Herguestsreportedanarduousridedownthemountain，withonlyoneincidenttolendexcitement。OnthedescenttheyhadfalleninwithSheriffHaweandseveralofhisdeputies，whowereconsiderablyundertheinfluenceofdrinkandverygreatlyenragedbytheescapeoftheMexicangirlBonita。Hawehadusedinsultinglanguagetotheladiesand，accordingtoAmbrose，wouldhaveinconveniencedthepartyonsomepretextorotherifhehadnotbeensharplysilencedbythecowboys。
Madeline\'sguestsweretwodaysinrecoveringfromthehardride。
Onthethirddaytheyleisurelybegantopreparefordeparture。
ThisperiodwasdoublytryingforMadeline。Shehadherownphysicalneedofrest，and，moreover，hadtofaceamentalconflictthatcouldscarcelybepostponedfurther。HersisterandfriendswerekindlyandearnestlypersistentintheirentreatiesthatshegobackEastwiththem。Shedesiredtogo。
Itwasnotgoingthatmattered；itwashowandwhenandunderwhatcircumstancesshewastoreturnthatrousedinherdisturbingemotion。BeforeshewentEastshewantedtohavefixedinmindherfuturerelationtotheranchandtheWest。
WhenthecrucialhourarrivedshefoundthattheWesthadnotclaimedheryet。Theseoldfriendshadwarmedcoldties。
Itturnedout，however，thatthereneedbenohurryaboutmakingthedecision。Madelinewouldhavewelcomedanyexcusetoprocrastinate；but，asithappened，aletterfromAlfredmadeherdepartureoutofthequestionforthepresent。HewrotethathistriptoCaliforniahadbeenveryprofitable，thathehadapropositionforMadelinefromalargecattlecompany，and，particularly，thathewantedtomarryFlorencesoonafterhisarrivalhomeandwouldbringaministerfromDouglasforthatpurpose。
Madelinewentsofar，however，astopromiseHelenandherfriendsthatshewouldgoEastsoon，attheverylatestbyThanksgiving。Withthatpromisetheywerereluctantlycontenttosaygood-bytotheranchandtoher。Atthelastmomentthereseemedagreatlikelihoodofahitchinplansforthefirststageofthathomewardjourney。AllofMadeline\'sguestshelduptheirhands，Westernfashion，whenLinkStevensappearedwiththebigwhitecar。Linkprotestedinnocently，solemnly，thathewoulddriveslowlyandsafely；butitwasnecessaryforMadelinetoguaranteeLink\'swordandtoaccompanythembeforetheywouldenterthecar。Atthestationgood-byswerespokenandrepeated，andMadeline\'spromisewasexactedforthehundredthtime。
DorothyCoombs\'slastwordswere：\"GivemylovetoMontyPrice。
TellhimI\'m——I\'mgladhekissedme！\"
Helen\'seyeshadasweet，grave，yetmockinglightasshesaid：
\"Majesty，bringStewartwithyouwhenyoucome。He\'llbetherage。\"
Madelinetreatedtheremarkwiththesamemerrylightnesswithwhichitwasreceivedbytheothers；butafterthetrainhadpulledoutandshewasonherwayhomesherememberedHelen\'swordsandlookswithsomethingalmostamountingtoashock。AnymentionofStewart，anythoughtofhim，displeasedher。
\"WhatdidHelenmean？\"musedMadeline。Andshepondered。ThatmockinglightinHelen\'seyeshadbeensimplyanironicalglint，acynicalgleamfromthatworldlyexperiencesosuspiciousandtolerantinitswisdom。ThesweetgravityofHelen\'slookhadbeenadeeperandmoresubtlething。Madelinewantedtounderstandit，todivineinitanewrelationbetweenHelenandherself，somethingfineandsisterlythatmightleadtolove。
Thethought，however，revolvingaroundastrangesuggestionofStewart，waspoisonedatitsinception，andshedismissedit。
Uponthedriveintotheranch，asshewaspassingthelowerlake，shesawStewartwalkinglistlesslyalongtheshore。Whenhebecameawareoftheapproachofthecarhesuddenlyawakenedfromhisaimlesssaunteringanddisappearedquicklyintheshadeoftheshrubbery。ThiswasnotbyanymeansthefirsttimeMadelinehadseenhimavoidapossiblemeetingwithher。Somehowtheacthadpainedher，thoughaffordingherarelief。Shedidnotwanttomeethimfacetoface。
ItwasannoyingforhertoguessthatStillwellhadsomethingtosayinStewart\'sdefense。Theoldcattlemanwasevidentlydistressed。SeveraltimeshehadtriedtoopenaconversationwithMadelinerelatingtoStewart；shehadevadedhimuntilthelasttime，whenhispersistencehadbroughtacoldandfinalrefusaltohearanotherwordabouttheforeman。Stillwellhadbeencrushed。
AsdayspassedStewartremainedattheranchwithouthisoldfaithfulnesstohiswork。Madelinewasnotmovedtoakinderframeofmindtoseehimwanderingdejectedlyaround。Ithurther，andbecauseithurthershegrewalltheharder。ThenshecouldnothelphearingsnatchesofconversationwhichstrengthenedhersuspicionsthatStewartwaslosinghisgriponhimself，thathewouldsoontakethedownwardcourseagain。
Verificationofherownsuspicionmadeitabelief，andbeliefbroughtaboutasharpconflictbetweenhergenerosityandsomefeelingthatshecouldnotname。Itwasnotaquestionofjusticeormercyorsympathy。IfasinglewordcouldhavesavedStewartfromsinkinghissplendidmanhoodintothebruteshehadrecoiledfromatChiricahua，shewouldnothavespokenit。Shecouldnotrestorehimtohisformerplaceinherregard；shereallydidnotwanthimattheranchatall。Once，consideringinwonderherknowledgeofmen，sheinterrogatedherselftoseejustwhyshecouldnotoverlookStewart\'stransgression。Sheneverwantedtospeaktohimagain，orseehim，orthinkofhim。
Insomeway，throughherinterestinStewart，shehadcometofeelforherselfaninexplicablethingclosetoscorn。
AtelegramfromDouglas，heraldingthecomingofAlfredandaminister，putanendtoMadeline\'sbrooding，andshesharedsomethingofFlorenceKingsley\'sexcitement。Thecowboyswereaseagerandgossipyasgirls。ItwasarrangedtohavetheweddingceremonyperformedinMadeline\'sgreathall-chamber，andthedinnerinthecool，flower-scentedpatio。
Alfredandhisministerarrivedattheranchinthebigwhitecar。Theyappearedconsiderablywind-blown。Infact，theministerwasbreathless，almostsightless，andcertainlyhatless。
Alfred，usedashewastowindandspeed，remarkedthathedidnotwonderatNels\'saversiontoridingafleetingcannon-ball。
TheimperturbableLinktookoffhiscapandgogglesand，consultinghiswatch，madehisusualapologeticreporttoMadeline，deploringthefactthatateamsterandafewstraycattleontheroadhadheldhimdowntothemananatimeofonlyamileaminute。
ArrangementsfortheweddingbroughtAlfred\'sdelightedapproval。
WhenhehadlearnedallFlorenceandMadelinewouldtellhimheexpressedadesiretohavethecowboysattend；andthenhewentontotalkaboutCalifornia，wherehewasgoingtakeFlorenceonashorttrip。HewascuriouslyinterestedtofindoutallaboutMadeline\'sguestsandwhathadhappenedtothem。HiskeenglanceatMadelinegrewsofterasshetalked。
\"Ibreatheagain，\"hesaid，andlaughed。\"Iwasafraid。Well，I
musthavemissedsomesport。IcanjustfancywhatMontyandNelsdidtothatEnglishman。Soyouwentuptothecrags。
That\'sawildplace。I\'mnotsurprisedatguerrillasfallinginwithyouupthere。ThecragswereafamousrendezvousforApaches——it\'sneartheborder——almostinaccessible——goodwaterandgrass。IwonderwhattheU。S。cavalrywouldthinkiftheyknewtheseguerrillascrossedtheborderrightundertheirnoses。
Well，it\'spracticallyimpossibletopatrolsomeofthatborder-line。It\'sdesert，mountain，andcanon，exceedinglywildandbroken。I\'msorrytosaythatthereseemstobemoretroubleinsightwiththeseguerrillasthanatanytimeheretofore。
Orozco，therebelleader，hasfailedtowithstandMadero\'sarmy。
TheFederalsareoccupyingChihuahuanow，andaredrivingtherebelsnorth。Orozcohasbrokenuphisarmyintoguerrillabands。
Theyaremovingnorthandwest，intendingtocarryonguerrillawarfareinSonora。Ican\'tsayjusthowthiswillaffectushere。Butwe\'retooclosetotheborderforcomfort。Theseguerrillasarenight-ridinghawks；theycancrosstheborder，raidushere，andgetbackthesamenight。Fighting，Iimagine，willnotberestrictedtonorthernMexico。Withtherevolutionafailuretheguerrillaswillbemorenumerous，bolder，andhungrier。Unfortunately，wehappentobefavorablysituatedforthemdownhereinthiswildernesscornerofthestate。\"
OnthefollowingdayAlfredandFlorenceweremarried。Florence\'ssisterandseveralfriendsfromElCajonwerepresent，besidesMadeline，Stillwell，andhismen。ItwasAlfred\'sexpresswishthatStewartattendtheceremony。Madelinewasamusedwhenshenoticedthepainfullysuppressedexcitementofthecowboys。Forthemaweddingmusthavebeenanunusualandimpressiveevent。
Shebegantohaveabetterunderstandingofthenatureofitwhentheycastoffrestraintandpressedforwardtokissthebride。
InallherlifeMadelinehadneverseenabridekissedsomuchandsoheartily，noronesoflushedanddisheveledandhappy。
Thisindeedwasajoyfuloccasion。Therewasnothingofthe\"effeteEast\"aboutAlfredHammond；hemighthavebeenaWesternerallhisdays。WhenMadelinemanagedtogetthroughthepressofcowboystoofferhercongratulationsAlfredgaveherabearhugandakiss。Thisappearedtofascinatethecowboys。
Withshiningeyesandfacesaglow，withsmiling，boyishboldness，theymadearushatMadeline。Foroneinstantherheartleapedtoherthroat。Theylookedasiftheycouldmostshamelesslykissandmaulher。Thatlittle，ugly-faced，soft-eyed，rude，tender-heartedruffian，MontyPrice，wasinthelead。Heresembledadragonactuatedbysentiment。AllatonceMadeline\'sinstinctiveantagonismtobeingtouchedbystrangehandsorlipsbattledwithareal，warm，andfun-lovingdesiretoletthecowboysworktheirwillwithher。ButshesawStewarthangingatthebackofthecrowd，andsomething——somefierce，darkexpressionofpain——amazedher，whileitfrozeherdesiretobekind。Thenshedidnotknowwhatchangemusthavecometoherfaceandbearing；butshesawMontyfallbacksheepishlyandtheothercowboysdrawasidetoletherleadthewayintothepatio。
Thedinnerbeganquietlyenoughwiththecowboysdividedbetweenembarrassmentandvoraciousappetitesthattheyevidentlyfearedtoindulge。Wine，however，loosenedtheirtongues，andwhenStillwellgotuptomakethespeecheverybodyseemedtoexpectofhimtheygreetedhimwitharoar。
Stillwellwasnowonehuge，mountainoussmile。Hewassohappythatheappearedonthevergeoftears。Herambledonecstaticallytillhecametoraisehisglass。
\"An\'now，girlsan\'boys，let\'salldrinktothebridean\'groom；
totheirsincerean\'lastin\'love；totheirhappinessan\'
prosperity；totheirgoodhealthan\'longlife。Let\'sdrinktotheunitin\'oftheEastwiththeWest。Nomanfullofredbloodan\'therealbreathoflifecouldresistaWesterngirlan\'agoodhossan\'God\'sfreehand——thatopencountryoutthere。SoweclaimAlHammond，an\'maywebetruetohim。An\'，friends，I
thinkitfittin\'thatwedrinktohissisteran\'toourhopes。
Heah\'stotheladywehopetomakeourMajesty！Heah\'stothemanwho\'llcomeridin\'outoftheWest，afine，big-heartedmanwithafasthossan\'astrongrope，an\'mayhewinan\'holdher！
Come，friends，drink。\"
Aheavypoundofhorses\'hoofsandayelloutsidearrestedStillwell\'svoiceandhaltedhishandinmidair。
Thepatiobecameassilentasanunoccupiedroom。
ThroughtheopendoorsandwindowsofMadeline\'schamberburstthesoundsofhorsesstampingtoahalt，thenharshspeechofmen，andalowcryofawomaninpain。
Rapidstepscrossedtheporch，enteredMadeline\'sroom。Nelsappearedinthedoorway。Madelinewassurprisedtoseethatbehadnotbeenatthedinner-table。Shewasdisturbedatsightofhisface。
\"Stewart，you\'rewantedoutdoors，\"calledNels，bluntly。\"Monty，youslopeoutherewithme。You，Nick，an\'Stillwell——Ireckontherestofyouhedbettershutthedoorsan\'stayinside。\"
Nelsdisappeared。QuickasacatMontyglidedout。Madelinebeardhissoft，swiftstepspassfromherroomintoheroffice。
Hebadlefthisgunsthere。Madelinetrembled。ShesawStewartgetupquietlyandwithoutanychangeofexpressiononhisdark，sadfaceleavethepatio。NickSteelefollowedhim。Stillwelldroppedhiswine-glass。Asitbroke，shiveringthesilence，hishugesmilevanished。Hisfacesetintotheoldcragginessandtheredslowlythickenedintoblack。Stillwellwentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
Thentherewasablanksilence。Theenjoymentofthemomenthadbeenrudelydisrupted。Madelineglanceddownthelinesofbrownfacestoseethepleasurefadeintotheoldfamiliarhardness。
\"What\'swrong？\"askedAlfred，ratherstupidly。Thechangeofmoodhadbeentoorapidforhim。Suddenlyheawakened，thoroughlyarousedattheinterruption。\"I\'mgoingtoseewho\'sbuttedinheretospoilourdinner，\"hesaid，andstrodeout。
Hereturnedbeforeanyoneatthetablehadspokenormoved，andnowthedullredofangermottledhisforehead。
\"It\'sthesheriffofElCajon！\"heexclaimed，contemptuously。
\"PatHawewithsomeofhistoughdeputiescometoarrestGeneStewart。They\'vegotthatpoorlittleMexicangirlouttheretiedonahorse。Confoundthatsheriff！\"
Madelinecalmlyrosefromthetable，eludingFlorence\'sentreatinghand，andstartedforthedoor。Thecowboysjumpedup。Alfredbarredherprogress。
\"Alfred，Iamgoingout，\"shesaid。
\"No，Iguessnot，\"hereplied。\"That\'snoplaceforyou。\"
\"Iamgoing。\"Shelookedstraightathim。
\"Madeline！Why，whatisit？Youlook——Dear，there\'sprettysuretobetroubleoutside。Maybethere\'llbeafight。Youcandonothing。Youmustnotgo。\"
\"PerhapsIcanpreventtrouble，\"shereplied。
AssheleftthepatioshewasawarethatAlfred，withFlorenceathissideandthecowboysbehind，werestartingtofollowher。
Whenshegotoutofherroomupontheporchsheheardseveralmeninloud，angrydiscussion。Then，atsightofBonitahelplesslyandcruellybounduponahorse，paleanddisheveledandsuffering，Madelineexperiencedthethrillthatsightormentionofthisgirlalwaysgaveher。Ityieldedtoahotpanginherbreast——thatlivepainwhichsoshamedher。Butalmostinstantly，asasecondglanceshowedanagonyinBonita\'sface，herbruisedarmswheretheropebitdeepintotheflesh，herlittlebrownhandsstainedwithblood，Madelinewasovercomebypityfortheunfortunategirlandawoman\'srighteouspassionatsuchbarbaroustreatmentofoneofherownsex。
ThemanholdingthebridleofthehorseonwhichBonitahadbeenboundwasatoncerecognizedbyMadelineasthebig-bodied，bullet-headedguerrillawhohadfoundthebasketofwineinthespringatcamp。Redderofface，blackerofbeard，coarserofaspect，evidentlyundertheinfluenceofliquor，hewasasfierce-lookingasagorillaandasrepulsive。Besideshimtherewerethreeothermenpresent，allmountedonwearyhorses。Theoneintheforeground，gaunt，sharp-featured，red-eyed，withapointedbeard，sherecognizedasthesheriffofElCajon。
Madelinehesitated，thenstoppedinthemiddleoftheporch。
Alfred，Florence，andseveralothersfollowedherout；therestofthecowboysandguestscrowdedthewindowsanddoors。
StillwellsawMadeline，and，throwinguphishands，roaredtobeheard。Thisquietedthegesticulating，quarrelingmen。
\"Walnow，PatHawe，what\'sdrivin\'youlikealocoedsteerontherampage？\"demandedStillwell。
\"Keepinthetraces，Bill，\"repliedHawe。\"YousavvywhatIcomefer。I\'vebeenbidin\'mytime。ButI\'mreadynow。I\'mhyartoarrestacriminal。\"
Thehugeframeoftheoldcattlemanjerkedasifhehadbeenstabbed。Hisfaceturnedpurple。
\"Whatcriminal？\"heshouted，hoarsely。
Thesheriffflickedhisquirtagainsthisdirtyboot，andhetwistedhisthinlipsintoaleer。Thesituationwasagreeabletohim。
\"Why，Bill，Iknowedyouhedano-goodoutfitridin\'thisrange；
butIwasn\'twisethetyouhedmore\'nonecriminal。\"
\"Cutthattalk！Whichcowboyareyouwantin\'toarrest？\"
Hawe\'smanneraltered。
\"GeneStewart，\"hereplied，curtly。
\"Onwhatcharge？\"
\"Ferkillin\'aGreaseronenightlastfall。\"
\"Soyou\'restillharpin\'onthat？Pat，you\'reonthewrongtrail。Youcan\'tlaythatkillin\'ontoStewart。Thething\'sancientbynow。Butifyouinsistonbringin\'himtocourt，letthearrestgoto-day——we\'rehevin\'somefiestahyar——an\'I\'llfetchGeneintoElCajon。\"
\"Nope。IreckonI\'lltakehimwhenIgotthechance，beforeheslopes。\"
\"I\'mgivin\'youmyword，\"thunderedStillwell。
\"IreckonIdon\'thevtotakeyourword，Bill，oranybodyelse\'s。\"
Stillwell\'sgreatbulkquiveredwithhisrage，yethemadeasuccessfulefforttocontrolit。
\"Seehyar，PatHawe，Iknowwhat\'sreasonable。Lawislaw。Butinthiscountrytherealwayshasbeenan\'isnowasafean\'sanewaytoproceedwiththelaw。Mebbeyou\'veforgotthat。Thelawasinvestedinonemaninawildcountryisliable，owin\'tothatman\'sweaknessesan\'onlimitedauthority，tobedisputedevenbyadecentolecattlemanlikemyself。I\'ma-goin\'togiveyouahunch。Pat，you\'renotoverlikedintheseparts。You\'veridtoomuchwithahighhand。Someofyourdealshevbeenshady，an\'
don\'tyouoverlookwhatI\'msayin\'。Butyou\'rethesheriff，an\'
I\'mrespectin\'youroffice。I\'mrespectin\'itthismuch。Ifthemilkofhumandecencyissosouredinyourbreastthatyoucan\'thevakindfeelin\'，thentrytoavoidtheonpleasantnessthat\'llresultfromanycontrarymoveonyourpartto-day。Doyougetthathunch？\"
\"Stillwell，you\'rethreatenin\'anofficer，\"repliedHawe，angrily。
\"Willyouhitthetrailquickoutofhyar？\"queriedStillwell，instrainedvoice。\"IguaranteeStewart\'sappearanceinElCajonanydayyousay。\"
\"No。Icometoarresthim，an\'I\'mgoin\'to。\"
\"Sothat\'syourgame！\"shoutedStillwell。\"We-allaregladtogetyoustraight，Pat。Nowlisten，youcheap，red-eyedcoyoteofasheriff！Youdon\'tcarehowmanyenemiesyoumake。Youknowyou\'llnevergetofficeagaininthiscounty。Whatdoyoucarenow？It\'samazin\'strangehowearnestyouaretohuntdownthemanwhokilledthatparticularGreaser。Ireckonthere\'sbeensomedozenormorekillin\'sofGreasersinthelastyear。Whydon\'tyoutaketotrailin\'someofthemkillin\'s？I\'lltellyouwhy。You\'reafraidtogoneartheborder。An\'yourhateofGeneStewartmakesyouwanttohoundhiman\'puthimwherehe\'sneverbeenyet——injail。Youwanttospitehisfriends。Wal，listen，youlean-jawed，skunk-bittencoyote！Goaheadan\'trytoarresthim！\"
Stillwelltookonemightystrideofftheporch。Hislastwordshadbeencold。HisrageappearedtohavebeentransferredtoHawe。ThesheriffhadbeguntostutterandshakealankyredhandatthecattlemanwhenStewartsteppedout。
\"Here，youfellows，givemeachancetosayaword。\"
AsStewartappearedtheMexicangirlsuddenlyseemedvitalizedoutofherstupor。Shestrainedatherbonds，asiftoliftherhandsbeseechingly。Aflushanimatedherhaggardface，andherbigdarkeyeslighted。
\"SenorGene！\"shemoaned。\"Helpme！Isoseek。Theybeatme，ropeme，\'mos\'keelme。Oh，helpme，SenorGene！\"
\"Shutup，erI\'llgagyou，\"saidthemanwhoheldBonita\'shorse。
\"Muzzleher，Sneed，ifsheblabsagain，\"calledHawe。Madelinefeltsomethingtenseandstrainedworkingintheshortsilence。
Wasitonlyaphaseofherthrillingexcitement？HerswiftglanceshowedthefacesofNelsandMontyandNicktobebrooding，cold，watchful。ShewonderedwhyStewartdidnotlooktowardBonita。He，too，wasnowdark-faced，cool，quiet，withsomethingominousabouthim。
\"Hawe，I\'llsubmittoarrestwithoutanyfuss，\"hesaid，slowly，\"ifyou\'lltaketheropesoffthatgirl。\"
\"Nope，\"repliedthesheriff。\"Shegotawayfrommeonct。She\'shawg-tiednow，an\'she\'llstayhawg-tied。\"
MadelinethoughtshesawStewartgiveaslightstart。Butanunaccountabledimnesscameoverhereyes，atbriefintervalsobscuringherkeensight。Vaguelyshewasconsciousofacloggedandbeatingtumultinherbreast。
\"Allright，let\'shurryoutofhere，\"saidStewart。\"You\'vemadeannoyanceenough。Ridedowntothecorralwithme。I\'llgetmyhorseandgowithyou。\"
\"Holdon！\"yelledHawe，asStewartturnedaway。\"Notsofast。
Who\'sdoin\'this？Youdon\'tcomenoElCapitanstuntsonme。
You\'llrideoneofmypack-horses，an\'you\'llgoinirons。\"
\"Youwanttohandcuffme？\"queriedStewart，withsuddenswiftstartofpassion。
\"Wantto？Haw，haw！Nope，Stewart，thet\'sjestmywaywithhoss-thieves，raiders，Greasers，murderers，an\'sich。Seehyar，youSneed，gitoffan\'puttheironsonthisman。\"
TheguerrillacalledSneedslidoffhishorseandbegantofumbleinhissaddle-bags。
\"Yousee，Bill，\"wentonHawe，\"Isworeinanewdepootyferthisparticularjob。Sneedissomehandy。HeroundedupthetlittleMexicancatferme。\"
Stillwelldidnothearthesheriff；hewasgazingatStewartinakindofimploringamaze。
\"Gene，youain\'tgoin\'tostandferthemhandcuffs？\"hepleaded。
\"Yes，\"repliedthecowboy。\"Bill，oldfriend，I\'manoutsiderhere。There\'snocallforMissHammondand——andherbrotherandFlorencetobeworriedfurtheraboutme。Theirhappydayhasalreadybeenspoiledonmyaccount。Iwanttogetoutquick。\"
\"Wal，youmightbetoodamnconsiderateofMissHammond\'ssensitivefeelin\'s。\"Therewasnownotraceofthecourteous，kindlyoldrancher。Helookedharderthanstone。\"Howaboutmyfeelin\'s？Iwanttoknowifyou\'regoin\'toletthissneakin\'
coyote，thislastgaspoftheoldrum-guzzlin\'frontiersheriffs，putyouinironsan\'hawg-tieyouan\'driveyouofftojail？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedStewart，steadily。
\"Wal，byGawd！You，GeneStewart！What\'scomeoveryou？Why，man，gointhehouse，an\'I\'ll\'tendtothisfeller。Thento-morrowyoucanrideinan\'giveyourselfuplikeagentleman。\"
\"No。I\'llgo。Thanks，Bill，forthewayyouandtheboyswouldsticktome。Hurry，Hawe，beforemymindchanges。\"
Hisvoicebrokeatthelast，betrayingthewonderfulcontrolhehadkeptoverhispassions。Asheceasedspeakingheseemedsuddenlytobecomespiritless。Hedroppedhishead。
Madelinesawinhimthenasemblancetothehopeless，shamedStewartofearlierdays。Thevagueriotinherbreastleapedintoconsciousfury——awoman\'spassionaterepudiationofStewart\'sbrokenspirit。Itwasnotthatshewouldhavehimbealawbreaker；itwasthatshecouldnotbeartoseehimdenyhismanhood。Onceshehadentreatedhimtobecomeherkindofacowboy——amaninwhomreasontemperedpassion。Shehadlethimseehowpainfulandshockinganyviolencewastoher。Andtheideahadobsessedhim，softenedhim，hadgrownlikeastultifyinglichenuponhiswill，hadshornhimofawild，boldspiritshenowstrangelylongedtoseehimfeel。WhenthemanSneedcameforward，jinglingtheironfetters，Madeline\'sbloodturnedtofire。ShewouldhaveforgivenStewartthenforlapsingintothekindofcowboyithadbeenherblindandsicklysentimenttoabhor。Thiswasaman\'sWest——aman\'sgame。Whatrighthadawomanrearedinasoftermoldtouseherbeautyandherinfluencetochangeamanwhowasboldandfreeandstrong？Atthatmoment，withherbloodhotandracing，shewouldhavegloriedintheviolencewhichshehadsodeplored：shewouldhavewelcomedtheactionthathadcharacterizedStewart\'streatmentofDonCarlos；shehadinherthesuddendawningtemperofawomanwhohadbeenassimilatingthelifeandnaturearoundherandwhowouldnothaveturnedhereyesawayfromaharshandbloodydeed。
ButStewartheldforthhishandstobemanacled。ThenMadelineheardherownvoiceburstoutinaringing，imperious\"Wait！\"
Inthetimeittookhertomakethefewstepstotheedgeoftheporch，facingthemen，shenotonlyfeltherangerandjusticeandpridesummoningforcestohercommand，buttherewassomethingelsecalling——adeep，passionate，mysteriousthingnotbornofthemoment。
Sneeddroppedthemanacles。Stewart\'sfacetookonachalkywhiteness。Hawe，inaslow，stupidembarrassmentbeyondhiscontrol，removedhissombreroinarespectthatseemedwrenchedfromhim。
\"Mr。Hawe，IcanprovetoyouthatStewartwasnotconcernedinanywaywhateverwiththecrimeforwhichyouwanttoarresthim。\"
Thesheriff\'sstareunderwentablinkingchange。Hecoughed，stammered，andtriedtospeak。Manifestly，hehadbeenthrowncompletelyoffhisbalance。Astonishmentslowlymergedintodiscomfiture。
\"ItwasabsolutelyimpossibleforStewarttohavebeenconnectedwiththatassault，\"wentonMadeline，swiftly，\"forhewaswithmeinthewaiting-roomofthestationatthemomenttheassaultwasmadeoutside。IassureyouIhaveadistinctandvividrecollection。Thedoorwasopen。Iheardthevoicesofquarrelingmen。Theygrewlouder。ThelanguagewasSpanish。
Evidentlythesemenhadleftthedance-halloppositeandwereapproachingthestation。Iheardawoman\'svoiceminglingwiththeothers。It，too，wasSpanish，andIcouldnotunderstand。
Butthetonewasbeseeching。ThenIheardfootstepsonthegravel。IknewStewartheardthem。Icouldseefromhisfacethatsomethingdreadfulwasabouttohappen。Justoutsidethedoorthentherewerehoarse，furiousvoices，ascuffle，amuffledshot，awoman\'scry，thethudofafallingbody，andrapidfootstepsofamanrunningaway。Next，thegirlBonitastaggeredintothedoor。Shewaswhite，trembling，terror-stricken。SherecognizedStewart，appealedtohim。Stewartsupportedherandendeavoredtocalmher。Hewasexcited。HeaskedherifDannyMainshadbeenshot，orifhehaddonetheshooting。Thegirlsaidno。ShetoldStewartthatshehaddancedalittle，flirtedalittlewithvaqueros，andtheyhadquarreledoverher。ThenStewarttookheroutsideandputheruponhishorse。Isawthegirlridethathorsedownthestreettodisappearinthedarkness。\"
WhileMadelinespokeanotherchangeappearedtobeworkinginthemanHawe。Hewasnotlongdisconcerted，buthisdiscomfitureworetoasullenfury，andhissharpfeaturesfixedinanexpressionofcraft。
\"Thet\'smightyinterestin\'，MissHammond，\'mostasinterestin\'asastory-book，\"hesald。\"Now，sinceyou\'resoobligin\'awitness，I\'dsureliketoputaquestionortwo。WhattimedidyouarriveatElCajonthetnight？\"
\"Itwasaftereleveno\'clock，\"repliedMadeline。
\"Nobodytheretomeetyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thestationagentan\'operatorbothgone？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Wal，howsoondidthisfellerStewartshowup？\"Hawecontinued，withawrysmile。
\"Verysoonaftermyarrival。Ithink——perhapsfifteenminutes，possiblyalittlemore。\"
\"Somedarkan\'lonesomearoundthetstation，wasn\'tit？\"
\"Indeedyes。\"
\"An\'whattimewastheGreasershot？\"queriedHawe，withhislittleeyesgleaminglikecoals。
\"Probablyclosetohalfpastone。Itwastwoo\'clockwhenI
lookedatmywatchatFlorenceKingsley\'shouse。DirectlyafterStewartsentBonitaawayhetookmetoMissKingsley\'s。So，allowingforthewalkandafewminutes\'conversationwithher，I
canprettydefinitelysaytheshootingtookplaceatabouthalfpastone。\"
Stillwellheavedhisbigframeastepclosertothesheriff。
\"What\'reyoudrivin\'at？\"heroared，hisfaceblackagain。
\"Evidence，\"snappedHawe。
Madelinemarveledatthisinterruption；andasStewartirresistiblydrewherglanceshesawhimgray-facedasashes，shaking，utterlyunnerved。
\"Ithankyou，MissHammond，\"hesaid，huskily。\"Butyouneedn\'tansweranymoreofHawe\'squestions。He\'s——he\'s——It\'snotnecessary。I\'llgowithhimnow，underarrest。Bonitawillcorroborateyourtestimonyincourt，andthatwillsavemefromthis——thisman\'sspite。\"
Madeline，lookingatStewart，seeingahumilitysheatfirsttookforcowardice，suddenlydivinedthatitwasnotfearforhimselfwhichmadehimdreadfurtherdisclosuresofthatnight，butfearforher——fearofshameshemightsufferthroughhim。
PatHawecockedhisheadtooneside，likeavultureabouttostrikewithhisbeak，andcunninglyeyedMadeline。
\"Consideredastestimony，whatyou\'vesaidissureimportantan\'
conclusive。ButI\'mcalculatin\'thetthecourtwillwanttohevexplainedwhyyoustayedfromeleven-thirtytillone-thirtyinthetwaitin\'-roomalonewithStewart。\"
HisdeliberatespeechmetwithwhatMadelineimaginedaremarkablereceptionfromStewart，whogaveatigerishstart；
fromStillwell，whosebighandstoreattheneckofhisshirt，asifhewaschoking；fromAlfred，whonowstrodehotlyforward，tobestoppedbythecoldandsilentNels；fromMontyPrice，whoutteredaviolent\"Aw！\"whichwasbothahissandaroar。
IntherushofherthoughtMadelinecouldnotinterpretthemeaningofthesethingswhichseemedsostrangeatthatmoment。
Buttheywereportentous。EvenasshewasformingareplytoHawe\'sspeechshefeltachillcreepoverher。
\"Stewartdetainedmeinthewaiting-room，\"shesaid，clear-voicedasabell。\"Butwewerenotalone——allthetime。\"
ForamomenttheonlysoundfollowingherwordswasagaspfromStewart。Hawe\'sfacebecametransformedwithahideousamazeandjoy。
\"Detained？\"hewhispered，craninghisleanandcordedneck。
\"How\'sthet？\"
\"Stewartwasdrunk。He——\"
WithsuddenpassionategestureofdespairStewartappealedtoher：
\'\'Oh，MissHammond，don\'t！don\'t！DON\'T！……\"
Thenheseemedtosinkdown，headlowereduponhisbreast，inuttershame。Stillwell\'sgreathandswepttothebowedshoulder，andheturnedtoMadeline。
\"MissMajesty，Ireckonyou\'dbewisetotellall，\"saidtheoldcattleman，gravely。\"Thereain\'toneofuswhocouldmisunderstandanymotiveoractofyours。Mebbeastrokeoflightnin\'mightclearthismurkyair。WhateverGeneStewartdidthatonluckynight——youtellit。\"
Madeline\'sdignityandself-possessionhadbeendisturbedbyStewart\'simportunity。Shebrokeintoswift，disconnectedspeech：
\"Hecameintothestation——afewminutesafterIgotthere。I
asked-tobeshowntoahotel。Hesaidtherewasn\'tanythatwouldaccommodatemarriedwomen。Hegraspedmyhand——lookedforawedding-ring。ThenIsawhewas——hewasintoxicated。Hetoldmehewouldgoforahotelporter。Buthecamebackwithapadre——PadreMarcos。Thepoorpriestwas——terriblyfrightened。
SowasI。Stewarthadturnedintoadevil。Hefiredhisgunatthepadre\'sfeet。Hepushedmeintoabench。Againheshot——
rightbeforemyface。I——Inearlyfainted。ButIheardhimcursingthepadre——heardthepadreprayingorchanting——Ididn\'tknowwhat。StewarttriedtomakemesaythingsinSpanish。Allatonceheaskedmyname。Itoldhim。Hejerkedatmyveil。I
tookitoff。Thenhethrewhisgundown——pushedthepadreoutofthedoor。ThatwasjustbeforethevaquerosapproachedwithBonita。PadreMarcosmusthaveseenthem——musthaveheardthem。
AfterthatStewartgrewquicklysober。Hewasmortified——
distressed——strickenwithshame。Hetoldmehehadbeendrinkingatawedding——Iremember，itwasEdLinton\'swedding。Thenheexplained——theboyswerealwaysgambling——hewageredhewouldmarrythefirstgirlwhoarrivedatElCajon。Ihappenedtobethefirstone。Hetriedtoforcemetomarryhim。Therest——
relatingtotheassaultonthevaquero——Ihavealreadytoldyou。\"
Madelineended，outofbreathandpanting，withherhandspresseduponherheavingbosom。Revelationofthatsecretliberatedemotion；thosehurriedoutspokenwordshadmadeherthrobandtrembleandburn。StrangelythenshethoughtofAlfredandhiswrath。Buthestoodmotionless，asifdazed。StillwellwastryingtoholsterupthecrushedStewart。
Hawerolledhisredeyesandthrewbackhishead。
\"Ho，ho，ho！Ho，ho，ho！Say，Sneed，youdidn\'tmissanyofit，didye？Haw，haw！BestIeverheerdinallmyborndays。Ho，ho！\"
Thenheceasedlaughing，andwithglintinggazeuponMadeline，insolentandviciousandsavage，hebegantodrawl：
\"Walnow，mylady，Ireckonyourstory，ifittallieswithBonita\'san\'PadreMarcos\'s，willclearGeneStewartintheeyesofthecourt。\"Herehegrewslower，morebiting，sharperandharderofface。\"Butyouneedn\'texpectPatHaweorthecourttoswallerthetpartofyourstory——aboutbein\'detainedunwillin\'！\"
Madelinehadnottimetograspthesenseofhislastwords。
Stewarthadconvulsivelysprungupward，whiteaschalk。AsheleapedatHaweStillwellinterposedhishugebulkandwrappedhisarmsaroundStewart。Therewasabrief，whirling，wrestlingstruggle。Stewartappearedtobebestingtheoldcattleman。
\"Help，boys，help！\"yelledStillwell。\"Ican\'tholdhim。Hurry，orthere\'sgoin\'tobebloodspilled！\"
NickSteeleandseveralcowboysleapedtoStillwell\'sassistance。
Stewart，gettingfree，tossedoneasideandthenanother。Theyclosedinonhim。Foraninstantafuriousstrainingwrestleofpowerfulbodiesmaderaspandshockandblow。OnceStewartheavedthemfromhim。Buttheyplungedbackuponhim——conqueredhim。
\"Gene！Why，Gene！\"pantedtheoldcattleman。\"Sureyou\'relocoed——toactthisway。Cooldown！Cooldown！Why，boy，it\'sallright。Jeststandstill——giveusachancetotalktoyou。
It\'sonlyoleBill，youknow——yourolepalwho\'striedtobeadaddytoyou。He\'sonlywantin\'youtohevsense——tobecool——towait。\"
\"Letmego！Letmego！\"criedStewart；andthepoignancyofthatcrypiercedMadeline\'sheart。\"Letmego，Bill，ifyou\'remyfriend。Isavedyourlifeonce——overinthedesert。Yousworeyou\'dneverforget。Boys，makehimletmego！Oh，Idon\'tcarewhatHawe\'ssaidordonetome！Itwasthatabouther！AreyouallalotofGreasers？Howcanyoustandit？Damnyouforalotofcowards！There\'salimit，Itellyou。\"Thenhisvoicebroke，felltoawhisper。\"Bill，dearoldBill，letmego。I\'llkillhim！YouknowI\'llkillhim！\"
\"Gene，Iknowyou\'dkillhimifyouhedanevenbreak，\"repliedStillwell，soothingly。\"But，Gene，why，youain\'tevenpackin\'agun！An\'there\'sPatlookin\'nasty，withhishandnervous-like。
Heseenyouhednogun。He\'djumpatthechancetoplugyounow，an\'thenholleraboutoppositiontothelaw。Cooldown，son；
it\'llallcomeright。\"
SuddenlyMadelinewastransfixedbyaterriblesound。
HerstartledglanceshiftedfromtheanxiousgrouproundStewarttoseethatMontyPricehadleapedofftheporch。Hecroucheddownwithhisbandsbelowhiships，wherethebiggunsswung。
FromhisdistortedlipsissuedthatwhichwascombinedroarandbellowandIndianwar-whoop，and，morethanall，ahorriblewarningcry。Heresembledahunchbackabouttomaketheleapofademon。Hewasquivering，vibrating。Hiseyes，blackandhot，werefastenedwithmostpiercingintentnessuponHaweandSneed。
\"Gitback，Bill，gitback！\"heroared。\"Git\'emback！\"WithonelungeStillwellshovedStewartandNickandtheothercowboysupontheporch。ThenhecrowdedMadelineandAlfredandFlorencetothewall，triedtoforcethemfarther。Hismotionswererapidandstern。Butfailingtogetthemthroughdoorandwindows，heplantedhiswidepersonbetweenthewomenanddanger。Madelinegraspedhisarm，heldon，andpeeredfearfullyfrombehindhisbroadshoulder。
\"You，Hawe！You，Sneed！\"calledMonty，inthatsamewildvoice。
\"Don\'tyoumoveafingeroraneyelash！\"
Madeline\'sfacultiesnervedtokeen，thrillingdivination。ShegraspedtherelationbetweenMonty\'sterriblecryandthestrangehunchedposturehehadassumed。Stillwell\'shasteandsilence，too，werepregnantofcatastrophe。
\"Nels，gitinthis！\"yelledMonty；andallthetimehenevershiftedhisintentgazeasmuchasahair\'s-breadthfromHaweandhisdeputy。\"Nels，chaseawaythemtwofellershangin\'backthere。Chase\'em，quick！\"
Thesemen，thetwodeputieswhohadremainedinthebackgroundwiththepack-horses，didnotwaitforNels。Theyspurredtheirmounts，wheeled，andgallopedaway。
\"Now，Nels，cutthegurlloose，\"orderedMonty。
Nelsranforward，jerkedthehalteroutofSneed\'shand，andpulledBonita\'shorseinclosetotheporch。Asheslittheropewhichboundhershefellintohisarms。
\"Hawe，gitdown！\"wentonMonty。\"Facefrontan\'stiff！\"
Thesheriffswunghisleg，and，nevermovinghishands，withhisfacenowadeathly，sickeningwhite，heslidtotheground。
\"Lineuptherebesideyourguerrillapard。There！Youtwomakeadamnfinepictoor，adamnfineteamofpizenedcoyotean\'acrossbetweenawildmulean\'aGreaser。Nowlisten！\"
Montymadealongpause，inwhichhisbreathingwasplainlyaudible。
Madeline\'seyeswereriveteduponMonty。Hermind，swiftaslightning，hadgatheredthesubtletiesinactionandwordsucceedinghisdominationofthemen。Violence，terribleviolence，thethingshehadfelt，thethingshehadfeared，thethingshehadsoughttoeliminatefromamonghercowboys，was，aftermanymonths，abouttobeenactedbeforehereyes。Ithadcomeatlast。ShehadsoftenedStillwell，shehadinfluencedNels，shehadchangedStewart；butthislittleblack-faced，terribleMontyPricenowrose，asitwere，outofhispastwildyears，andnopoweronearthorinheavencouldstayhishand。Itwasthehardlifeofwildmeninawildcountrythatwasabouttostrikethisblowather。Shedidnotshudder；shedidnotwishtoblotoutfromsightthislittleman，terribleinhismoodofwildjustice。ShesufferedaflashofhorrorthatMonty，blindanddeadtoherauthority，coldassteeltowardherpresence，understoodthedeepsofawoman\'ssoul。Forinthismomentofstrife，ofinsulttoher，oftorturetothemanshehadupliftedandthenbroken，thepassionofherreacheddeeptowardprimitivehate。Witheyesslowlyhazingred，shewatchedMontyPrice；shelistenedwiththrummingears；shewaited，slowlysaggingagainstStillwell。
\"Hawe，ifyouan\'yourdirtypardhevlovedthesoundofhumanvoice，thenlistenan\'listenhard，\"saidMonty。\"FerI\'vebeengoin\'contrarytomyolestylejesttohevatalkwithyou。Youallbutgotawayonyournerve，didn\'tyou？\'Causewhy？Yourollinherelikeamadsteeran\'flashyerbadgean\'talkmean，thenalmostbluffawaywithit。YouheerdallaboutMissHammond\'scowboyoutfitstoppin\'drinkin\'an\'cussin\'an\'packin\'guns。
They\'vetookonreligionan\'decentlivin\'，an\'surethey\'llbeeasytohobblean\'drivetojail。Hawe，listen。Therewasagoodan\'nobleanbe-ootifulwomancomeoutoftheEastsomewheres，an\'shebroughtalotofsunshinean\'happinessan\'newideesintothetoughlivesofcowboys。Ireckonit\'sbeyondyoutoknowwhatshecometomeantothem。Wal，I\'lltellyou。
They-allwentcleanoutoftheirheads。They-allgotsoftan\'
easyan\'sweet-tempered。Theygotsotheycouldn\'tkillacoyote，acrippledcalfinamud-hole。Theytooktobooks，an\'writin\'
hometomotheran\'sister，an\'tosavin\'money，an\'togittin\'
married。Oncttheywasonlyalotofpoorcowboys，an\'thensudden-liketheywashumanbein\'s，livin\'inabigworldthethedsomethin\'sweetevenferthem。Evenferme——anole，worn-out，hobble-legged，burned-upcowmanlikeme！Doyougitthet？An\'
you，MisterHawe，youcomealong，notsatisfiedwithropin\'an\'
beatin\'，an\'Gawknowswhatelse，ofthetfriendlesslittleBonita；youcomealongan\'facetheladywefellershonoran\'
lovean\'reverence，an\'you——you——Hell\'sfire！\"
Withwhistlingbreath，foamingatthemouth，MontyPricecrouchedlower，handsathiships，andheedgedinchbyinchfartheroutfromtheporch，closertoHaweandSneed。Madelinesawthemonlyintheblurredfringeofhersight。Theyresembledspecters。SheheardtheshrillwhistleofahorseandrecognizedMajestycallingherfromthecorral。
\"Thet\'sall！\"roaredMonty，inavoicenowstrangling。Lowerandlowerhebent，aterriblefigureofferocity。\"Now，bothyouarmedocifersofthelaw，comeon！Flashyourguns！Throw\'em，an\'bequick！MontyPriceisdone！There\'llbedaylightthroughyoubothbeforeyoufanahammer！ButI\'mgivin\'youachansttostingme。Youhollerlaw，an\'mywayistheolelaw。\"
Hisbreathcamequicker，hisvoicegrewhoarser，andhecrouchedlower。Allhisbodyexcepthisrigidarmsquiveredwithawonderfulmuscularconvulsion。
\"Dogs！Skunks！Buzzards！Flashthemguns，erI\'llflashmine！
Aha！\"
ToMadelineitseemedthethreestiff，crouchingmenleapedintoinstantandunitedaction。Shesawstreaksoffire——streaksofsmoke。Thenacrashingvolleydeafenedher。Itceasedasquickly。Smokeveiledthescene。Slowlyitdriftedawaytodisclosethreefallenmen，oneofwhom，Monty，leanedonhislefthand，asmokingguninhisright。Hewatchedforamovementfromtheothertwo。Itdidnotcome。Then，withaterriblesmile，heslidbackandstretchedout。
XXIUnbridledInwakingandsleepinghoursMadelineHammondcouldnotreleaseherselffromthethrallingmemoryofthattragedy。ShewashauntedbyMontyPrice\'sterriblesmile。Onlyinactionofsomekindcouldsheescape；andtothatendsheworked，shewalkedandrode。Sheevenovercameastrongfeeling，whichshefearedwasunreasonabledisgust，fortheMexicangirlBonita，wholayillattheranch，bruisedandfeverish，inneedofskilfulnursing。
Madelinefelttherewassomethinginscrutablechanginghersoul。
Thatstrife——thestruggletodecideherdestinyforEastorWest——
heldstillfurtheraloof。Shewasneverspirituallyalone。
Therewasasteponhertrail。Indoorsshewasoppressed。Sherequiredtheopen——thelightandwind，thesightofendlessslope，thesoundsofcorralandpondandfield，physicalthings，naturalthings。
Oneafternoonsherodedowntothealfalfa-fields，roundthem，andbackuptothespillwayofthelowerlake，whereagroupofmesquite-trees，owingtothewaterthatseepedthroughthesandtotheirroots，hadtakenonbloomandbeautyofrenewedlife。
Underthesetreestherewasshadeenoughtomakeapleasantplacetolinger。Madelinedismounted，desiringtorestalittle。Shelikedthisquiet，lonelyspot。Itwasreallytheonlysecludednooknearthehouse。Ifsherodedownintothevalleyorouttothemesaoruponthefoothillsshecouldnotgoalone。ProbablynowStillwellorNelsknewherwhereabouts。Butasshewascomparativelyhiddenhere，sheimaginedasolitudethatwasnotactuallyhers。
Herhorse，Majesty，tossedhisheadandflunghismaneandswitchedhistailattheflies。Hewouldratherhavebeencuttingthewinddownthevalleyslope。Madelinesatwithherbackagainstatree，andtookoffhersombrero。Thesoftbreeze，fanningherhotface，blowingstrandsofherhair，wasrefreshinglycool。Sheheardtheslowtrampofcattlegoingintodrink。Thatsoundceased，andthegroveofmesquitesappearedtobelifeless，exceptforherandherhorse。Itwas，however，onlyaftermomentsofattentionthatshefoundtheplacewasfarfrombeingdead。Keeneyesandearsbroughtreward。Desertquail，asgrayasthebareearth，weredustingthemselvesinashadyspot。Abee，swiftaslight，hummedby。Shesawahornedtoad，thecolorofstone，squattinglow，hidingfearfullyinthesandwithinreachofherwhip。Sheextendedthepointofthewhip，andthetoadquiveredandswelledandhissed。Itwasinstinctwithfight。Thewindfaintlystirredthethinfoliageofthemesquites，makingamournfulsigh。Fromfarupinthefoothills，barelydistinguishable，camethescreamofaneagle。
Thebrayofaburrobroughtabrief，discordantbreak。Thenabrownbirddarteddownfromanunseenperchandmadeaswift，irregularflightafteraflutteringwingedinsect。Madelineheardthesharpsnappingofamercilessbeak。Indeed，therewasmorethanlifeintheshadeofthemesquites。
SuddenlyMajestypickeduphislongearsandsnorted。ThenMadelineheardaslowpadofhoofs。Ahorsewasapproachingfromthedirectionofthelake。Madelinehadlearnedtobewary，and，mountingMajesty，sheturnedhimtowardtheopen。Amomentlatershefeltgladofhercaution，for，lookingbackbetweenthetrees，shesawStewartleadingahorseintothegrove。Shewouldasliefhavemetaguerrillaasthiscowboy。
Majestyhadbrokenintoatrotwhenashrillwhistlerenttheair。Thehorseleapedand，wheelingsoswiftlythathenearlyunseatedMadeline，hechargedbackstraightforthemesquites。
Madelinespoketohim，criedangrilyathim，pulledwithallherstrengthuponthebridle，butwashelplesslyunabletostophim。
Hewhistledapiercingblast。MadelinerealizedthenthatStewart，hisoldmaster，hadcalledhimandthatnothingcouldturnhim。Shegaveuptrying，andattendedtotheurgentneedofinterceptingmesquiteboughsthatMajestythrashedintomotion。
Thehorsethumpedintoanaislebetweenthetreesand，stoppingbeforeStewart，whinniedeagerly。
Madeline，notknowingwhattoexpect，hadnottimeforanyfeelingbutamaze。AquickglanceshowedherStewartinroughgarb，dressedforthetrail，andleadingawiryhorse，saddledandpacked。WhenStewart，withoutlookingather，puthisarmaroundMajesty\'sneckandlaidhisfaceagainsttheflowingmaneMadeline\'sheartsuddenlybegantobeatwithunwontedquickness。
Stewartseemedoblivioustoherpresence。Hiseyeswereclosed。
Hisdarkfacesoftened，lostitshardnessandfiercenessandsadness，andforaninstantbecamebeautiful。
Madelineinstantlydivinedwhathisactionmeant。Hewasleavingtheranch；thiswashisgood-bytohishorse。Howstrange，sad，finewasthislovebetweenmanandbeast！AdimnessconfusedMadeline\'seyes；shehurriedlybrusheditaway，anditcamehackwetandblurring。Sheavertedherface，ashamedofthetearsStewartmightsee。Shewassorryforhim。Hewasgoingaway，andthistime，judgingfromthenatureofhisfarewelltohishorse，itwastobeforever。LikeastabfromacoldbladeapainshotthroughMadeline\'sheart。Thewonderofit，theincomprehensibilityofit，theutternewnessandstrangenessofthissharppainthatnowleftbehindadullpang，madeherforgetStewart，hersurroundings，everythingexcepttosearchherheart。
Maybeherewasthesecretthathadeludedher。Shetrembledonthebrinkofsomethingunknown。Insomestrangewaytheemotionbroughtbackhergirlhood。Hermindrevolvedswiftqueriesandreplies；shewasliving，feeling，learning；happinessmockedatherfrombehindabarreddoor，andthebarofthatdoorseemedtobeaninexplicablepain。Thenlikelightningstrokesshotthequestions：Whyshouldpainhideherhappiness？Whatwasherhappiness？Whatrelationhadittothisman？Whyshouldshefeelstrangelyabouthisdeparture？Andthevoiceswithinherweresilenced，stunned，unanswered。
\"Iwanttotalktoyou，\"saidStewart。
Madelinestarted，turnedtohim，andnowshesawtheearlierStewart，themanwhoremindedheroftheirfirstmeetingatElCajon，ofthatmemorablemeetingatChiricahua。
\"Iwanttoaskyousomething，\"hewenton。\"I\'vebeenwantingtoknowsomething。That\'swhyI\'vehungonhere。Youneverspoketome，nevernoticedme，nevergavemeachancetoaskyou。ButnowI\'mgoingover——overtheborder。AndIwanttoknow。Whydidyourefusetolistentome？\"
Athislastwordsthathotshame，tenfoldmorestiflingthanwhenithadbeforehumiliatedMadeline，rushedoverher，sendingthescarletinawavetohertemples。Itseemedthathiswordsmadeherrealizeshewasactuallyfacetofacewithhim，thatsomehowashameshewouldratherhavediedthanrevealedwasbeingliberated。Bitingherlipstoholdbackspeech，shejerkedonMajesty\'sbridle，struckhimwithherwhip，spurredhim。
Stewart\'sironarmheldthehorse。ThenMadeline，inaflashofpassion，struckatStewart\'sface，missedit，struckagain，andhit。Withonepull，almostdrawingherfromthesaddle，hetorethewhipfromherhands。Itwasnotthatactiononhispart，orthesuddenstrongmasterfulnessofhislook，somuchasthelividmarkonhisfacewherethewhiphadlashedthatquieted，ifitdidnotcheck，herfury。
That\'snothing，\"hesaid，withsomethingofhisoldaudacity。
\"That\'snothingtohowyou\'vehurtme。\"
Madelinebattledwithherselfforcontrol。Thismanwouldnotbedenied。Neverbeforehadthehardnessofhisface，theflintyhardnessofthesedesert-bredmen，sostruckherwithitsrevelationoftheunbridledspirit。Helookedstern，haggard，bitter。Thedarkshadewaschangingtogray——thegraytoash-colorofpassion。Abouthimnowtherewasonlytheghostofthatfiner，gentlermanshehadhelpedtobringintobeing。Thepiercingdarkeyeshebentuponherburnedher，wentthroughherasifhewerelookingintohersoul。ThenMadeline\'squicksightcaughtafleetingdoubt，awistfulness，asurprisedandsaddenedcertaintyinhiseyes，sawitshadeandpassaway。Herwoman\'sintuition，askeenashersight，toldherStewartinthatmomenthadsustainedashockofbitter，finaltruth。
Forthethirdtimeherepeatedhisquestiontoher。Madelinedidnotanswer；shecouldnotspeak。
\"Youdon\'tknowIloveyou，doyou？\"hecontinued，passionately。
\"ThateversinceyoustoodbeforemeinthatholeatChiricahuaI\'velovedyou？Youcan\'tseeI\'vebeenanotherman，lovingyou，workingforyou，livingforyou？Youwon\'tbelieveI\'veturnedmybackontheoldwildlife，thatI\'vebeendecentandhonorableandhappyanduseful——yourkindofacowboy？Youcouldn\'ttell，thoughIlovedyou，thatIneverwantedyoutoknowit，thatI
neverdaredtothinkofyouexceptasmyangel，myholyVirgin？
Whatdoyouknowofaman\'sheartandsoul？Howcouldyoutellofthelove，thesalvationofamanwho\'slivedhislifeinthesilenceandloneliness？Whocouldteachyoutheactualtruth——
thatawildcowboy，faithlesstomotherandsister，exceptinmemory，ridingahard，drunkentrailstraighttohell；hadlookedintotheface，theeyesofabeautifulwomaninfinitelybeyondhim，abovehim，andhadsolovedherthathewassaved——thathebecamefaithfulagain——thathesawherfaceineveryflowerandhereyesintheblueheaven？Whocouldtellyou，whenatnightI
stoodaloneundertheseWesternstars，howdeepinmysoulIwasgladjusttobealive，tobeabletodosomethingforyou，tobenearyou，tostandbetweenyouandworry，trouble，danger，tofeelsomehowthatIwasapart，justalittlepartoftheWestyouhadcometolove？\"
Madelinewasmute。Sheheardherheartthunderinginherears。
Stewartleapedather。Hispowerfulhandclosedonherarm。Shetrembled。Hisactionpresagedtheoldinstinctiveviolence。
\"No；butyouthinkIkeptBonitaupinthemountains，thatIwentsecretlytomeether，thatallthewhileIservedyouIwas——Oh，Iknowwhatyouthink！Iknownow。IneverknewtillImadeyoulookatme。Now，sayit！Speak！\"
White-hot，blinded，utterlyinthefierygraspofpassion，powerlesstostemtherushofawordbothshamefulandrevealingandfatal，Madelinecried：
\"YES！\"
Hehadwrenchedthatwordfromher，buthewasnotsubtleenough，notversedinthemysteryofwoman\'smotiveenough，todivinethedeepsignificanceofherreply。
Forhimthewordhadonlyliteralmeaningconfirmingthedishonorinwhichsheheldhim。Droppingherarm，heshrankback，astrangeactionforthesavageandcrudemanshejudgedhimtobe。
\"ButthatdayatChiricahuayouspokeoffaith，\"heburstout。
\"Yousaidthegreatestthingintheworldwasfaithinhumannature。Yousaidthefinestmenhadbeenthosewhohadfallenlowandhadrisen。Yousaidyouhadfaithinme！Youmademehavefaithinmyself！\"
Hisreproach，withoutbitternessorscorn，wasalashtoheroldegoisticbeliefinherfairness。Shehadpreachedabeautifulprinciplethatshehadfailedtoliveupto。Sheunderstoodhisrebuke，shewonderedandwavered，buttheaffronttoherpridehadbeentoogreat，thetumultwithinherbreasthadbeentoostartlinglyfierce；shecouldnotspeak，themomentpassed，andwithithisbrief，ruggedsplendorofsimplicity。
\"YouthinkIamvile，\"hesaid。\"YouthinkthataboutBonita！
AndallthetimeI\'vebeen……Icouldmakeyouashamed——I
couldtellyou——\"
Hispassionateutteranceceasedwithasnapofhisteeth。Hislipssetinathin，bitterline。Theagitationofhisfaceprecededaconvulsivewrestlingofhisshoulders。Allthisswiftactiondenotedaninnercombat，anditnearlyoverwhelmedhim。
\"No，no！\"hepanted。Wasithisanswertosomemightytemptation？Then，likeabentsaplingreleased，hesprangerect。
\"ButI\'llbetheman——thedog——youthinkme！\"
Helaidholdofherarmwithrude，powerfulclutch。Onepulldrewherslidinghalfoutofthesaddleintohisarms。Shefellwithherbreastagainsthis，notwhollyfreeofstirrupsorhorse，andthereshehung，utterlypowerless。Maddened，writhing，shetoretoreleaseherself。Allshecouldaccomplishwastotwistherself，raiseherselfhighenoughtoseehisface。Thatalmostparalyzedher。Didhemeantokillher？Thenhewrappedhisarmsaroundherandcrushedhertighter，closertohim。Shefeltthepoundofhisheart；herownseemedtohavefrozen。Thenhepressedhisburninglipstohers。Itwasalong，terriblekiss。
Shefelthimshake。
\"Oh，Stewart！I——implore——you——let——me——go！\"shewhispered。
Hiswhitefaceloomedoverhers。Sheclosedhereyes。Herainedkissesuponherface，butnomoreuponhermouth。Onherclosedeyes，herhair，hercheeks，herneckhepressedswiftlips——lipsthatlosttheirfireandgrewcold。Thenhereleasedher，and，liftingandrightingherinthesaddle，hestillheldherarmtokeepherfromfalling。
ForamomentMadelinesatonherhorsewithshuteyes。Shedreadedthelight。
\"Nowyoucan\'tsayyou\'veneverbeenkissed，\"Stewartsaid。Hisvoiceseemedalongwayoff。\"Butthatwascomingtoyou，sobegame。Here！\"
Shefeltsomethinghardandcoldandmetallicthrustintoherhand。Hemadeherfingerscloseoverit，holdit。Thefeelofthethingrevivedher。Sheopenedhereyes。Stewarthadgivenherhisgun。Hestoodwithhisbroadbreastagainstherknee，andshelookeduptoseethatoldmockingsmileonhisface。
\"Goahead！Throwmygunonme！Beathoroughbred！\"
Madelinedidnotyetgrasphismeaning。
\"Youcanputmedowninthatquietplaceonthehill——besideMontyPrice。\"
Madelinedroppedthegunwithashudderingcryofhorror。Thesenseofhiswords，thememoryofMonty，thecertaintythatshewouldkillStewartifsheheldthegunaninstantlonger，torturedtheself-accusingcryfromher。
Stewartstoopedtopickuptheweapon。
\"Youmighthavesavedmeahellofalotoftrouble，\"hesaid，withanotherflashofthemockingsmile。\"You\'rebeautifulandsweetandproud，butyou\'renothoroughbred！MajestyHammond，adios！\"
Stewartleapedforthesaddleofhishorse，andwiththeflyingmountcrashedthroughthemesquitestodisappear。
XXIITheSecretToldIntheshadedseclusionofherroom，buriedfacedowndeepamongthesoftcushionsonhercouch，MadelineHammondlayprostrateandquiveringundertheoutrageshehadsuffered。
Theafternoonworeaway；twilightfell；nightcame；andthenMadelinerosetositbythewindowtoletthecoolwindblowuponherhotface。Shepassedthroughhoursofunintelligibleshameandimpotentrageandfutilestrivingtoreasonawayherdefilement。
Thetrainofbrighteningstarsseemedtomockherwiththeirunattainablepassionlessserenity。Shehadlovedthem，andnowsheimaginedshehatedthemandeverythingconnectedwiththiswild，fateful，andabruptWest。
Shewouldgohome。
EdithWaynehadbeenright；theWestwasnoplaceforMadelineHammond。Thedecisiontogohomecameeasily，naturally，shethought，astheresultofevents。Itcausedhernomentalstrife。Indeed，shefanciedshefeltrelief。Thegreatstars，blinkingwhiteandcoldoverthedarkcrags，lookeddownuponher，and，asalways，aftershehadwatchedthemforawhiletheyenthralledher。\"UnderWesternstars，\"shemused，thinkingalittlescornfullyoftheromanticdestinytheyhadblazedforheridlesentiment。Buttheywerebeautiful；theywerespeaking；
theyweremocking；theydrewher。\"Ah！\"shesighed。\"Itwillnotbesoveryeasytoleavethem，afterall。\"
Madelineclosedanddarkenedthewindow。Shestruckalight。Itwasnecessarytotelltheanxiousservantswhoknockedthatshewaswellandrequirednothing。Asoftsteponthewalkoutsidearrestedher。Whowasthere——NelsorNickSteeleorStillwell？
Whosharedtheguardianshipoverher，nowthatMontyPricewasdeadandthatother——thatsavage——？Itwasmonstrousandunfathomablethatsheregrettedhim。
Thelightannoyedher。Completedarknessfittedherstrangemood。Sheretiredandtriedtocomposeherselftosleep。Sleepforherwasnotamatterofwill。Hercheeksburnedsohotlythatsherosetobathethem。Coldwaterwouldnotalleviatethisburn，andthen，despairingofforgetfulness，shelaydownagainwithashamefulgratitudeforthecloakofnight。Stewart\'skisseswerethere，scorchingherlips，herclosedeyes，herswellingneck。Theypenetrateddeeperanddeeperintoherblood，intoherheart，intohersoul——theterriblefarewellkissesofapassionate，hardenedman。Despitehisbaseness，hehadlovedher。
LateinthenightMadelinefellasleep。Inthemorningshewaspaleandlanguid，butinamentalconditionthatpromisedcomposure。
ItwasconsiderablyafterherregularhourthatMadelinerepairedtoheroffice。Thedoorwasopen，andjustoutside，tippedbackinachair，satStillwell。
\"Mawnin\'，MissMajesty，\"hesaid，asherosetogreetherwithhisusualcourtesy。Thereweresignsoftroubleinhislinedface。Madelineshrankinwardly，fearinghisoldlamentationsaboutStewart。Thenshesawadusty，raggedponyintheyardandalittleburrodroopingunderaheavypack。Bothanimalsboreevidenceoflong，arduoustravel。
\"Towhomdotheybelong？\"askedMadeline。
\"Themcritters？Why，DannyMains，\"repliedStillwell，withacoughthatbetrayedembarrassment。
\"DannyMains？\"echoedMadeline，wonderingly。
\"Wal，Isaidso。\"
Stillwellwasindeednothimself。
IsDannyMainshere？\"sheasked，insuddencuriosity。
Theoldcattlemannoddedgloomily。
\"Yep，he\'shyar，allright。Slopedinfromthehills，an\'heholleredtoseeBonita。He\'slocoed，too，aboutthatlittleblack-eyedhussy。Why，hehardlysaid，\'Howdy，Bill，\'beforehebeguntoaskwildan\'eagerquestions。ItookhimintoseeBonita。He\'sbeentheremore\'nahalf-hournow。\"
EvidentlyStillwell\'ssensitivefeelingshadbeenruffled，Madeline\'scuriositychangedtoblankastonishment，whichleftherwithathrillingpremonition。Shecaughtherbreath。A
thousandthoughtsseemedthrongingforclearconceptioninhermind。