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Show T TI IE TIMES-NEW- NEPHI, UTAH S, he got mnd. He hollered law. He pulled down off the shelf his old stock grudge on Stewart, accusiu' him over siguiu of that Greaser murder last fall. Stewart nuide hliu look like a fool showed him up as beiu' scared of the 8 8 8 .fmmrKrMm mZfflmW " HMMMr CHAPTER XIII. Continued. 11 "Now, Stlllwell, out with it," she aid, briefly. "Wal, Miss Majesty, there's goln' to be a fight somewhere, an' Stewart wanted to get you-al- ! in before it come off. He says the valley's overrun by vaqueros an' guerrillas an' robbers, an' Lord knows what else." He stamped off the porch, his huge spurs rattling, and started down the path toward the waiting men. Stewart stood in his familiar attentive position, erect, silent, with a hand on pommel and bridle. "Stewart, you are exceedingly thoughtful of my Interests," she said, wanting to thank him, and not readily finding words. "I would not know what to do without you. Is there danger?" "I'm not sure. But I want to be on the safe side." She hesitated. It was no longer easy for her to talk to him, and she did not know why. "May I know the special orders you gave Nels and Nick and Monty?" she asked. "Of course 111 tell you if you insist. My orders were that at least one of them must be on guard near you day and night never to be out of hearing of your voice." I thought as much. Stewart, you still think Don Carlos tried to make off with me may try it again?" "I don't think. I know." "And besides all your other duties you have shared the watch with these three cowboys?" "Yes." "It Iras been going on without my knowledge? How long Is it to continue?" "That's hard to say. Till the revolution is over, anyhow." She mused a moment, looking away to the west, where the great void was filling with red haze. She believed Implicitly In him. and the menace hovering near her fell like a shadow upon her present happiness. "What must I do?" she asked. "I think you ought to send your friends back East and go with them, until this guerrilla war Is over." "Why, Stewart, they would be broken-hearteand so would I." He hnd no reply for that. "If I do not take your advice It will be the first time since I have come to look to you for so much," she went on. "Cannot you suggest something else? My friends are having such a splendid visit. Helen Is getting well. Oh, I should be sorry to see them go before they want to." "We might take them up Into the mountains and camp out for a while." he snld, presently. "I know a wild place up among the crags. It's a hnrd limb, but worth the work. I never w a more beautiful spot. Fine wa-- r. and It will be pool. Pretty soon J HI be too hot here for your party to "' IRWIN MYERS --- SmS "H Wg your reason," she replied. "Still, I may offer it again some day. Good- night" He said good-nigand turned. Madeline wonderingly watched him go down the path with his hand on the black horse's neck. She went in to rest a little before dressing for dinner and. being fatigued from the day's riding and excitement, she fell asleep. When she awoke It was twilight. She wondered why her Mexican maid had not come to her, and she rang the bell. The maid did not put in an appearance, nor was there any answer to the ring. The house seemed unusually quiet. It was a brooding silence, which presently broke to the sound of footsteps on the porch. Madeline recognized StlllweU's tread, though It appeared to be light for him. Then she heard him call softly In at the open door of her office. The suggestion of caution In his voice suited the strangeness of his walk. With a boding sense of trouble she hurried through the rooms. He was standing outside her office door. "Stillwell!" she exclaimed. "Please come out on the porch."' She complied and, once out, was enabled to see him. His grave face, paler than she had ever beheld It, caused her to stretch an appealing hand toward him. Stillwell intercepted It and held It In his own "Miss Majesty, I'm axnazln' sorry to tell worrisome news. But It cant be avoided. The fact la we're In a bad fix. If your guests ain't scared out of their skins It'll be owln' to your nerve an' how you carry out Stewart's orders." "You can rely upon me," replied Madeline, firmly, though she trembled "Wal. what we're up against Is this: that gang of bandits Pat Hawe was chasln' they're hldln' in the house !" "In the house?" echoed Madeline, ht aghast "Miss Majesty, it's the amazln' truth. an' shamed indeed am I to admit it Stewart why, he's wild with rage to think it could hev happened. You see. It couldn't hev happened If I hedn't f links. sloped the boys off to the an' If Stewart hedn't rid out on the mesa after us. It's my fault. But now we've got to face it to figger. Now, listen. When Stewart left you an hour or so ago he follered me direct to where me an' the boys was tryin' to keep Pat Hawe from tearln' the ranch to pieces. At that we was helpln' Put all we could to find them bandits. But when Stewart got there he made a dif ference. Pat was nasty before, but seein' Stewart made him wuss. reckon Gene to I'at Is the same as red to a Greaser bull. Anyway, when the sheriff set fire to an old adobe hut Stewart called him an' called him hard. I'at Hawe bed sir fellers with him, an' from all appearances bandlt-huntlwas some fiesta. There was a row, an' It looked had fer a little. But Gene was cool, an' he controlled the boys. go went Then Pat an' his tough me "You mean to hide away among on huntin'. That huntin'. Miss Majesty, flie crags and clouds?" replied Made- petered out into what was only a farce. line, with a laugh. "Well. It'd mount to thnt. Your friends need not know. Perhaps In a few weeks this soell of trouble on the border will be over till fall." "You say It's a hard cllmh up to this gol-lo- placer' "It surely is. Your friends will get the real tMng If they make thnt trip." "That suits me. Helen especially wants something to happen. Very well, I am decided. Stewart, of course you will take charge? I don't believe I Stewart, Isn't there something more you could tell me why you think, why yon know my own personal liberty Is In peril?" "Tea. But do not ask me what It Is. If I hadn't been a rebel soldier I would never have known." "If you had not been a rebel soldier, where would Madeline Hammond be now?" whe asked, earnestly. He made no reply. "Stewart," she continued, with warm Impulse, "yon once mentioned a debt you owed me " And seeing bis dark face pale, she wavered, then went on. "It Is paid." "No, no. That never can be paid." Madeline held out her hand. 'It la paid, I tell you." she repeated. Suddenly he drew back from the outstretched white hand that seemed to fascinate Mm. "I'd kill a man to touch your hand. But I won't touch It on the terms you offer." HI unexpected passion disconcerted ber. "Stewart, no man ever before refused to shake handa with me, for any reason. It It Is scarcely fluttering." he said, with a little lamrh. "Why won't you? Because yon think I offer It aa mistress to servant rancher te cowboy 7 "No." "Then why? The debt yon owed ne la paid. I csncel It So why n"t shake hand upon It, aa men do?" "I won't. That's all." I fear you are ungracloaa. wfcatrr the Hou7- - Echoed Madellna, Aghast. lookln hard fer any wasn't Hawe Pat bandits; he wasn't daid set huntin' anythln', unless It was trouble fer Stewart. Finally, when Paf men made fer our storehouse, where we ammunition, grub, liquors, an' slch, then Gene called a halt. An' he ordpred Put Hawe off the ranch. It was hyar Hswe an' Stewsrt locked horns. An' hyar the truth come out. There was gang of bandits hid somewhere, an' at fust Fat Hswe hed been powerful active an' earnest In his hunt-In- '. Hut sud'lenllkt! he'd fetclnvl a change of heart. He had beert some flustered wlt Stewart's eyes Into his movi, an' then, mebbe to bide omethln', mebbe Jest nat'rul. "In kp bandits or hevin' some reason fer slopln' off the trail. Anyway, the row started all right, an' it might hev amounted to a fight. In the thick of it, when Stewart was drlviu' Pat an' his crowd off the place, one of them lost his head an' went fer his gun. Nels throwed his gun au' crippled the feller's arm. Monty Jumped an' then an' throwed two forty-fivefer a second or so it looked ticklish. crawled, an' But the bandit-hunter- s then lit out." Stillwell paused In the rapid deliv ery of his narrative; he still retained Madeline's hand, aa If by that he might comfort her. "After Pat left we put our halds together," began the old cattleman, with a long respiration. "We rounded up a lad who had seen a dozen or so fellers he wouldn't say they was Greasers breakln' through the shrubbery to the back of the house. That was while Stewart was rldin' out to the mesa. Then this lad seen your servants all rnnoin' down the hill toward the village. Now, heah's the way Gene Aggers. There sure was some deviltry down along the railroad, an' Pat Hawe trailed bandits up to the ranch. He hunts hard an' then all to onct he quits. Stewart says Pat Hawe wasn't scared, but he discovered signs of somethln', or got wind In some strange way that there was In the gang of bandits some fellers he didn't want to ketch. Sabe? Then Gene, quicker'n a flash, springs He'd go down to his plan on me. Padre Marcos an' hev him help to find out all possible from your Mexican servants. I was to hurry up hyar an' tell you give you orders, Miss Majesty. Ain't that amazin' strange? Wal, you're to assemble all your guests in the kitchen. Make a grand bluff an' pretend, as your help has left, that it'll be great fun fer your guests to cook dinner. The kitchen Is the safest room in the house. While you're Joshln' your party along, makln' a kind of picnic out of It Til place cowboys in the long corridor, an' also outside In the corner where the kitchen Joins on to the main house. It's pretty sure the bandits think no one's wise to where they're hid. Stewart says they're In that end room where the alfalfa Is, an' they'll slope In the night. Of course, with me will be an' the boys watchin', you-asafe to go to bed. An' we're to rouse your guests early before daylight, to hit the trail up Into the mountains. Tell them to pack outfits before goln' to bed. Say as your servants hev sloped, you might as well go dampln' with the cowboys. That's all. I If we hev any luck your friends'l! never know they've been sittin' on a Aowder-mlnNow, Miss Majesty, I've Vised up a lot of time explalnin'. You'll sure keep your nerve?" "Yes," Madeline replied, and was v surprised at herself. "Better tell Florence. She'll be a power of comfort to yon. I'm goln' now to fetch up the boys." Instead of returning to her room Madeline went through the office Into the long corridor. It was almost as dark as night. She fancied she saw a g figure darker than the surrounding gloom ; and she entered upon the fulfillment of her part of the plan In something like trepidation. Her footsteps were noiseless. Finding the door to the kitchen, and going in, she struck lights. Upon passing out again she made certain she discerned a dark shape, now motionless, crouching along the wall. But she mistrusted her vivid imagination. It took all her boldness to enable hpr unconcernedly and naturally to strike the corridor light Then she went on through her own rooms and thence Into t!.e patio. Her guests laughingly and gladly entered Into the spirit of the occasion. They trooped merrily Into the kitchen. Madeline, delaying at the door, took a sharp but unobtrusive glance down the great, barnlike hall. She saw nothing but blank dark space. Suddenly from one side, not a rod distant, protruded a .pale, gleaming face breaking the even blackness. Instantly It flashed back out of sight. Yet that time was long enough for Madeline to see a pair of glittering eyes, and to recognize them as Don Carlos'. Without betraying either hurry or alarm, she closed the door. It had a heavy bolt which she slowly, noiselessly shot. Then the cold amaze that had all but stunned her Into Inaction throbbed Into wrath. How dared that Mexican steal Into her home I What did he mean? Was he one of the bandits supposed to he hidden In her house? She was thinking herself Into greater anger and excitement, and probably would have betrayed herself had not Florence, who had evidently seen her bolt the door and now read her thoughts, come toward her with a bright. Intent, questioning look. Madeline caught herself In time. Thereupon she gave each of her guests duty to perform. Leading Florence Into the pantry, she unburdened herself of the secret In one brief whisper. Florence' reply was to point out of the little open window, passing which wns a file of stealthily moving cowboys. Then Madeline lost both &er and fear, retaining only the glow of excitement. The miscellaneous collection of dishes so confusingly contrived made dinner which they all heartily tip Madeline enjoyed It herself, even with the feeling of a sword hanging ausjiended over ber. The hour was late when she rose from the table and told her gupsts to go to their rooms, don their riding-clothepark what they needed for the long and adventurous camping trip that aha hoped would be the climax of s, their western experience, and to snatch a little sleep before the cowboys roused them for the early start. Madeline went Immediately to her room, and was getting out her camping apparel when a knock Interrupted her. "Who's there?" she questioned. "Stewart." came the reply. She opened the dot- -. He stood on the threshold. "May I speak to you?" he asked. "Certainly." She hesitated a moment, then asked him In and closed the door. "Is is everything all right?" "No. These bandits stick to cover pretty close." They must have found out we're on the watch. But I'm sure we'll get you and your friends away before anything starts." "Do you have any Idea who Is hiding in the house?" "I was worried some at first Pat Hawe acted queer. I Imagined he'd discovered he was trailing bandits who might turn out to be smuggling guerrilla cronies. But talking with your servants, finding a bunch of horses hidden down In the mesqulte behind the pond several things have changed my mind. My idea is that a cowardly handful of riffraff outcasts from the border have hidden In your house, more by accident than design. We'll let them go get rid of them without even a shot. If I didn't think so well,-I'be considerably worried. It would make a different state of affairs." "Stewart, you are wrong. I saw one of these bandits. I distinctly recognized him." One long step brought him close to a-DCY-- a SCOUTS (Conducted by National Council of tha Boy Hcouta of America, j SCOUTS AID COMMUNITY A combination of scout good turns with an unforeseen and spectacular climax was rendered by the boy Bcouts of Macon, Ga., during the recent local gigantic celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of that city. In the history of Macon there had nevei' been one parade unbroken by traffic until the recent ceremony when three parades took place within three days without a single Interference and to the boy scouts a grateful city has given the credit During the last day of the pageant the scouts were put to the real test of "preparedness" when a bleacher stand containing 000 people suddenly A wave of horror arose collapsed. from a crowd of 10,000 who witnessed the sight. Immediately a great rush was sturted for the scene of the accident. Panic was Imminent. The scouts rose to the emergency Immediately and took charge with a promptness and efficiency that would have done credit to the situation If It had been rehearsed with the greatest attention to detail. Scattering themselves in the crowd, a number of the boys quieted the people and within a few minutes Induced them to be seated. Other scouts formed staff lines about the wrecked stand and the Injured people, administered first aid, called ambulances and automobiles, and actually aided the doctors, for every scout, under headquarters' in- art 1" She ran ahead of him. Intercepted him, faced hlra with her back against the door. He swept out a long arm a If to brush her aside. But It wavered and fell. Haggard, troubled, with working face, he stood before her. "It's for your sake," he expostulated. "Let me out. Miss Hammond. I'm going to take the boys and go after I" 1 e. struction, throughout the celebration carried hi first-ai- d kit All medicines, antiseptics and bandages came kits and dozens of from scout first-aiwere used for scout neckerchiefs The whole thing was done bandages. so quietly and with so little ostentation that the progress of the pageant was not disturbed In the least. The ing, glowing. success of the entire celebration "Yes." hinged for about ten mluutes on the The single word, with all it might outcome of that collapsed grandstand, mean, with all It might not mean, and the scouts saved the whole thing. softened him as If by magic, made hlra The mayor In his proclamation of the gentle, amazed, shy as a boy, stifling made specific recognition under a torrent of emotions. scouts' service. The chairman of the Madeline thought she had persuaded Centenary committee paid the boy him worked her will with him. Then the following compliment: "It would another of his startllngly sudden have been Impossible to have held the moves told her that she had reckoned celebration without the valuable servtoo quickly. This move wa to put ices rendered by the scouts." her firmly aside so he could pas ; and Madeline, seeing he would not hesi SCOUTS KNOW HOW TO COOK tate to lift her out of the way, urren- dered the door. He turned on the " i r. threshold. His face was still working, V if hi but the eye gleam of Indicated the return of that cowboy ruthlessness. "I'm going to drive Don Carlos and his gang out of the house," declared Stewart. "I think I may promise you to do It without a fleht. But If It take a fight, off he goes!" d ' s 1 s, direct ness She saw him shake, saw hi throat swell as he swallowed hard, saw the, hard fierceness return to his face. "I won't. That's why I'm going after him." "But I forbade you to start a fight deliberately." "Then I'll go ahead and start one without your permission." He shook off her hand and strode forward. "Please, don't go!" she called, be seechingly. But he kept on. "Stew- these guerrillas." "No !" "Good Heavens!" exclaimed Stewart. "Why not let me go? It' the thing to do. I'm sorry to distress you and your guests. Why not put an end to Don Carlos' badgering? Is It because you're afraid a rumpus will spoil your friends' visit?" "It Isn't not this time." "Then It's the idea of a little shooting at these Greasers?" "No." "You're sick to think of a little Greaser blood staining the halla of your home?" "No." "Well, then, why keep me from doher. what I know Is best?" ing "Who was he?" demanded Stewart I she faltered. In "Stewart, "Don Carlos." "I'm growing agitation. frightened He muttered low and deep, then confused. All this too too much said, "Are you sure?" for me. I'm not a coward. If you "Absolutely. I saw his figure twice have to fight you'll see I'm not a cowIn the hall, then his face In the light ard. But your way seems o reckless I could never mistake his eyes." that hall Is so dark the guerrilla was conscious Madeline tremblingly would shoot from behind doors. You're that Stewart underwent a transformaso wild, so daring, you'd rush right in to peril. Is that necessary? I think I mean I don't know Just why I feel so so about you doing It. But I be lieve It's because Km afraid you you might be hurt." "You're afraid I I might be hurt?" he echoed, wonderingly, the hard whiteness of hi faco wanning, flush ll slow-glidin- me," replied Madeline, in sweet flame-pointe- "Stewart, I Forbid You to Fight, less In Un- tion. She saw as well as felt the leaping passion that changed him. "Call your friends get them In here!" he ordered, tersely, and wheeled toward the door. "Stewart, wait !" she said. He turned. His white face, his burning eyes, his presence now charged with definite, fearful meaning. Influenced her strangely, weakened her. "What will you do?" she asked. "That needn't concern you. Get your party In here. Bar the windows and lock the doors. You'll be safe." "Stewart I Tell me what you Intend to do." "I won't tell you," he replied, and turned away again. "But I will know." she said. With a hand on his arm she detained him. She saw how he halted felt the shock In him aa she touched him. "Oh, I do know. You mean to fight I" "Well. Miss Hammond, Isn't It about time?" he asked. There was weariness, dignity, even reproof in his question. "The fact of that Mexican's presence here In your house ought to prove to you the nature of the case. These vaqueros, these guerrillas, have found out you won't stand for any fighting on the part of your men. Don Carlos Is a sneak, a coward, yet he's not afraid to hide in your own house. He has learned you won't let your cowHe's taking adboys hurt anybody. vantage of It He'll rob, burn, and make off with you. He'll murder, too. If It falls his way. These Greasers use knives In the dark. So I ask Isn't It about time we stop him?" "Stewart. I forbid you to fight, unI forbid you." less In "What I mean to do Is Haven't I tried to explain to you that Just now we've wild times along this stretch of border? Must I tell you again that Don Carlos Is hand and glove with the revolution? The rebels are craxy to stir up the United State. You are woman of prominence. Don Carlo would make off with you. If he got you, what little matter to cross the border with you! Well, where would the hue and cry go? Through the troops along the border! To New Yorkl To Washington! It Why, would mean what the rebels are working for United States Intervention. In other words, war!" "Oh, surely you exaggerate!" she rriod. "Mnyhe so. But I'm beginning to see the Don's game. And. Miss Hammond. It's awful for tne to think what you'd tuffer If Don Carlo got you over the Mexicans. line, I know these I've been among the peons the slaves." "Stewart, dea't let Don Carlos get self-defens-e. low-cast- e d CHAPTER XIV i.. -- 'Bi' The Mountain Trail. As Stewart departed from one door Florence knocked upon another; and Madeline, far shaken out of her nsual serenity, admitted the cool wpstern girl with more than gladness. Just to have her near helped Madeline to get back her balance. She was conscious ; Usf ll i' V 'b.'.. r fi;li Z--' .w- - - of Florence's sharp scrutiny, then of a sweet, deliberate change of manner. Florence might have been burning with curiosity to know more about the Can.p cooking becomes an art in bandits hidden In the house, the pinna the hand of the boy scout One of the cowboys, the reason for Madehi camp Mr. line's suppressed emotion ; but Instead match or two will light of asking Madeline questions she InFOR WANT OF A SCOUT troduced the Important subject of what to take on the camping trip. For In an editorial entitled "Hugh Kirk, an hour they discussed the need of this and that article, selected those Hero," and paying high honor to the thlncs most needful, and then packed brave engineer, who, In the recent crisis when his train had been wrecked them In Madeline's duffle-bags- . That done, they decided to lie down, at Van Coitlandt Park, N. Y., by contact with a log on the track, remained fully dressed as they were In and sleep, or at least rst, at his engine to the end wnrnlng others the little remaining time left before of the dunger of the Impending explothe call to saddle. Madeline turned sion, a New York dally makes ,flne out the light and, peeping through her recognition of the spirit of helpfulness, responsibility anil thought for window, saw dark forms standing sen-tlnllke In the gloom. Wh-she lay others which He at the heart of scoutdown she heard soft steps on the path. ing. The editorial In pun says: "A story for boys to read and ponder This fidelity to her swelled her heart, while the need of It presaged that Is that of the train wreck in Van Cortlyndt Park nnd the death of tha fearful something which, since Stewart's passionate appeal to her, haunt- engineer, Hugh Kirk. "An eight-foo- t ed ber ss Inevitable. strip of timber across Madeline did not expect to sleep, the track caused the accident. It Is yet he did sleep, and It seemed to supposed that the youngsters at play have ben only a moment nntll Flor- thus blocked the rails. One Is loath ence palled her. She followed Florence to believe they could have done so In outside. She could discern saddled wanton mischief; snrely never If they horses being held by cowboys. There could have dreamed of the consewas an air of hurry and rnvstery about quences. "If only there hnd beer a boy acout the departure. Helen, who came out with Madeline's other around! These are pranks of the sort guests, whispered that It was like an that ao boy with cout training or associations would ever think of play'ng escape. She was delighted. The other .i When all or permit to go on. were amused. To Madeline It waa Indeed an escape. She heard low voices, goes scouting, there will be no the champing of bits and thumping of thoughtless foolery that ends In trig-fdy- .r hoofs, and she recpgnlred Stewart when he led up Majesty for her to mount. Then came a pattering of soft SCOUTS AID MOTHER AND DAD feet and the whlnlna of dogs. Cold noses touched her hands, and she saw Scout mothers and dads of Milwauthe long. gray, shagsrv shapes of her kee had a day off during the recent loThat cal Good Turn week when one dny wn pack of Itut-laStewart meant to let them go with her set aside for good tutns In the home. was Indicative of how he studied ber On the list of good turrs for the occa4l sion were cleaning up the 1npmnf. pleasure. She Inved to be out the hounds and her hore. attic, garage, mowh g lawn nei'iti ITO CONTINl'Kf painting and imttins up screen ridlnar-imstnm- e, n tlp-toel- boy-hot- wolf-hound- 8'gos of Wisdom. Thee are the s'gns of a wle to reprove nobody, to praise nobody ; to blame nobody, nor even to poak of himself or bla owa martu. Epictetui. n r' ll doors, talcing cir of tl e dren, wasblnz dishes, rinp'r. cri :r'l polishing silverware. w"H .r' :sM furniture, chopping f.reuoo.i. blng Doors tni.l washing ilie i: yin.r ... |