Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-07-19


sister went to open it. She returned
presently and said:
TITS Gene. He's been dawdlin' out
there on the front porch, and he
knocked to let us know Miss Ham
mond's brother is comm"
Florence hurried into the parlor,
| followed by Madeline. The door stood
open, and disclosed Stewart sitting on
the porch steps. From down the road
came clatter of hoofs. Madeline
looked out over Florence's shoulder
and saw a cloud of dust approaching
and iii it she distinguished outlines
Of horses and riders. A warmth spread
over her, little Jingle Of gladness,
and the feeling recalled her girlish
love for her brother. What would
he be like after long years?
Looking out, Madeline saw bunch
Of dusty, wiry horses paving the
gravel and tossing lean heads. Her
swift glance ran over the 1.-THE horse
men, trying to pick out the one who
was her brother. But she could not.
Her glance, however, caught the same
rough dress and hard aspect that char
acterized the cowboy Stewart. Then
one rider threw his reins, leaped
from the saddle, and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him
at the door,
Hello, Flo. Where Is she" he
called, eagerly. With that he looked
over her shoulder to espy Madeline.
He actually jumped at her. She
hardly knew the tall form and the
bronzed face, but the warm flash Of
blue eyes was familiar. AS for him,
he had no doubt Of his sister, it APP
peared, for with broken welcome he
threw his arms around her, then held
her off and looked searchingly at her.
Swell, sister," he began, when
Florence turned hurriedly from the
door and interrupted him.
"Al, think you'd better stop the
wrangling out there"
He stared at her, appeared suddenly
to hear the loud voices from the
street, and then, releasing Madeline,
he said:
by George / forgot, Flo. There
is little business to see to. Keep my
sister in here, please, and don't be
fused up, now"
He went out on the porch and called
to his men:
"Shut off your wind, Jack! And
you, too, Blaze! / didn't want you
fellows to come here But as you
would come, you've got to shut up.
This Is my business"
Whereupon he turned to Stewart,
who was sitting on the fence.
"Hello, Stewart |" he said.
1t was a greeting; but there was
that in the voice which alarmed
Madeline.
Stewart leisurely got up and lei
surely advanced to the porch.
'Hello, Hammond !" he drawled.
'Drunk again last night?"
swell, If you want to know, and If
it's any Of your mix, yes, I was
pretty drunk" replied Stewart
1t was kind OF cool speech that
showed the cowboy in control Of him
self and master of the situation-not
an easy speech to follow up with I'M
due inquisitiveness. There was a
short silence.
% it, Stewart" said the speaker,
presently, there's the situation: It's
all over town that you met my sister
last night at the station and-and
insulted her. Gene, you've been on the
wrong trail for some time, drinking
and all that You're going to the bad.
But Bill thinks, and I think, you're
still man. We never knew you to
lie. Now what have you to say for
yourself?"
Nobody is insinuating that am a
liar?" drawled Stewart.
mo"
swell, I'm glad to hear that. You
see. Al, was pretty drunk last night,
but not drunk enough to forget the
least thing I did. I found Miss Ham
mond waiting alone at the station.
She wore veil, but knew she was
lady, Of course. I imagine, now that
/ think of 1t, that Miss Hammond
lOullu hy Sulidhtiy ldlhCl StdItlluS,
and"
At this point Madeline, answering to
unconsidered impulse, eluded Florence
and walked out upon the porch.
Gentlemen" said Madeline, rather
breathlessly; and 1t did not add to
her calmness to feel hot flush In her
cheeks, II am very new to western
ways, but l think you are laboring
under mistake, which, In justice to
Mr.. Stewart. want to correct. In
deed, he was rather-rather abrupt
and strange when he came up to me
last night; but as I understand him
now, / can attribute that to his gal
lantry. He was somewhat wild and
sudden and-sentimental In his de-
mand to protect me-and 1t was not
clear whether he meant his protection
for last night or forever; but / am
happy to say he offered me no word
that was not honorable. And he saw
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