlllin'!"
Madeline had not time to grasp the
sense Of his last words. Stewart had
convulslvely sprung upward. white as
chalk. As he leaped at Have Stillwell
interposed his huge bulk and wrapped
his arms around Stewart. There was
a brief, whlrlIng. wrestling struggle
Stewart appeared to be besting the old
cattleman.
Help. boys. help!" yelled Stlllwell.
II cant hold him. Hurry, or there's
goln to be blood spilled"
Nick Steele and several cowboys
leaped to Stlllwell's assistance.
Gene! Why, Gene" painted the old
cattieman. Sure you're locoed-to act
this way. Cool down. Cool down,
Why. boy, It's all right. Jest stand
still-glve us a chance to talk to you.
It's only ole Bill. you know-your ole
pal who's tried to be daddy 10 you.
He's only wantIn' you to hev sanse-to
be cool-to walt"
Let me go. Let me go!" cried
Stewart; and the poignancy Of that cry
pierced MahelIne's heart. Let me 90.
BIZ. II you're my friend. | saved your
life once-over In the desert. You