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Show THE S A LINA SUN, SAUNA. UTAH guerrillas feared to execute him here, and believed he might be aided to escape. So a detachment departed with him for Mezquital. He was sentenced to be shot Thursday at sunset tonight? Yes. I regret that I can't give you definite Information. If you are friends of Stewarts relatives I might find" CHAPTER XXII Continued. 18 He gave her a packet of telegrams. Madeline tore them open with shaking fingers, began to read with swift, dim eyes. Some were from Washington, as-- , suring her of every possible service; ome were from New York; others written In Spanish were from El Paso, and these she could not wholly translate In a brief glance. Would she never find Stillwells message? It was the last It was lecgthy. It read : "Bought Stewarts release. Also for his transfer as prisoner of war. Both matters official. Hes safe If we can get notice to his captors. Jfot sure Ive reached them by wire. Afraid to trust It You go with Link to Agua Prleta. Take the messages aent you In Spanish. They will protect ;you and secure Stewarts freedom. Take Nels with you. Stop for nothing. Tell Link all trust him let him drive that car. STILLWELL." Link, do you know the roads, the rtralls the desert between here and Agua Prleta? sne asked. Can an be driven from here Into northern Mexico? "Sure. But Itd take time. We must do It In little time, she Otherwent on. In swift eagerness. wise Stewart may be probably will 'he be shot. Link Stevens appeared suddenly to srow lax, shriveled, to lose all his peculiar pert brightness, to weaken and age. Im only a a cowboy, Miss Majesty. He almost faltered. It was a singular change In him. Thets an awful ride down over the border. If by some luck I didnt smash the car Id turn your hair gray. Youd never be no good after thet ride ! I am Stewarts wife, she answered him, and 'she looked at him, not conscious of any motive to persuade or allure, but Just to let him know the greatness of her dependence upon him. He started violently the old action of Stewart, the memorable action of "Monty Price. This man was of the same wild breed. Then Madelines words flowed in a I am Stewarts wife. I love horrent. him; I have been unjust to him; I must save him. Link, I have faith In you. I beseech you to do your best for Stewarts sake for my sake. Ill risk the ride gladly bravely. Ill not care where or how you drive. Id far rather plunge into a canyon go to my death on the rocks than not try to save Stewart. How beautiful the response of this xude cowboy to realize his absolute unconsciousness of seif, to see the haggard shade burn out of his face, e the old, cool, spirit return to his eyes, and to feel something wonderful about him then! It was more than will or daring or sacrifice. A blood-ti- e might have existed between him and Madeline. Miss Majesty, thet ride Aggers but Ill do It ! he replied. His -- -- " devil-may-car- stopped before the porch. Link had tied two long, heavy planks upon the car, one on each side, and In every available space he had strapped extra tires. A huge cask occupied one back seat, and another seat was full of tools and ropes. There was just room in this rear part of the car for Nels to squeeze in. Link put Madeline in front beside him, then bent over the wheel. Madeline waved her hand at the silent cowboys on the porch. Not an audible good-bwas spoken. The car glided out of the yard, leaped from level to slope, and started swiftly down the road, out Into the open valley. Each stronger rush of dry wind In Madelnes face marked the Increase of speed. The buzz, the roar of wheels, of heavy body in flight, Increased to a continuous droning hum. The wind became an Insupportable body moving toward her, crushing her breast, making the task of breathing most difficult. To Madeline the time seemed to fly with the speed of miles. Cactus barred the way, rocks barred the way, gullies barred the way, and these Nels addressed in the grim humor with which he was wont to view tragic things. Again and again Link used the planks to cross washes in sand. Presently he came to a ditch where water had worn deep into the road. Without hesitation he placed them, measuring distance carefully, and then started across. The danger was in ditching the machine. One of the planks split sagged a little, but Link made the crossing without slip. At length a mile of clean, brown slope, ridged and grooved like a washboard, led gently down to meet the floor of the valley, where the scant grama-gras- s struggled to give a tinge of gray. The road appeared to become more clearly defined, and could be seen striking straight across the valley. To Madelines dismay, that road led down to a deep, narrow wash. The crossing wrnuld have been laborsome for a horse; for an automobile it was Link drove back to the impassable. road, crossed it, and kept on down the line of the wash. It was & deep cut in red earth, worn straight down by swift water in the rainy season. It When Link reached the narrowed. narrowest points he got out of the car and walked from place to place. Once with a little Jump he cleared the wash. Then Madeline noted that the farther rim was somewhat lower. In a flash she divined Links intention. lie was hunting a place to jump the car over the crack In the ground. Soon he found one that seemed to suit him, for he tied his red scarf upon a greasewood-bush- . Then, returning to the car, he clambered in, backed up the gentle slope and halted just short of steeper ground. Hunching low over the wheel, he started, slowly at first, then faster, and then faster. The great car gave a spring like a huge tiger. The Impact of suddenly formed wind almost tore Madeline out of her seat. She felt Nels powerful hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes. The Jolting headway of the car gave place to a gliding rush. This was broken by a slight jar, and then above the hum and roar rose a cowboy yell. Madeline waited with straired nerves for the expected crash. It did not come. Opening her eyes, she saw the level valley floor without a break. She had not even noticed the Instant when the car had shot over the wash. y A "Can an Automobile Be Driven From Here Into Northern Mexico?" f cool, bright glance thrilled her. Pll need mebbe half an hour to go over the car an to pack on what Ill want. She could not thank him, and her reply was merely a request that he tell Nels and other cowboys off duty to come up to the house. When Link had gone Madeline gave a moments thought to preparations for the ride. A number of cowboys were waiting. She explained the situation and left them In charge of her home. With that she asked Nels to accompany her down Into the desert. Why, Miss Majesty, Im powerful proud to go. If you're goin down among the Greasers you want me. Madeline heard the buzz of the car. Link appeared, driving up the slope. Ha made a snort, sliding turn and strange breathlessness attacked her, and she attributed it to the celerity with which she was being carried along. Pulling the hood down over her face, she sank low in the seat. The whir of the car now seemed to be a world-fillin- g sound. There was a long, blank period from which she awakened to feel an arm supporting her. Then she rallied. The velocity of the car had been cut to the speed to which she was accustomed. Throwing back the hood, she breathed freely again, recovered fully. The car was bowling along a wide road upon the outskirts of a city. Madeline asked what place It could be. An jest Douglas, replied Link. around is Agua Prleta ! That last name seemed to stun Madeline. She heard no more, and saw little until the car stopped. Nels spoke to some one. Then sight of khaki-cla- d soldiers quickened Madelines faculties. She was on the boundabetween the United States ry-line and Mexico, and Agua Prleta, with its white and houses. Its brown-tileroofs, lay before her. A cavalry officer approached the car, stared, and removed his sombrero. Can you tell me anything about Stewart, the American cowboy who was captured by rebels a few days ago? asked Madeline. "Yes, replied the officer. "Stewart is reported to have done reckless fighting and was captured. He got a Mexican sentence. He Is known here along the border, and the news of his capture stirred up excitement We did all we could to get his release. The blue-walle- d d I am his wife, Interrupted Madeline. Will you please read these. She handed him the telegrams. Advise me help me, If you can?" With a wondering glance at her the officer received the telegrams. He read several, and whistled low In amaze. His manner became quick, alert, serious. I cant read these written In Spanish, but I know the names signed." Swiftly he ran through the others. "Why, these mean Stewarts release has been authorized. They explain mysterious rumors we have heard here. Greaser treachery! For some strange reason messages from the rebel junta have failed to reach their destination. Ill go with you to General Salazar, the rebel chief In command. I know him. Perhaps we can find out something." Nels made room for the officer. Link sent the car whirring across the line into Mexican territory. The road ended in an immense plaza, In the center of which was a circular structure that In some measure resembled a corral. It was a bull-rinwhere the national sport of was carried on. Madeline caught a glimpse of tents inside, then her view was obstructed by a curious, pressing throng. The cavalry officer leaped from the car and pushed his way into the entrance. How stifling was this crowded, The sun, red and lowplaza ering, had sloped far down In the west, but still burned with furnace heat. A swarm of flies whirled over the car. The shadows of buzzards crossed Madelines sight. Then she saw a row of the huge, uncanny black birds sitting upon the tiled roof of a house. They had neither an air of sleeping nor resting. They were waiting. She fought off a horrible ghastly idea before Its full realization. Suddenly the crowd parted to let the cavalry officer and a rebel of striking presence get to the car. Madam, It Is as I suspected, said the officer, quickly. The messages directing Stewarts release never reached Salazar. They were Intercepted. . But even without them we bull-fightin- g 1 low-sailin- g might have secured Stewarts exchange If it had not been for the fact that one of his captors wanted him shot. This guerrilla Intercepted the orders, and then was Instrumental in taking Stewart to Mezquital. It is exceedingly sad. Why, he should be a free man this Instant. I regret Who did this this thing?" cried Madeline, cold and sick. Who is the guerrilla? Senor Don Carlos Martinez. He has been a bandit, a man of Influence in Sonora. He Is more of a secret agent In the affairs of the revolution than an active participator. But he has seen guerrilla service." Don Carlos! Stewart in his power! Madeline sank down, alOh, God! most overcome. Then two great hands, powerful, thrilling, clasped her shoulders, and Nels bent over her, Miss Majesty, shore were wastin time here," he said. His voice, like his hands, was uplifting. She wheeled to him In trembling importunity. How cold, bright, blue the flash of his eyes ! They told Madeline she must not weaken. But she could not speak her thought to Nels could only look at Link. It Aggers Impossible, but HI do it ! said Link Stevens, in answer to her voiceless query. Can I get a permit to go Into the interior to Mezquital T asked Madeline of the officer. You are going on? Madam, Its a forlorn hope. Mezquital Is a hundred miles away. But theres a chance the barest chance if your man can drive this car. The Mexicans are either murderous or ceremonious in their executions. The arrangements for Stewarts will be elaborate. But, barring unusual circumstances, It will take place precisely at the hour designated. You need no permit Your messages are official papers. But to save time, perhaps delay, I suggest you take this Mexican, Senor Montes, with you. He outranks Don Carlos and knows the captain of the Mezquital detachment. I thank you, sir. I shall not forget your kindness, concluded Madeline. The white, narrow road flashed out of the foreground, slipped with Inconceivable rapidity under the car. When she marked a clump of cactus far ahead It seemed to shoot at her, to speed behind her even the Instant she noticed It. Madeline Nevertheless, kuew Link was not putting the car to Its limit. Swiftly as he was flying, he held something In reserve. And every leaf and blade and branch of cactus bore wicked thorns, any one of which would be fatal to a tire. It came at length, the bursting report. The car lurched, went on like a crippled thing, and halted, obedient to the master hand at the wheel. Swift as Link was in replacing the tire, he lost time. The red sun, more sullen, duskier as It neared the black, bold horizon, appeared to mock Madeline, to eye her in derision. Link leaped In, and the car sprang ahead. The road began to wind up; it turned and twisted In tantalizing, lazy curves; it was in no hurry to surmount a hill that began to assume proportions of a mountain ; It was leisurely, as were all things in Mexico except strife. That was quick, fierce, bloody It was Spanish. The descent from that elevation was difficult, extremely hazardous, yet Link Stevens drove fast. Then, In taking an abrupt curve, a grasping spear ruined another tire. Tills time the car rasped across the road into the cactus. bursting the second front-whetire. Like demons Indeed Link and Nels worked. Shuddering, Madeline felt the declining heat of the sun, saw with gloomy eyes the shading of the red light over the desert. She did not look back to see how near the sun was to the horizon. She wanted to ask Nels. Strange as anything on this terrible ride was the absence of speech. As yet no word had been spoken. Madeline wanted to shriek to Link to hurry. But he was more than humanly swift In all his actions. So with mute lips, with the fire in her beginning to chill, with a lifelessness menacing her spirit, she watched, hoped against hope, prayed for a long, straight, smooth road. Quite suddenly she saw It, seemingly miles of clear, narrow lane disappearing like a thin, white streak in distant green. Perhaps Link Stevens heart leaped like Madelines. The hugs car with a roar and a jerk seemed to answer Madelines call, a cry no less poignant because It was silent. Faster, faster, faster! The roar became a whining hum. Then for Madeline sound ceased to be anything she could not hear. The wind was now heavy, Imponderable, no longer a swift, plastic thing, but solid, like an onrush-in- g wall. It bore down upon Madeline with such resistless weight that she could not move. The green of desert plants along the road merged in two shapeless fences, sliding at her from the distance. Objects ahead began to blur the white road, to grow streaky, like rays of light, the sky to take on more of a reddening haze. That was Madelines last clear sensation upon the ride. Blinded, dazed, she succumbed to the demands upon her strength. She reeled, fell back, only vaguely aware of a helping hand. Confusion seized her senses. All about her was a dark chaos through which she was rushing, rushing, rushing under the wrathful eye of a setting sun. But at an end of Infinite time that rush ceased. Madeline lost the queer feeling of being disembodied by a frightfully swift careening through boundless distance. She distinguished voices, low at first, apparently far away. Then she opened her eyes to blurred but conscious sight. The car had come to a stop. Link was lying face down over the wheel. Nels was rubbing her hands, calling to her. She saw a house with clean whiteroof. Bewashed wall and brown-tileyond, over a dark mountain range, peeped the last red curve, the last beautiful ray of the setting sun. ing wave It rushed away. Stewart lived. He was free. He had ctepped out Into the light. 6he had saved him. Life changed for her in that Instant of realization and became sweet, full, strangs. Stewart shook hands with some one In the doorway. Then be looked up and down the road. The door closed behind him. Leisurely he rolled a cigarette, stood close to the wall while he scratched a match. Even at that distance Madelines keen eyes caught the small flame, the first little puff of smoke. Stewart then took to the middle of the road and leisurely began his walk. Madeline watched him, with pride, love, pain, glory combating for a mastery over her. This walk of hla seemingly took longer than all her houra of awakening, of strife, of remorse, longer than the ride to find him. She felt that It would be Impossible for her to wait till he reached the end of the road. Yet in the hurry and riot of her feelings she had fleeting panics. She wanted to run to meet him. Nevertheless, she stood rooted to her covert behind the window, living that terrible walk with him to the uttermost thought of home, sister, mother, sweetheart, wife, life Itself every thought that could com to a man stalking to meet his executioners. With all that tumult in her mind and heart Madeline still fell prey to the Incomprehensible variations of emotion possible to a woman. Every step Stewart took thrilled her. She had some strange, subtle Intuition that he was not unhappy, and that he believed ful front. Suddenly a sharp spoken order opened up the ranks next to the house. Senor Montes appeared in the break, His dark face wore coming swiftly. a smile; his manner was courteous, , Important, authoritative. Senora, you got here In time. El Capitan Stewart will be free. Free! she whispered. She rose, reeling. Come, replied Montes, taking her arm. Perdoneme, Senora. Senor Montes led Madeline through a hall to a patio, and on through a large room with flooring of rough, bare boards that rattled. Into a smaller room full of armed quiet rebels facing an open window. Montes directed Madelines atten-toto a man by the window. A loose scarf of vivid red hung from his hand. Senora, they were waiting for the sun to set when we arrived, said Montes. The signal was about to be given for Senor Stewart's walk to N. C. I was weak ana had trouble with my Winston-Sale- and run-dow- n side. I had been taking medicine for a longtimeandnothing seemed to dome any good. My husband went to the drug store and he said to the clerk, 1 want the best medicine you have for women! He gave troubles. him a bottle of Lydia E. Pinkhams Vegetable Compound and It has helped me. In a short tune I waa able to do my housework, and now I am not only able to do every bit of that and washing and ironing, but I help my husband at the Btore and feel good all the Mrs. L. K. Myers, 1409E.14th time. N. C. St, Winston-Salem, Feels New Life and Strength H.'T was weak and runKeene, N. down and had backache and all sorts of trembles which women have. I found great relief when taking Lydia E. Pink-haVegetable Compound and I also used Lydia E. Pinknams Sanative Wash. I am able to do my work and feel hew life and strength from the Vegetable Compound. I am doing all I can to Mrs. A. F. HAMMOND advertise it. 72 Carpenter Street, Keene, N. H. ms CH1LDRENGRY FOR CASTORIfl Especially Prepared for Infants and Children of Mother! Fletchers All Ages Castoria has been In use for over 30 years to relieve babies and children of Constipation, Flatulency, Wind Colic and Diarrhea; allaying Feverishness arising therefrom, and, by regulating the Stomach and Bowels, aids the assimilation of Food; giving natural sleep without opiates. The genuine bears signature Who Are He You? Hoarsely, Whispered beyond shadow of doubt that he waa Ills stepa walking to his death. dragged a little, though they had begun to be swift The old, hard, physical, wild nerve of the cowboy waa perhaps In conflict with spiritual growth of the finer man, realizing too late that life ought not to be sacrificed. If an old maid Is sent to buy furniture she Is sure to select a chair with arms to It. A farmer can rejoice In that he never has needed any letters of rec- ommendation. Then the dark gleam that was his face took shape, grew sharper and WHY DRUGGISTS RECOMMEND clenrer. He was stalking now, and there was a suggestion of Impatience SWAMP-ROOT In his stride. It took these hidden Mexicans a long time to kill him I At a point In the middle of the road, even with the corner of a house and opposite to Madelines position, Stewart halted stockstill. He presented a fair, bold mark to his executioners, and he stood there motionless a full moment. That wait was almost unendurable for Madeline. Perhaps It was only a moment, several moments at the longest, but the time seemed a year. Stewart's face was scornful, hard. Did he suspect treachery on the part of his captors, that they meant to play with him as a cat with a mouse, to murder him at leisure? Madeline was sure she caught the old. Inscrutable, death. Stewarts walk! echoed Madeline. mocking smile fleeting across his lips, Ah, Senora, let ine tell you his sen- lie hJd that position for what must tence the sentence I have had the have been a reasonable time to his honor and happiness to revoke for mind, then with a laugh and a shrug he threw the cigarette Into the road. you. He shook his head as If at the IncomStewart had been and sentenced according to a Mexican prehensible motives of men who could custom observed In cases of brave sol- have no fair reasons now for delay. diers to whom honorable and fltting He made a sudden violent action executions were due. Ills hour had that was more than a straightening been set for Thursday when the sun of his powerful frame. It was the old had sunk. Upon signal he was to be Instinctive violence. Then he faced liberated and was free to walk out north. Madeline read his thought, Into the road, to take any direction he knew he was thinking of her, calling pleased. lie knew his sentence; knew her a last silent farewell. He would that death awaited him, that every serve her to Ids last breath, leave her possible avenue of escape was blocked free, keep his secret. That picture of by men with rifles ready. But he had him, strangely not the slightest Idea at what moment and and strong, sank indelibly into or from what direction the bullets Madelines heart of hearts. were to come. The next instant he was striding Senora, we have sent messengers forward, to force by bold and scornto every squad of waiting soldiers ful presence a speedy fulfillment of an order that El Capitan Is not to be his sentence. shot. lie Is ignorant of his release. I Madeline stepped Into the door, shall give the signal for his freedom." crossed the threshold. Stewart stagIs there no no possibility of a gered as if indeed the bullets he exmistake? faltered Madeline. pected had pierced him in mortal wound. Ilis dark face turned white. None. My unloadIlls eyes Had the rapt stare, the wild ing of rifles. Don Carlos? fear of a man who saw an apparition, He Is in irons, and must answer to yet who doubted his sight. Perhaps he had called to her as the Mexicans General Salazar, replied Montes. With a heart stricken by both Joy called to the!. Virgin; perhaps he Imand agony, she saw Montes give the agined sodden death bad come unawares, and this was her Image apsignal. Then she waited. No change mani- pearing to him in some other life. are you? he whispered, Who fested itself down the length of that siwas road. There absolute hoarsely. lonely She tried to lift her hands, failed, lence In the room behind her. How seemed tried the infinitely long again, and held them out, tremterribly, bling. waiting! It is I. Majesty. Your wife I Suddenly a door opened and a tall THE END men stepped out. Madeline recognized Stewart. She More than 3o,000 persons are enhad to place both hands on the window-sill for support, while a storm of gaged in the paper pulp Industry la motion swayed her. LIk a retreat Canada. n court-martiale- d dark-browe- order-Include- Lydia E.Pinkhams Vegetable Com pound Brought Relief When Other Medicines Failed If one lets other people absolutely alone, he Is apt to be left more severely alone than he likes. XXIII At the End of the Road. Madeline saw that the car was surrounded by armed Mexicans. They presented a contrast to the others she had seen that day; she wondered a little at their Bilence, at their respect- AND A1L1NS Then Peace Fled Also. Tourist Is this a quiet place? 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