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Show THE SAUNA SUN, SAUNA, UTAH The Light of Western Stars A Romance b- - Jest as well turn In again. By Zane Grey HURRY, MADELINE1" SYNOPSIS. jon, New Mexico, Madeline Hammond, New York society girl, finds no one to meet her. While In the waiting room, a drunken cowboy enters, asks If she Is married, and He la, l'eaving her terrified. returns with a priest, who goes through some sort of ceremony, and the cowboy forces her to say Si.'' .Asking her name and learning her Identity the cowboy seems dazed. In a shooting scrape outside the room a Mexican Is killed. The cowboy lets a girl, Bonita, take his horse and escape, then to Florence Madeline conducts Kingsley, friend of her brother. Floience welcomes her, learns her story, and dismisses the cowboy. Gene Stewart. Next day Alfred Madeline's Hammond, brother, takes Stewart to task. Madeline exonerates him of any wrong intent Alfred, scion of a wealthy family, had been dismissed from his home because of his dissipation. Madeline sees that the West has redeemed him. She meets Stillwell, Al's employer, typical western ranchman. Stillwell tells her how Stewart beat up the sheriff to save her from arrest and then lit out for the border. Danny Mains, on of Stillwell's cowboys, has disappeared, with some of Stillwell's money. His friends link his nams with ths girl Bonita. Madeline gets a glimpse of life on a western ranch. Stewart sends Madeline hts horse Majesty. She buys out Stillwell and Her Majesty's Rancho becomes famous. She finds her Ilfs work under "The Light of Western Stars. Learning Stewart had been hurt In a brawl at Chtrlrahua, Madeline visits him and persuades him to come to the ranch as the hose of her cowboys, Jim Nels, Nick Steele and "Monty" Price are Madeline's chief riders. They have a feud with Don Carlos vaqueros, who are really guerrillas. Madeline makes Stewart promise that peace Is kept. They raid Don Carlos' ranch for contraband arms. Ill tft-f- CHAPTER X Continued. Stewart, he keel my shouted Don Carlos, as. sweating ano spent, he concluded his arIlim you raignment of the cowboy. must arrest! Senor Stewart a bad man! He keel my vaquero!" Do you hear thet?" yelled Ilnwe. The Dons got you figgered fer thet little Job at El Cajon- last fall." The clamor burst Into a roar. Ilawe began slinking his finger tn Stewarts face and hoarsely shouting. Then a lithe young vaquero, swift as an Indian, gilded under nawes uplifted arm. Whatever the action he Intended, he was too late for Its execution. Stewart lunged out, struck the vaquero, and knocked him off the porch. As he fell a. dagger glittered in the sunlight and' rolled clinking over the stones. The man went down hard and did not move. With the same abrupt violence, and a manner of contempt, Stewart threw Ilawe off the porch, then Don Carlos, who, being less supple, fell heavily. Then the mob backed before Stewarts rush until all were down In the courtyard. The shuffling of feet ceased, the clanking of spurs, and the shouting. Nels and Monty, now by Nick Steele, were as shadows of Stewart, so closely did they follow him. Stewart waved them hack and stepped down Into the yard. Re was absolutely fearless; but what struck Madeline so keenly was his magnificent disdain. Manifestly, he knew the nature of the men with whom he was dealing. From the look of him It was natural for Madeline to expect them to give way before him, which they did, even nawe and his attendants sullenly retreating. Don Carlos got up to confront Stewart. The prostrate vaquero stirred and moaned, but did not rise. You neednt Jibber Spanish to me," You can talk Amerisaid Stewart. can, and you can understand Amerl- Senor va-que- ! have the United States cavalry here In six hours, and you can gamble theyll get what my cowboys leave of you." Don Cailos was either a capital actor and gratefully relieved at Stewarts leniency or else he was thoroughly cowed by references to the troops. Si, Senor! Gracias, Senor! he exclaimed; and then, turning away, he called to his men. They hurried after him, while the fallen vaquero gut to his feet with Stewart's help and staggered across the courtyard. In a moment they were gone, leaving Ilawe and his several comrades behind. Ilawe was spitefully ejecting a wad of tobacco from his mouth and swearing In an undertone about white-livere- d Greasers." He cocked his red eye speculatively at Stewart. "Wal, I reckon as youre so hell-beon doin It up brown thet youll try to fire me olTn the range, too? If I ever do. Pat, youll need to be Just carrlvd off," replied Stewart. now Im politely Inviting you and your deputy sheriffs to leave." Well go; but were cornin back one of these days, an when we do well put you In Irons." Ilawe, If youve got It In that bad for me, come over here In the corral and let's fight It out. You've got It In for me, man to man. Speak up now and prove youre not the cowardly skunk I've always thought you. I've called your hand. Muttering, cursing, pallid of face, Ilawe climbed astride his horse. Ills comrades followed suit. Certain It appeared that the sheriff was contending with more than fear and wrath. Savagely he spurred his horse, and as it snorted and leaped he turned In his Huddle, shaking his fist. His comrades led the way, with their horses clattering Into a cunter. They disappeared through the gate. When, later In the day, Madeline and Florence, accompanied by Alfred and Stillwell, left Don Carlos ranch It was not any too soon for Madeline. The kslde of the Mexican's home was more unprepossessing and uncomfortable than the outside. The halls were dark, the rooms huge, empty, and musty; and there was an air of silence and secrecy and mystery about them most fitting to the character Florence had bestowed upon the place. On the other hand, Alfred's ranch-houswhere the party halted to spend the night, was picturesquely located, small and cozy, camplike In the arrangement, and altogether agreeable to Madeline. The days long ride and the exciting events had wearied her. She rested while Florence and the two men got supper. During the meal it was not lost upon Madeline that Florence appeared unusually quiet and thoughtful. Madeline wondered a little at the cause. She remembered that Stewart had wanted to come with them, or detail a few cowboys to accompany them, but Alfred had laughed at the Idea and would have none of it. After supper Alfred monopolized th conversation by describing what he wanted to do to improve his home before he and Florence were married. Then at an early hour they all re- e, tired. Madellnea deep slumbers were dis- turbed by a pounding upon the wall, and then by Florence' crying out In answer to a call. Get up I Throw some clothes on and come outl" It was Alfred's voice. Whats the matter I" asked Florence, as she slipped out of bed. Alfred, is there anything wrong?" added Madeline, sitting up. The room was dark as pitch, bnt a faint glow seemed to mark the position of the window. "Oh, nothing much," replied Alfred. Only Don Carlos' rancho going up In smoke." "Fire 1" cried Florence, sharply. Youll think ao when you see It llurry out. Florence helped Madeline to dress. Then they hurriedly stumbled over chairs, and, passing through the dining room, went out upon the porch. Away to the westward, low down along the horizon, she saw leaping red columns of flames and wind-swesmoke. Stillwell appeared greatly per-turbe- Al, Im lookin' fer that ammunition There was to blow up, he said. enough of It to blow the roof off the nor Stewart, He Keel My Vaquerol" Shouted Don Carlos. can. If you start a rough-hous- e here you and your Greasers will be cleaned up. Youve got to leave this ranch. You can have the stock, the packs and traps in the second corral. Theres grub, too. Saddle up and hit the trail Don Carlos, Im dealing more than square with you. Youre lying about these boxes of guns' and catrldges. You're breaking the laws of my coun try, ana youre doing It on property In my chnrgfc. If I let smuggling go on here Id be Implicated myself. Now you get off the range. If you dont X rancho. Bill, surely the cowboys would get that stuff out the first thing, replied Alfred, anxiously. I reckon so. But all the same, Im worryln. Mebbe there wasnt time. Supposin thet powder went off as the boys was goln fer it or carryin It out ! Well know soon. If the explosion doesnt come quick now we can Agger the boys got the boxes out." For the next few moments there was a silence of sustained and painful susFlorence gripped Madelines pense. arm. Madeline felt a fullness in her throat and a rapid beating of her heart. Presently she was relieved with the others when Stillwell declared the danger of an explosion needed to be feared no longer. Sure you can gamble on Gene StewThere Shes smol art," he added. derln down now, Reckon we-a- ll might 1 only three oclock. Copyright by Harper and Brother Arriving at the lonely little railroad station at El Ca- Its Madeline awakened early, but not so early as the others, who were up and had breakfast ready when she went Into the dining room. Stillwell was not In an amiable frame of mind. The furrows of worry lined hls broad brow and he continually glanced at hls watch, and growled because the cowboys were so late In riding over with the news- - He gulped hls breakfast, and while Madeline and the others ate theirs he tramped up and down the porch. Madeline noted that Alfred grew nervous and restless. Presently he left the table to Join Stillwell outside. Theyll slope off to Don Carlos' rancho and leave us to ride home alone, observed Florence. "Do you mind? questioned Madeline. "No, I dont exactly mind; weve got the fastest horses In tills country; but Ive no hankering for a situation Gene Stewart thinks Florence began disconnectedly, and she ended evasively. Madeline did not press the point, although she had some sense of misgiving. Stillwell tramped In, shaking the floor with hls huge boots; Alfred followed him, carrying a field-glas- Not a hoss In sight, complained Stillwell. Somethin wrong over Don Carlos waj. Miss Majesty, itll be Jest as well fer you an Flo to hit the home trail. We can telephone over an see that the boys know youre cornin." Alfred, standing In the door, swept the gray valley with his field-glasor Bill, I see running stock-horse- s cattle; I cant make out which. I guess wed better rustle over there. Both men hurried out, and while the horses were being brought up and saddled Madeline and Florence put away the breakfast dishes, then speedily donned spurs, sombreros and gauntlets. Here are the horses ready, called Alfred. Flo, that black Mexican horse Is a prince. The girls went out in time to hear as he mounted and Stillwells good-bspurred away. Alfred went through the motions of assisting Madeline and Florence to mount, which assistance they always flouted, and then he, too, swung up astride, I guess Its all right, he said, You really must rather dubiously. not go over toward Don Carlos'. Its only a few miles home. Sure Its all right. We can ride, I decant we? retorted Florence. clare he and Al were sure rattled. Florence dismounted and went into the house. She left the door open. Madeline had some difficulty In holding Majesty. It struck Madeline that Florence stayed rather long Indoors. Presently she came out with sober face and rather tight lips. I couldnt get anybody on the 'phone. No answer. I tried a dozen times. Madeline was Why, Florence more concerned by the girls looks than by the Information she Imparted. The wire's been cut, said Florence. .Her gray glance swept swiftly after Alfred, who was now far out of I dont like this a little bit. earshot Heah's where Ive got to Agger, as Bill says. She pondered a moment, then hurried into the house, to return presently with the field-glas- s that Alfred had used. With this she took a survey of the valley, particularly In the direction of Madelines ranch-housThis was hidden by low, rolling ridges which were quite close by. Anyway, nobody In that direction can see us leave heah, she mused. Theres mesquite on the ridges. Weve got cover long enough to save us till we can see what's ahead. Florence, what what do you expect? asked Madeline, nervously. I don't know. There's never any I wish Bill telling about Greasers. and Al hadn't left us. Still, come to think of that, they couldnt help us much in case of a chase. Wed run right away from them. Besides, theyd shoot. I guess I'm as well satisfied that weve got the Job of getting home on our own hands. We dont dare follow Al toward Don Carlos ranch. We know there's trouble over there. So all thats left Is to lilt the trail for home. Come, lets ride. You stick like a Spanish needle to me. A heavy growth of mesquite covered the top of the first ridge, and the trail went through It. Florence appeared cautious, deliberate, yet she lost no time. She was ominously silent. Madeline's misgivings took definite shape In the fear of vaqueros In ambush. Upon the ascent of the third ridge, which Madeline remembered was the last uneven ground between the point she had reached and home, Florence exercised even more guarded care In Before she reached the advancing. top of this ridge she dismounted, looped her bridle round a dead snag, and, motioning Madeline to wait, she slipped ahead through the mesquite out of sight. Madeline waited, anxiously listening and watching. All ofi a sudden she saw Majestys ears were held up. Then Florence's face, now strangely white, showed round th turn of Theyve not seen or heard ns Wed better risk riding ahead, cut off the trail, and beat them to the ranch. Madeline, youre white as death! Dont faint now I I shall not faint. Bat you frighten me. Is there danger? What shall we ridge I yet do? I Theres Madeline, danger. wouldn't deceive you, went on Florence, In earnest whisper. We should Al should have listened to Gene! I believe Im afraid Gene knew! Knew what? asked Madeline. We Listen. Never mind now. daren't take the back trail. Well go on. Ive a scheme to fool that grinning Don fcarlos. Get down, Madeline hurry 1 Madeline dismounted. Give me your white sweater. Take And that white hat! Hurry, It off She had divested herself Madeline. of sombrero and jacket, which she Heah. Take held out to Madeline. these. Give me yours. Then get up on the black. Ill ride Majesty. Bustle now, Madeline. This Is no time to talk. But, dear, why why do you want ? Ah Youre going to make the vaqueros take you for met You guessed It. Will you I shall not allow you to do anything of the kind, returned Madeline. It was then that Florences face, changing, took on the hard, stern sharpness ao typical of a cowboys. Madeline had faught glimpses of that expression In Alfred's face, and ou Stewart's when he was silent, and on Stillwells always. It was a look of iron and fire unchangeable, unquenchable will. There was even much of 1 ever-increasi- s. y 1 e. the trail. whispered Florence, a warning finger. She reached the black horse and petted him, evidently to still an uneasiness he manifested. Were in for it, she went on. "A whole bunch of vaqueros hiding among ths mesqult over the 1 holding up from something; what that 'was aha did not know. But she remembered Florence, and ahe wanted to look back, yet hated to do ao for fear of th nameless danger Florence had mentioned. Madeline listened for the pounding of pursuing hoofs In her rear. Involuntarily she glanced back. On the mile or more of gray level between her and the ridge there was not a horse, a man, or anything living. She wheeled to look back on the othtw side, down the valley slope. The sight of Florence riding Majesty In zigzag flight before a whole troop of vaqueros blanched Madelines cheek and made her grip the pommel of her saddle in terror. That strange gait of her roan was not hls wonderful stride. Could- Majesty be running wild? It flashed over Madeline that Florence was putting the horse to some such awkward flight as might have been expected of an eastern girl frightened out of her wits. Madeline made sure of this when, after looking again, she saw that Florence, In spite of the horse's breaking gait and the irregular course, was drawing slowly and surely down the valley. Madeline had not lost her head to the extent of forgetting her own mount and the nature of the ground In front. When, presently, she turned again to watch Florence, uncertainty ceased In her mind. The strange features of thut race between girl and vaqueros were no longer In evidence. Majesty was In hls beautiful, wonderful stride, low down along the ground, stretching, with bis nose level and straight for the valley. Between him and the lean horses in pursuit lay an space. He was running away from the vaqueros. Florence wa Indeed riding the wind, as Stewart had aptly expressed hls Idea of flight upon the fleet roan. A dimness came over Madeline's eyes, and It was not all owing to the sting of the wind, JAe rubbed It away, seeing Florence as f ylng dot in a strange blur. What a during, Intrepid This kind of strength and aye, girl splendid thought for a weaker (Ister was what the West Inculcated In a woman. The next time Madeline looked back Florence was far ahead of her pursuers and going out of sight behind a low knoll. Assured of Florences safety, Madeline put her mind to her own ride and the possibilities awaiting at the ranch. She remembered the failure to get any of her servants or cowboys on the telephone. To be sure, a windstorm had once broken the wire. But she had little real hope of such She being the case in this Instance. rode on, pulling the black as she neared the ranch. r It was perhaps fortunate for her, she thought, that the climb up the slope cut the blacks speed so she could manage him. He was not very hard to stop. The moment she dismounted, however, he jumped and trotted off. At the edge of the slope, facing the corrals, he halted to lift hls head and shoot up hls ears. Then he let ont a piercing whistle and dashed down the lane. Madeline, prepared by that warning whistle, tried to fortify herself for a new and unexpected situation; but as she espied an unfamiliar company of horsemen rapidly riding down a hollow leading from the foothills she felt the return of fears gripping at he.r like cold hands, and she fled precipitously Into the house. 'my?' "Give Me Your White Sweater. Take It Off and the White Hat; Hurry, Madeline. violence In the swift action whereby Florence compelled Madeline to the change of apparel. Itd been my Idea, anyhow, if Stewart hadnt told me to do it, said Florence, her words as swift as her hands. Don Carlos la after you you, Miss Madeline Hammond ! He wouldnt ambush a trail for any one else. He wants you for some reason. So Gene thought, and now I believe him. Well, well know for sure In five minutes. You ride the black; Ill ride Majesty. Well slip around through the brush, out of sight and sound, till we can break out Into the open. Then well split. You make straight for the ranch. I'll cut loose for the valley where Gene said positively the cowboys were with the cattle. The vaqueros will take me for you. Theyll' chase me. Theyll never get anywhere near me. And youll be on a fast horse. He can take you home ahead of any vaqueros. But you wont be chased. Im staking all on that. Trust me, Madeline. If It were only my calculation, maybe Id Its CHAPTER XI A Band of Guerrillas. Madeline bolted the door, and, flying Into the kitchen, she told the scared servants to shut themselves In. Then she ran to her own rooms. It was only a matter of a few moments for her to close and bar the heavy shutters, yet even as she was fastening the last one In the room she used as an office a clattering roar of hoofs seemed to swell up to the front of the house! She caught a glimpse of wild, shaggy horses and ragged, dusty men. She had never seen any vaqueros that resembled these horsemen. Vaqueros had grace and style; they were fond of lace and glitter and fringe; they dressed their horses in silvered trappings. But thb riders now trampling Into the drlteway were uncouth, lean, savage. They were guerrillas, a band of the raiders who had been harassing the border since the beginning of the revolution. A second glimpse assured Madeline that they were not all Mexicans. The presence of outlaws In tnat band brought home to Madeline her real danger. 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A novel illuminated gauntlet glova for motorists and traffic controllers has been Invented. On the back of the glove are two electric lamps, one red, the other white. The red light is used by motorists when turning or stopping, and the white light Is used for Inspection, reading signposts, or maps. The battery Is carried In a small pocket on the outside of the gauntlet On the Inside of the thumb and two fingers are small metal contact points, and to light; the lamps one simply closes the finger on the thumb. The Young Philosopher. philosopher was employed In one of the stores at a salary of He told hls employer $6.50 per week. one morning that he was going to leave, having found a better place. echoed hls emA better place? ployer. "What wages are you to get? Six dollars a week. But that Is not as much as you get here. No, said the boy, but then Its better to do less and not get so much than to do more and not get enough. A young because I remember Stewart. That cowboy knows things. Come, this heah's the safest and smartest Madeline way to fool Don Carlos. felt herself more forced than persuaded Into acquiescence. She mounted the black and took up the bridle. In another moment she was guiding her horse off the trail in the tracks of Majesty. Florence led off at right angles, threading a slow passage through She favored sandy the mesquite. patches and open aisles between the trees and was careful not to break a Little Nellies mother was entertainOften she stopped to listen. branch. ing a famous aviator. After he had This detour of perhaps half a mile finished a thrilling story, little daughbrought Madeline to where she could ter sighed deeply and said:'' see open ground, the only Ive clear forgot how It feels to a few miles off, and the cattle dotting sail through the air. the valley. She had not lost her courNellie, salu her mother In a Why, age, but It was certain that these fashocked voice, you were never In the miliar sights somewhat lightened the air In yeur life. pressure uron her breast. Excitement Gracious, mamma! Have you forgripped her. The shrill whistle of a that the stork brought me? gotten horse made both the black and Majesty Magazine. Everybodys Florence quickened the gait jump. down the slope. Soon Madeline saw the edge of the brush, the fered at their hands. grass and level ground. Madeline, hurriedly collecting her Florence waited at the opening be- securities and the considerable money tween the low trees. She gave Made- she had in her desk, ran out, closed line a quick, bright glance. and locked the door, crossed the patio AH over but the ride That'll sure to the opposite side of the house, and, be easy.. Bolt now and keep your entering again, went down a long cornerve ridor, trying to .decide which of the When Florence wheeled the fiery many unused rooms would be best to roan and screamed In his ear Madeline hide In. And before she made up her seemed suddenly to grow lax and help- mind she came to the last room. Just less. The big horse leaped Into thun- then a battering on door or window In dering action. Florences lialr streamed the direction of the kitchen and shrill on the wind and shone gold in the sun- screams from the servant women Inlight. Then hoarse shouts undamped creased Madelines alarm. Madeline's power of movement, and she spurred the black Into the open. lie wanted to run and he was swift. A rude, powerful hand clapped Madeline loosened the relnS laid them round her waiet and swung her loose upon hls neck. HI action was aloft strange to her. He was hard to ride. But he was fast, and she cared for noinrng else. She was running away (TO BE CONTINUED.! ranch-hous- e gray-bleache- d ! 1 d&aatpa |