下载辰思小说免费APP
IAGentlemanoftheRangeWhenMadelineHammondsteppedfromthetrainatElCajon，NewMexico，itwasnearlymidnight，andherfirstimpressionwasofahugedarkspaceofcool，windyemptiness，strangeandsilent，stretchingawayundergreatblinkingwhitestars。
"Miss，there\'snoonetomeetyou，"saidtheconductor，ratheranxiously。
"Iwiredmybrother，"shereplied。"Thetrainbeingsolate——
perhapshegrewtiredofwaiting。Hewillbeherepresently。
But，ifheshouldnotcome——surelyIcanfindahotel？"
"There\'slodgingstobehad。Getthestationagenttoshowyou。
Ifyou\'llexcuseme——thisisnoplaceforaladylikeyoutobealoneatnight。It\'saroughlittletown——mostlyMexicans，miners，cowboys。Andtheycarousealot。Besides，therevolutionacrosstheborderhasstirredupsomeexcitementalongtheline。
Miss，Iguessit\'ssafeenough，ifyou——"
"Thankyou。Iamnotintheleastafraid。"
AsthetrainstartedtoglideawayMissHammondwalkedtowardsthedimlylightedstation。AsshewasabouttoentersheencounteredaMexicanwithsombrerohidinghisfeaturesandablanketmantlinghisshoulders。
"IsthereanyoneheretomeetMissHammond？"sheasked。
"Nosabe，Senora，"herepliedfromunderthemufflingblanket，andheshuffledawayintotheshadow。
Sheenteredtheemptywaiting-room。Anoil-lampgaveoutathickyellowlight。Theticketwindowwasopen，andthroughitshesawtherewasneitheragentnoroperatorinthelittlecompartment。
Atelegraphinstrumentclickedfaintly。
MadelineHammondstoodtappingashapelyfootonthefloor，andwithsomeamusementcontrastedherreceptioninElCajonwithwhatitwaswhensheleftatrainattheGrandCentral。TheonlytimeshecouldremembereverhavingbeenalonelikethiswasoncewhenshehadmissedhermaidandhertrainataplaceoutsideofVersailles——anadventurethathadbeenanovelanddelightfulbreakintheprescribedroutineofhermuch-chaperonedlife。Shecrossedthewaiting-roomtoawindowand，holdingasideherveil，lookedout。Atfirstshecoulddescryonlyafewdimlights，andtheseblurredinhersight。Ashereyesgrewaccustomedtothedarknessshesawasuperblybuilthorsestandingnearthewindow。
Beyondwasabaresquare。Or，ifitwasastreet，itwasthewidestoneMadelinehadeverseen。Thedimlightsshonefromlow，flatbuildings。Shemadeoutthedarkshapesofmanyhorses，allstandingmotionlesswithdroopingheads。Throughaholeinthewindow-glasscameacoolbreeze，andonitbreathedasoundthatstruckcoarselyuponherear——adiscordantminglingoflaughterandshout，andthetrampofbootstothehardmusicofaphonograph。
"Westernrevelry，"musedMissHammond，assheleftthewindow。
"Now，whattodo？I\'llwaithere。Perhapsthestationagentwillreturnsoon，orAlfredwillcomeforme。"
Asshesatdowntowaitshereviewedthecauseswhichaccountedfortheremarkablesituationinwhichshefoundherself。ThatMadelineHammondshouldbealone，atalatehour，inadingylittleWesternrailroadstation，wasindeedextraordinary。
Thecloseofherdebutanteyearhadbeenmarredbytheonlyunhappyexperienceofherlife——thedisgraceofherbrotherandhisleavinghome。Shedatedthebeginningofacertainthoughtfulhabitofmindfromthattime，andadissatisfactionwiththebrilliantlifesocietyofferedher。Thechangehadbeensogradualthatitwaspermanentbeforesherealizedit。Forawhileanactiveoutdoorlife——golf，tennis，yachting——keptthisrealizationfrombecomingmorbidintrospection。Therecameatimewheneventheselostcharmforher，andthenshebelievedshewasindeedillinmind。Traveldidnothelpher。
Therehadbeenmonthsofunrest，ofcuriouslypainfulwondermentthatherposition，herwealth，herpopularitynolongersufficed。
Shebelievedshehadlivedthroughthedreamsandfanciesofagirltobecomeawomanoftheworld。Andshehadgoneonasbefore，apartoftheglitteringshow，butnolongerblindtothetruth——thattherewasnothinginherluxuriouslifetomakeitsignificant。
Sometimesfromthedepthsofherthereflashedupatoddmomentsintimationsofafuturerevolt。Sherememberedoneeveningattheoperawhenthecurtainbadrisenuponaparticularlywell-donepieceofstagescenery——abroadspaceofdeepdesolateness，reachingawayunderaninfinitudeofnightsky，illuminedbystars。Thesuggestionitbroughtofvastwastesoflonely，ruggedearth，ofagreat，blue-archedvaultofstarrysky，pervadedhersoulwithastrange，sweetpeace。
Whenthescenewaschangedshelostthisvaguenewsenseofpeace，andsheturnedawayfromthestageinirritation。Shelookedatthelong，curvedtierofglitteringboxesthatrepresentedherworld。Itwasadistinguishedandsplendidworld——thewealth，fashion，culture，beauty，andbloodofanation。She，MadelineHammond，wasapartofit。Shesmiled，shelistened，shetalkedtothemenwhofromtimetotimestrolledintotheHammondbox，andshefeltthattherewasnotamomentwhenshewasnatural，truetoherself。Shewonderedwhythesepeoplecouldnotsomehow，somewaybedifferent；butshecouldnottellwhatshewantedthemtobe。Iftheyhadbeendifferenttheywouldnothavefittedtheplace；indeed，theywouldnothavebeenthereatall。Yetshethoughtwistfullythattheylackedsomethingforher。
Andsuddenlyrealizingshewouldmarryoneofthesemenifshedidnotrevolt，shehadbeenassailedbyagreatweariness，anicy-sickeningsensethatlifehadpalleduponher。Shewastiredoffashionablesociety。Shewastiredofpolished，imperturbablemenwhosoughtonlytopleaseher。Shewastiredofbeingfeted，admired，loved，followed，andimportuned；tiredofpeople；tiredofhouses，noise，ostentation，luxury。Shewassotiredofherself！
Inthelonelydistancesandthepassionlessstarsofboldlypaintedstagesceneryshehadcaughtaglimpseofsomethingthatstirredhersoul。Thefeelingdidnotlast。Shecouldnotcallitback。Sheimaginedthattheveryboldnessofthescenehadappealedtoher；shedivinedthatthemanwhopaintedithadfoundinspiration，joy，strength，serenityinruggednature。Andatlastsheknewwhatsheneeded——tobealone，tobroodforlonghours，togazeoutonlonely，silent，darkeningstretches，towatchthestars，tofacehersoul，tofindherrealself。
ThenitwasshehadfirstthoughtofvisitingthebrotherwhohadgoneWesttocasthisfortunewiththecattlemen。Asithappened，shehadfriendswhowereontheeveofstartingforCalifornia，andshemadeaquickdecisiontotravelwiththem。
WhenshecalmlyannouncedherintentionofgoingoutWesthermotherhadexclaimedinconsternation；andherfather，surprisedintopatheticmemoryoftheblacksheepofthefamily，hadstaredatherwithglisteningeyes。"Why，Madeline！Youwanttoseethatwildboy！"Thenhehadrevertedtotheangerhestillfeltforhiswaywardson，andhehadforbiddenMadelinetogo。Hermotherforgotherhaughtypoiseanddignity。Madeline，however，hadexhibitedawillshehadneverbeforebeenknowntopossess。
Shestoodhergroundeventoremindingthemthatshewastwenty-fourandherownmistress。Intheendshehadprevailed，andthatwithoutbetrayingtherealstateofhermind。
Herdecisiontovisitherbrotherhadbeentoohurriedlymadeandacteduponforhertowritehimaboutit，andsoshehadtelegraphedhimfromNewYork，andalso，adaylater，fromChicago，wherehertravelingfriendshadbeendelayedbyillness。
Nothingcouldhaveturnedherbackthen。MadelinehadplannedtoarriveinElCajononOctober3d，herbrother\'sbirthday，andshehadsucceeded，thoughherarrivaloccurredatthetwenty-fourthhour。Hertrainhadbeenseveralhourslate。WhetherornotthemessagehadreachedAlfred\'shandsshehadnomeansoftelling，andthethingwhichconcernedhernowwasthefactthatshehadarrivedandhewasnottheretomeether。
Itdidnottakelongforthoughtofthepasttogivewaywhollytotherealityofthepresent。
"IhopenothinghashappenedtoAlfred，"shesaidtoherself。
"Hewaswell，doingsplendidly，thelasttimehewrote。Tobesure，thatwasagoodwhileago；but，then，heneverwroteoften。
He\'sallright。Prettysoonhe\'llcome，andhowgladI\'llbe！I
wonderifhehaschanged。"
AsMadelinesatwaitingintheyellowgloomsheheardthefaint，intermittentclickofthetelegraphinstrument，thelowhumofwires，theoccasionalstampofaniron-shodhoof，andadistantvacantlaughrisingabovethesoundsofthedance。Thesecommonplacethingswerenewtoher。Shebecameconsciousofaslightquickeningofherpulse。MadelinehadonlyalimitedknowledgeoftheWest。Likeallofherclass，shehadtraveledEuropeandhadneglectedAmerica。Afewlettersfromherbrotherhadconfusedheralreadyvagueideasofplainsandmountains，aswellasofcowboysandcattle。Shehadbeenastoundedattheinterminabledistanceshehadtraveled，andiftherehadbeenanythingattractivetolookatinallthatjourneyshehadpasseditinthenight。Andhereshesatinadingylittlestation，withtelegraphwiresmoaningalonelysonginthewind。
AfaintsoundliketherattlingofthinchainsdivertedMadeline\'sattention。Atfirstsheimagineditwasmadebythetelegraphwires。Thensheheardastep。Thedoorswungwide；atallmanentered，andwithhimcametheclinkingrattle。Sherealizedthenthatthesoundcamefromhisspurs。Themanwasacowboy，andhisentrancerecalledvividlytoherthatofDustinFarnuminthefirstactof"TheVirginian。"
"Willyoupleasedirectmetoahotel？"askedMadeline，rising。
Thecowboyremovedhissombrero，andthesweephemadewithitandtheaccompanyingbow，despitetheirexaggeration，hadakindofrudegrace。Hetooktwolongstridestowardher。
"Lady，areyoumarried？"
InthepastMissHammond\'ssenseofhumorhadoftenhelpedhertooverlookcriticalexactionsnaturaltoherbreeding。Shekeptsilence，andsheimagineditwasjustaswellthatherveilhidherfaceatthemoment。Shehadbeenpreparedtofindcowboysratherstriking，andshehadbeenwarnednottolaughatthem。
Thisgentlemanoftherangedeliberatelyreacheddownandtookupherlefthand。Beforesherecoveredfromherstartofamazehehadstrippedoffherglove。
"Finespark，butnowedding-ring，"hedrawled。"Lady，I\'mgladtoseeyou\'renotmarried。"
Hereleasedherhandandreturnedtheglove。
"Yousee，theonlyho-telinthisheretownisagainstboardingmarriedwomen。"
"Indeed？"saidMadeline，tryingtoadjustherwitstothesituation。
"Itsureis，"hewenton。"Badbusinessforho-telstohavemarriedwomen。Keepstheboysaway。Yousee，thisisn\'tReno。"
Thenhelaughedratherboyishly，andfromthat，andthewayheslouchedonhissombrero，Madelinerealizedhewashalfdrunk。
Assheinstinctivelyrecoiledshenotonlygavehimakeenerglance，butsteppedintoapositionwhereabetterlightshoneonhisface。Itwaslikeredbronze，bold，raw，sharp。Helaughedagain，asifgood-naturedlyamusedwithhimself，andthelaughscarcelychangedthehardsetofhisfeatures。Likethatofallwomenwhosebeautyandcharmhadbroughtthemmuchbeforetheworld，MissHammond\'sintuitionhadbeendevelopeduntilshehadadelicateandexquisitelysensitiveperceptionofthenatureofmenandofhereffectuponthem。Thiscrudecowboy，undertheinfluenceofdrink，hadaffrontedher；nevertheless，whateverwasinhismind，hemeantnoinsult。
"Ishallbegreatlyobligedifyouwillshowmetothehotel，"
shesaid。
"Lady，youwaithere，"hereplied，slowly，asifhisthoughtdidnotcomeswiftly。"I\'llgofetchtheporter。"
Shethankedhim，andashewentout，closingthedoor，shesatdowninconsiderablerelief。Itoccurredtoherthatsheshouldhavementionedherbrother\'sname，ThenshefelltowonderingwhatlivingwithsuchuncouthcowboyshaddonetoAlfred。Hehadbeenwildenoughincollege，andshedoubtedthatanycowboycouldhavetaughthimmuch。ShealoneofherfamilybadeverbelievedinanylatentgoodinAlfredHammond，andherfaithhadscarcelysurvivedthetwoyearsofsilence。
Waitingthere，sheagainfoundherselflisteningtothemoanofthewindthroughthewires。Thehorseoutsidebegantopoundwithheavyhoofs，andoncehewhinnied。ThenMadelineheardarapidpattering，lowatfirstandgrowinglouder，whichpresentlysherecognizedasthegallopingofhorses。Shewenttothewindow，thinking，hopingherbrotherhadarrived。Butastheclatterin-creasedtoaroar，shadowsspedby——leanhorses，flyingmanesandtails，sombreroedriders，allstrangeandwildinhersight。Recallingwhattheconductorhadsaid，shewasatsomepainstoquellheruneasiness。Dust-cloudsshroudedthedimlightsinthewindows。Thenoutofthegloomtwofiguresappeared，onetall，theotherslight。Thecowboywasreturningwithaporter。
Heavyfootstepssoundedwithout，andlighteronesdraggingalong，andthensuddenlythedoorraspedopen，jarringthewholeroom。
Thecowboyentered，pullingadisheveledfigure——thatofapriest，apadre，whosemantlehadmanifestlybeendisarrangedbytherudegraspofhiscaptor。Plainitwasthatthepadrewasextremelyterrified。
MadelineHammondgazedinbewildermentatthelittleman，sopaleandshaken，andaprotesttrembleduponherlips；butitwasneveruttered，forthishalf-drunkencowboynowappearedtobeacool，grim-smilingdevil；andstretchingoutalongarm，hegraspedherandswungherbacktothebench。
"Youstaythere！"heordered。
Hisvoice，thoughneitherbrutalnorharshnorcruel，hadtheunaccountableeffectofmakingherfeelpowerlesstomove。Nomanhadeverbeforeaddressedherinsuchatone。Itwasthewomaninherthatobeyed——notthepersonalityofproudMadelineHammond。
Thepadreliftedhisclaspedhandsasifsupplicatingforhislife，andbegantospeakhurriedlyinSpanish。Madelinedidnotunderstandthelanguage。Thecowboypulledoutahugegunandbrandisheditinthepriest\'sface。Thenheloweredit，apparentlytopointitatthepriest\'sfeet。Therewasaredflash，andthenathunderingreportthatstunnedMadeline。Theroomfilledwithsmokeandthesmellofpowder。Madelinedidnotfaintorevenshuthereyes，butshefeltasifshewerefastinacoldvise。Whenshecouldseedistinctlythroughthesmokesheexperiencedasensationofimmeasurablereliefthatthecowboyhadnotshotthepadre。Buthewasstillwavingthegun，andnowappearedtobedragginghisvictimtowardher。Whatpossiblycouldbethedrunkenfool\'sintention？Thismustbe，thissurelywasacowboytrick。Shehadavague，swiftlyflashingrecollectionofAlfred\'sfirstlettersdescriptiveoftheextravagantfunofcowboys。Thenshevividlyrememberedamovingpictureshehadseen——cowboysplayingamonstrousjokeonaloneschool-teacher。MadelinenosoonerthoughtofitthanshemadecertainherbrotherwasintroducinghertoalittlewildWestamusement。Shecouldscarcelybelieveit，yetitmustbetrue。
Alfred\'soldloveofteasinghermighthaveextendedeventothisoutrage。Probablyhestoodjustoutsidethedoororwindowlaughingatherembarrassment。
Angercheckedherpanic。Shestraightenedupwithwhatcomposurethissurprisehadleftherandstartedforthedoor。Butthecowboybarredherpassage——graspedherarms。ThenMadelinedivinedthatherbrothercouldnothaveanyknowledgeofthisindignity。Itwasnotrick。Itwassomethingthatwashappening，thatwasreal，thatthreatenedsheknewnotwhat。Shetriedtowrenchfree，feelinghotalloveratbeinghandledbythisdrunkenbrute。Poise，dignity，culture——alltheacquiredhabitsofcharacter——fledbeforetheinstincttofight。Shewasathletic。Shefought。Shestruggleddesperately。Butheforcedherbackwithhandsofiron。Shehadneverknownamancouldbesostrong。Andthenitwastheman\'scoollysmilingface，theparalyzingstrangenessofhismanner，morethanhisstrength，thatweakenedMadelineuntilshesanktremblingagainstthebench。
"What——doyou——mean？"shepanted。
"Dearie，easeupalittleonthebridle，"hereplied，gaily。
Madelinethoughtshemustbedreaming。Shecouldnotthinkclearly。Ithadallbeentooswift，tooterribleforhertograsp。Yetshenotonlysawthisman，butalsofelthispowerfulpresence。Andtheshakingpriest，thehazeofbluesmoke，thesmellofpowder-thesewerenotunreal。
Thenclosebeforehereyesburstanotherblindingredflash，andcloseatherearsbellowedanotherreport。Unabletostand，Madelineslippeddownontothebench。Herdriftingfacultiesrefusedclearlytorecordwhattranspiredduringthenextfewmoments；presently，however，ashermindsteadiedsomewhat，sheheard，thoughasinadream，thevoiceofthepadrehurryingoverstrangewords。Itceased，andthenthecowboy\'svoicestirredher。
"Lady，saySi——Si。Sayit——quick！Sayit——Si！"
Fromsheersuggestion，aforceirresistibleatthismomentwhenherwillwasclampedbypanic，shespoketheword。
"Andnow，lady——sowecanfinishthisproperly——what\'syourname？"
Stillobeyingmechanically，shetoldhim。
Hestaredforawhile，asifthenamehadawakenedassociationsinamindsomewhatbefogged。Heleanedbackunsteadily。
Madelineheardtheexpulsionofhisbreath，akindofhardpuff，notunusualindrunkenmen。
"Whatname？"hedemanded。
"MadelineHammond。IamAlfredHammond\'ssister。"
Heputhishandupandbrushedatanimaginarysomethingbeforehiseyes。Thenheloomedoverher，andthathand，nowshakingalittle，reachedoutforherveil。Beforehecouldtouchit，however，shesweptitback，revealingherface。
"You\'re——not——MajestyHammond？"
Howstrange——strangerthananythingthathadeverhappenedtoherbefore——wasittohearthatnameonthelipsofthiscowboy！Itwasanamebywhichshewasfamiliarlyknown，thoughonlythosenearestanddearesttoherhadtheprivilegeofusingit。Andnowitrevivedherdulledfaculties，andbyaneffortsheregainedcontrolofherself。
"YouareMajestyHammond，"hereplied；andthistimeheaffirmedwonderinglyratherthanquestioned。
Madelineroseandfacedhim。
"Yes，Iam。"
Heslammedhisgunbackintoitsholster。
"Well，Ireckonwewon\'tgoonwithit，then。"
"Withwhat，sir？AndwhydidyouforcemetosaySitothispriest？"
"IreckonthatwasawayItooktoshowhimyou\'dbewillingtogetmarried。"
"Oh！……You——you！……"Wordsfailedher。
Thisappearedtogalvanizethecowboyintoaction。Hegraspedthepadreandledhimtowardthedoor，cursingandthreatening，nodoubtenjoiningsecrecy。Thenhepushedhimacrossthethresholdandstoodtherebreathinghardandwrestlingwithhimself。
"Here——wait——waitaminute，Miss——MissHammond，"hesaid，huskily。"Youcouldfallintoworsecompanythanmine——thoughI
reckonyousurethinknot。I\'mprettydrunk，butI\'m——allrightotherwise。Justwait——aminute。"
Shestoodquiveringandblazingwithwrath，andwatchedthissavagefighthisdrunkenness。Heactedlikeamanwhohadbeensuddenlyshockedintoarationalstateofmind，andhewasnowbattlingwithhimselftoholdontoit。Madelinesawthedark，damphairliftfromhisbrowsasheheldituptothecoolwind。
Abovehimshesawthewhitestarsinthedeep-bluesky，andtheyseemedasunrealtoherasanyotherthinginthisstrangenight。
Theywerecold，brilliant，aloof，distant；andlookingatthem，shefeltherwrathlessenanddieandleavehercalm。
Thecowboyturnedandbegantotalk。
"Yousee——Iwasprettydrunk，"helabored。"Therewasafiesta——
andawedding。IdofoolthingswhenI\'mdrunk。ImadeafoolbetI\'dmarrythefirstgirlwhocametotown……Ifyouhadn\'twornthatveil——thefellowswerejoshingme——andEdLintonwasgettingmarried——andeverybodyalwayswantstogamble……
Imusthavebeenprettydrunk。"
Aftertheonelookatherwhenshehadfirstputasideherveilhehadnotraisedhiseyestoherface。Thecoolaudacityhadvanishedinwhatwaseitherexcessiveemotionorthemaudlinconditionpeculiartosomemenwhendrunk。Hecouldnotstandstill；perspirationcollectedinbeadsuponhisforehead；hekeptwipinghisfacewithhisscarf，andhebreathedlikeamanafterviolentexertions。
"Yousee——Iwaspretty——"hebegan。
"Explanationsarenotnecessary，"sheinterrupted。"Iamverytired——distressed。Thehourislate。Haveyoutheslightestideawhatitmeanstobeagentleman？"
Hisbronzedfaceburnedtoaflamingcrimson。
"Ismybrotherhere——intownto-night？"Madelinewenton。
"No。He\'sathisranch。"
"ButIwiredhim。"
"LikeasnotthemessageisoverinhisboxattheP。O。He\'llbeintownto-morrow。He\'sshippingcattleforStillwell。"
"MeanwhileImustgotoahotel。Willyouplease——"
Ifheheardherlastwordsheshowednoevidenceofit。Anoiseoutsidehadattractedhisattention。Madelinelistened。Lowvoicesofmen，thesofterliquidtonesofawoman，driftedinthroughtheopendoor。TheyspokeinSpanish，andthevoicesgrewlouder。Evidentlythespeakerswereapproachingthestation。Footstepscrunchingongravelattestedtothis，andquickersteps，comingwithdeeptonesofmeninanger，toldofaquarrel。Thenthewoman\'svoice，hurriedandbroken，risinghigher，waseloquentofvainappeal。
Thecowboy\'sdemeanorstartledMadelineintoanticipationofsomethingdreadful。Shewasnotdeceived。Fromoutsidecamethesoundofascuffle——amuffledshot，agroan，thethudofafallingbody，awoman\'slowcry，andfootstepspaddingawayinrapidretreat。
MadelineHammondleanedweaklybackinherseat，coldandsick，andforamomentherearsthrobbedtothetrampofthedancersacrossthewayandtherhythmofthecheapmusic。Thenintotheopendoor-placeflashedagirl\'stragicface，lightedbydarkeyesandframedbyduskyhair。Thegirlreachedaslimbrownhandroundthesideofthedoorandheldonasiftosupportherself。Alongblackscarfaccentuatedhergaudyattire。
"Senor——Gene！"sheexclaimed；andbreathlessgladrecognitionmadeasuddenbreakinherterror。
"Bonita！"Thecowboyleapedtoher。"Girl！Areyouhurt？"
"No，Senor。"
Hetookholdofher。"Iheard——somebodygotshot。WasitDanny？"
"No，Senor。"
"DidDannydotheshooting？Tellme，girl。"
"No，Senor。"
"I\'msureglad。IthoughtDannywasmixedupinthat。HehadStillwell\'smoneyfortheboys——Iwasafraid……Say，Bonita，butyou\'llgetintrouble。Whowaswithyou？Whatdidyoudo？"
"SenorGene——theyDonCarlosvaqueros——theyquarreloverme。I
onlydancealeetle，smilealeetle，andtheyquarrel。Ibegtheybegood——watchoutforSheriffHawe……andnowSheriffHaweputmeinjail。Isofrighten；hetrymakeleetlelovetoBonitaonce，andnowhehatemelikehehateSenorGene。"
"PatHawewon\'tputyouinjail。TakemyhorseandhitthePeloncillotrail。Bonita，promisetostayawayfromElCajon。"
"Si，Senor。"
Heledheroutside。Madelineheardthehorsesnortandchamphisbit。Thecowboyspokelow；onlyafewwordswereintelligible——
"stirrups……wait……outoftown……mountain……trail……nowride！"
Amoment\'ssilenceensued，andwasbrokenbyapoundingofhoofs，apatteringofgravel。ThenMadelinesawabig，darkhorserunintothewidespace。Shecaughtaglimpseofwind-sweptscarfandhair，alittleformlowdowninthesaddle。Thehorsewasoutlinedinblackagainstthelineofdimlights。Therewassomethingwildandsplendidinhisflight。
Directlythecowboyappearedagaininthedoorway。
"MissHammond，Ireckonwewanttorustleoutofhere。Beenbadgoings-on。Andthere\'satraindue。"
Shehurriedintotheopenair，notdaringtolookbackortoeitherside。Herguidestrodeswiftly。Shehadalmosttoruntokeepupwithhim。Manyconflictingemotionsconfusedher。Shehadastrangesenseofthisstalkinggiantbesideher，silentexceptforhisjanglingspurs。Shehadastrangefeelingofthecool，sweetwindandthewhitestars。Wasitonlyherdisorderedfancy，ordidthesewonderfulstarsopenandshut？Shehadaqueer，disembodiedthoughtthatsomewhereinagesback，inanotherlife，shehadseenthesestars。Thenightseemeddark，yettherewasapale，luminouslight——alightfromthestars——andshefancieditwouldalwayshaunther。
Suddenlyawarethatshehadbeenledbeyondthelineofhouses，shespoke：
"Whereareyoutakingme？"
"ToFlorenceKingsley，"hereplied。
"Whoisshe？"
"Ireckonshe\'syourbrother\'sbestfriendouthere。"Madelinekeptpacewiththecowboyforafewmomentslonger，andthenshestopped。Itwasasmuchfromnecessitytocatchherbreathasitwasfromrecurringfear。Allatoncesherealizedwhatlittleusehertraininghadbeenforsuchanexperienceasthis。Thecowboy，missingher，camebackthefewinterveningsteps。Thenhewaited，stillsilent，loomingbesideher。
"It\'ssodark，solonely，"shefaltered。"HowdoIknow……
whatwarrantcanyougivemethatyou——thatnoharmwillbefallmeifIgofarther？"
"None，MissHammond，exceptthatI\'veseenyourface。"
IIASecretKeptBecauseofthatsingularreplyMadelinefoundfaithtogofartherwiththecowboy。Butatthemomentshereallydidnotthinkaboutwhathehadsaid。Anyanswertoherwouldhaveservedifithadbeenkind。Hissilencehadaugmentedhernervousness，compellinghertovoiceherfear。Still，evenifhehadnotrepliedatallshewouldhavegoneonwithhim。Sheshudderedattheideaofreturningtothestation，whereshebelievedtherehadbeenmurder；shecouldhardlyhaveforcedherselftogobacktothosedimlightsinthestreet；shedidnotwanttowanderaroundaloneinthedark。
Andasshewalkedonintothewindydarkness，muchrelievedthathehadansweredashehad，reflectingthathehadyettoprovehiswordstrue，shebegantograspthedeepersignificanceofthem。Therewasarevivalofpridethatmadeherfeelthatsheoughttoscorntothinkatallaboutsuchaman。ButMadelineHammonddiscoveredthatthoughtwasinvoluntary，thattherewerefeelingsinherneverdreamedofbeforethisnight。
PresentlyMadeline\'sguideturnedoffthewalkandrappedatadoorofalow-roofedhouse。
"Hullo——who\'sthere？"adeepvoiceanswered。
"GeneStewart，"saidthecowboy。"CallFlorence——quick！"
Thumpoffootstepsfollowed，ataponadoor，andvoices。
Madelineheardawomanexclaim："Gene！herewhenthere\'sadanceintown！Somethingwrongoutontherange。"Alightflaredupandshonebrightthroughawindow。Inanothermomenttherecameapatterofsoftsteps，andthedooropenedtodiscloseawomanholdingalamp。
"Gene！Al\'snot——"
"Alisallright，"interruptedthecowboy。
Madelinehadtwosensationsthen——oneofwonderatthenoteofalarmandloveinthewoman\'svoice，andtheotherofunutterablerelieftohesafewithafriendofherbrother\'s。
"It\'sAl\'ssister——cameonto-night\'strain，"thecowboywassaying。"Ihappenedtobeatthestation，andI\'vefetchedheruptoyou。"
Madelinecameforwardoutoftheshadow。
"Not——notreallyMajestyHammond！"exclaimedFlorenceKingsley。
Shenearlydroppedthelamp，andshelookedandlooked，astoundedbeyondbelief。
"Yes，Iamreallyshe，"repliedMadeline。"Mytrainwaslate，andforsomereasonAlfreddidnotmeetme。Mr——Mr。Stewartsawfittobringmetoyouinsteadoftakingmetoahotel。"
"Oh，I\'msogladtomeetyou，"repliedFlorence，warmly。"Docomein。I\'msosurprised，Iforgetmymanners。Why，Alnevermentionedyourcoming。"
"Hesurelycouldnothavereceivedmymessages，"saidMadeline，assheentered。
Thecowboy，whocameinwithhersatchel，hadtostooptoenterthedoor，and，oncein，heseemedtofilltheroom。Florencesetthelampdownuponthetable。Madelinesawayoungwomanwithasmiling，friendlyface，andaprofusionoffairhairhangingdownoverherdressing-gown。
"Oh，butAlwillbeglad！"criedFlorence。"Why，youarewhiteasasheet。Youmusthetired。Whatalongwaityouhadatthestation！IheardthetraincomeinhoursagoasIwasgoingtobed。Thatstationislonelyatnight。IfIhadknownyouwerecoming！Indeed，youareverypale。Areyouill？"
"No。OnlyIamverytired。TravelingsofarbyrailisharderthanIimagined。Ididhaveratheralongwaitafterarrivingatthestation，butIcan\'tsaythatitwaslonely。"
FlorenceKingsleysearchedMadeline\'sfacewithkeeneyes，andthentookalong，significantlookatthesilentStewart。Withthatshedeliberatelyandquietlyclosedadoorleadingintoanotherroom。
"MissHammond，whathashappened？"Shehadloweredhervoice。
"Idonotwishtorecallallthathashappened，"repliedMadeline。"IshalltellAlfred，however，thatIwouldratherhavemetahostileApachethanacowboy。"
"Pleasedon\'ttellAlthat！"criedFlorence。ThenshegraspedStewartandpulledhimclosetothelight。"Gene，you\'redrunk！"
"Iwasprettydrunk，"hereplied，hanginghishead。
"Oh，whathaveyoudone？"
"Now，seehere，Flo，Ionly——"
"Idon\'twanttoknow。I\'dtellit。Gene，aren\'tyouevergoingtolearndecency？Aren\'tyouevergoingtostopdrinking？
You\'llloseallyourfriends。Stillwellhasstucktoyou。Al\'sbeenyourbestfriend。MollyandIhavepleadedwithyou，andnowyou\'vegoneanddone——Godknowswhat！"
"Whatdowomenwanttowearveilsfor？"hegrowled。"I\'dhaveknownherbutforthatveil。"
"Andyouwouldn\'thaveinsultedher。Butyouwouldthenextgirlwhocamealong。Gene，youarehopeless。Now，yougetoutofhereanddon\'tevercomeback。"
"Flo！"heentreated。
"Imeanit。"
"IreckonthenI\'llcomebackto-morrowandtakemymedicine，"hereplied。
"Don\'tyoudare！"shecried。
Stewartwentoutandclosedthedoor。
"MissHammond，you——youdon\'tknowhowthishurtsme，"saidFlorence。"Whatyoumustthinkofus！It\'ssounluckythatyoushouldhavehadthishappenrightatfirst。Now，maybeyouwon\'thavethehearttostay。Oh，I\'veknownmorethanoneEasterngirltogohomewithouteverlearningwhatwereallyarecuthere。MissHammond，GeneStewartisafiendwhenhe\'sdrunk。
AllthesameIknow，whateverbedid，hemeantnoshametoyou。
Comenow，don\'tthinkaboutitagainto-night。"ShetookupthelampandledMadelineintoalittleroom。"ThisisoutWest，"
shewenton，smiling，assheindicatedthefewfurnishings；"butyoucanrest。You\'reperfectlysafe。Won\'tyouletmehelpyouundress——can\'tIdoanythingforyou？"
"Youareverykind，thankyou，butIcanmanage，"repliedMadeline。
"Well，then，goodnight。ThesoonerIgothesooneryou\'llrest。
Justforgetwhathappenedandthinkhowfineasurpriseyou\'retogiveyourbrotherto-morrow。"
Withthatsheslippedoutandsoftlyshutthedoor。
AsMadelinelaidherwatchonthebureaushenoticedthatthetimewaspasttwoo\'clock。Itseemedlongsinceshehadgottenoffthetrain。Whenshehadturnedoutthelampandcreptwearilyintobedsheknewwhatitwastobeutterlyspent。Shewastootiredtomoveafinger。Butherbrainwhirled。
Shehadatfirstnocontroloverit，andathousandthrongingsensationscameandwentandrecurredwithlittlelogicalrelation。Thereweretheroarofthetrain；thefeelingofbeinglost；thesoundofpoundinghoofs；apictureofherbrother\'sfaceasshehadlastseenitfiveyearsbefore；along，dimlineoflights；thejingleofsilverspurs；night，wind，darkness，stars。Thenthegloomystation，theshadowyblanketedMexican，theemptyroom，thedimlightsacrossthesquare，thetrampofthedancersandvacantlaughsanddiscordantmusic，thedoorflungwideandtheentranceofthecowboy。Shedidnotrecallhowhehadlookedorwhathehaddone。Andthenextinstantshesawhimcool，smiling，devilish——sawhiminviolence；thenexthisbigness，hisapparel，hisphysicalbeingwerevagueasoutlinesinadream。Thewhitefaceofthepadreflashedalonginthetrainofthought，anditbroughtthesamedull，half-blind，indefinablestateofmindsubsequenttothatlastnerve-breakingpistol-shot。Thatpassed，andthenclearandvividrosememoriesoftherestthathadhappened——strangevoicesbetrayingfuryofmen，adeadenedreport，amoanofmortalpain，awoman\'spoignantcry。AndMadelinesawthegirl\'sgreattragiceyesandthewildflightofthebighorseintotheblackness，andthedark，stalkingfigureofthesilentcowboy，andthewhitestarsthatseemedtolookdownremorselessly。
ThistideofmemoryrolledoverMadelineagainandagain，andgraduallylostitspowerandfaded。Alldistresslefther，andshefeltherselfdrifting。Howblacktheroomwas——asblackwithhereyesopenasitwaswhentheywereshut！Andthesilence——itwaslikeacloak。Therewasabsolutelynosound。Shewasinanotherworldfromthatwhichsheknew。Shethoughtofthisfair-hairedFlorenceandofAlfred；and，wonderingaboutthem，shedroppedtosleep。
Whensheawakenedtheroomwasbrightwithsunlight。Acoolwindblowingacrossthebedcausedhertoputherhandsundertheblanket。Shewaslazilyanddreamilycontemplatingthemudwallsofthislittleroomwhensherememberedwhereshewasandhowshehadcomethere。
Howgreatashockshehadbeensubjectedtowasmanifestinasensationofdisgustthatoverwhelmedher。Sheevenshuthereyestotryandblotouttherecollection。Shefeltthatshehadbeencontaminated。
PresentlyMadelineHammondagainawoketothefactshehadlearnedtheprecedingnight——thattherewereemotionstowhichshehadheretoforebeenastranger。Shedidnottrytoanalyzethem，butsheexercisedherself-controltosuchgoodpurposethatbythetimeshehaddressedshewasoutwardlyherusualself。Shescarcelyrememberedwhenshehadfounditnecessarytocontrolheremotions。Therehadbeennotrouble，noexcitement，nounpleasantnessinherlife。Ithadbeenorderedforher——
tranquil，luxurious，brilliant，varied，yetalwaysthesame。
Shewasnotsurprisedtofindthehourlate，andwasgoingtomakeinquiryaboutherbrotherwhenavoicearrestedher。SherecognizedMissKingsley\'svoiceaddressingsomeoneoutside，andithadasharpnessshehadnotnotedbefore。
"Soyoucameback，didyou？Well，youdon\'tlookveryproudofyourselfthismawnin\'。GeneStewart，youlooklikeacoyote。"
"Say，FloifIamacoyoteI\'mnotgoingtosneak，"hesaid。
"What\'dyoucomefor？"shedemanded。
"IsaidIwascomingroundtotakemymedicine。"
"Meaningyou\'llnotrunfromAlHammond？Gene，yourskullisasthickasanoldcow\'s。Alwillneverknowanythingaboutwhatyoudidtohissisterunlessyoutellhim。Andifyoudothathe\'llshootyou。Shewon\'tgiveyouaway。She\'sathoroughbred。
Why，shewassowhitelastnightIthoughtshe\'ddropatmyfeet，butsheneverblinkedaneyelash。I\'mawoman，GeneStewartandifIcouldn\'tfeellikeMissHammondIknowhowawfulanordealshemusthavehad。Why，she\'soneofthemostbeautiful，themostsoughtafter，themostexclusivewomeninNewYorkCity。
There\'sacrowdofmillionairesandlordsanddukesafterher。
Howterribleit\'dheforawomanlikehertobekissedbyadrunkencowpuncher！Isayit——"
"Flo，Ineverinsultedherthatway，"brokeoutStewart。
"Itwasworse，then？"shequeried，sharply。
"ImadeabetthatI\'dmarrythefirstgirlwhocametotown。I
wasonthewatchandprettydrunk。Whenshecame——well，IgotPadreMarcosandtriedtobullyherintomarryingme。"
"Oh，Lord！"Florencegasped。"It\'sworsethanIfeared……Gene，Alwillkillyou。"
"That\'llbeagoodthing，"repliedthecowboy，dejectedly。
"GeneStewart，itcertainlywould，unlessyouturnoveranewleaf，"retortedFlorence。"Butdon\'tbeafool。"Andhereshebecameearnestandappealing。"Goaway，Gene。Gojointherebelsacrosstheborder——you\'realwaysthreateningthat。
Anyhow，don\'tstayhereandrunanychanceofstirringAlup。
He\'dkillyoujustthesameasyouwouldkillanothermanforinsultingyoursister。Don\'tmaketroubleforAl。That\'donlymakesorrowforher，Gene。"
ThesubtleimportwasnothostuponMadeline。Shewasdistressedbecauseshecouldnotavoidhearingwhatwasnotmeantforherears。Shemadeaneffortnottolisten，anditwasfutile。
"Flo，youcan\'tseethisaman\'sway，"hereplied，quietly。
"I\'llstayandtakemymedicine。"
"Gene，Icouldsureswearatyouoranyotherpig-headofacowboy。Listen。Mybrother-in-law，Jack，heardsomethingofwhatIsaidtoyoulastnight。Hedoesn\'tlikeyou。I\'mafraidhe\'lltellAl。ForHeaven\'ssake，man，godown-townandshuthimupandyourself，too。"
ThenMadelineheardhercomeintothehouseandpresentlyraponthedoorandcallsoftly：
"MissHammond。Areyouawake？"
"Awakeanddressed，MissKingsley。Comein。"
"Oh！You\'verested。Youlookso——sodifferent。I\'msureglad。
Comeoutnow。We\'llhavebreakfast，andthenyoumayexpecttomeetyourbrotheranymoment。"
"Wait，please。IheardyouspeakingtoMr。Stewart。Itwasunavoidable。ButIamglad。Imustseehim。Willyoupleaseaskhimtocomeintotheparloramoment？"
"Yes，"repliedFlorence，quickly；andassheturnedatthedoorsheflashedatMadelineawoman\'smeaningglance。"Makehimkeephismouthshut！"
Presentlytherewereslow，reluctantstepsoutsidethefrontdoor，thenapause，andthedooropened。Stewartstoodbareheadedinthesunlight。Madelinerememberedwithakindofshudderthetallform，theembroideredbuckskinvest，theredscarf，thebrightleatherwristbands，thewidesilver-buckledbeltandchaps。Herglanceseemedtorunoverhimswiftaslightning。Butasshesawhisfacenowshedidnotrecognizeit。
Theman\'spresencerousedinherarevolt。Yetsomethinginher，theincomprehensiblesideofhernature，thrilledinthelookofthissplendiddark-facedbarbarian。
"Mr。Stewart，willyoupleasecomein？"sheasked，afterthatlongpause。
"Ireckonnot，"hesaid。Thehopelessnessofhistonemeantthatheknewhewasnotfittoenteraroomwithher，anddidnotcareorcaredtoomuch。
Madelinewenttothedoor。Theman\'sfacewashard，yetitwassad，too。Andittouchedher。
"Ishallnottellmybrotherofyour——yourrudenesstome，"shebegan。Itwasimpossibleforhertokeepthechilloutofhervoice，tospeakwithotherthantheprideandaloofnessofherclass。Nevertheless，despiteherloathing，whenshehadspokensofaritseemedthatkindnessandpityfollowedinvoluntarily。
"Ichoosetooverlookwhatyoudidbecauseyouwerenotwhollyaccountable，andbecausetheremustbenotroublebetweenAlfredandyou。MayIrelyonyoutokeepsilenceandtosealthelipsofthatpriest？Andyouknowtherewasamankilledorinjuredtherelastnight。Iwanttoforgetthatdreadfulthing。Idon\'twantitknownthatIheard——"
"TheGreaserdidn\'tdie，"interruptedStewart。
"Ah！thenthat\'snotsobad，afterall。Iamgladforthesakeofyourfriend——thelittleMexicangirl。"
Aslowscarletwaveoverspreadhisface，andhisshamewaspainfultosee。ThatfixedinMadeline\'smindaconvictionthatifhewasaheathenhewasnotwhollybad。Anditmadesomuchdifferencethatshesmileddownathim。
"Youwillsparemefurtherdistress，willyounot，please？"Hishoarsereplywasincoherent，butsheneededonlytoseehisworkingfacetoknowhisremorseandgratitude。
Madelinewentbacktoherroom；andpresentlyFlorencecameforher，anddirectlytheyweresittingatbreakfast。MadelineHammond\'simpressionofherbrother\'sfriendhadtobereconstructedinthemorninglight。Shefeltawholesome，frank，sweetnature。ShelikedtheslowSoutherndrawl。AndshewaspuzzledtoknowwhetherFlorenceKingsleywasprettyorstrikingorunusual。Shehadayouthfulglowandflush，thecleartanofoutdoors，afacethatlackedthesoftcurvesandlinesofEasternwomen，andhereyeswerelightgray，likecrystal，steady，almostpiercing，andherhairwasabeautifulbright，wavingmass。
Florence\'ssisterwastheelderofthetwo，astoutwomanwithastrongfaceandquieteyes。Itwasasimplefareandservicetheygavetotheirguest；buttheymadenoapologiesforthat。
Indeed，Madelinefelttheirsimplicitytoberestful。Shewassatedwithrespect，sickofadmiration，tiredofadulation；anditwasgoodtoseethattheseWesternwomentreatedherasverylikelytheywouldhavetreatedanyothervisitor。Theyweresweet，kind；andwhatMadelinehadatfirstthoughtwasalackofexpressionorvitalityshesoondiscoveredtobethenaturalreserveofwomenwhodidnotlivesuperficiallives。Florencewasbreezyandfrank，hersisterquaintandnotgivenmuchtospeech。Madelinethoughtshewouldliketohavethesewomennearherifshewereillorintrouble。Andshereproachedherselfforafastidiousness，ahypercriticalsenseofrefinementthatcouldnothelpdistinguishingwhatthesewomenlacked。
"Canyouride？"Florencewasasking。"That\'swhataWesterneralwaysasksanyonefromtheEast。Canyouridelikeaman——
astride，Imean？Oh，that\'sfine。Youlookstrongenoughtoholdahorse。Wehavesomefinehorsesouthere。IreckonwhenAlcomeswe\'llgoouttoBillStillwell\'sranch。We\'llhavetogo，whetherwewanttoornot，forwhenBilllearnsyouareherehe\'lljustpackusalloff。You\'llloveoldBill。Hisranchisrundown，buttherangeandtheridesupinthemountains——theyarebeautiful。We\'llhuntandclimb，andmostofallwe\'llride。
Iloveahorse——Ilovethewindinmyface，andawidestretchwiththemountainsbeckoning。Youmusthavethebesthorseontheranges。AndthatmeansascrapbetweenAlandBillandallthecowboys。Wedon\'tallagreeabouthorses，exceptincaseofGeneStewart\'siron-gray。"
"DoesMr。Stewartownthebesthorseinthecountry？"askedMadeline。AgainshehadaninexplicablethrillassherememberedthewildflightofStewart\'sbigdarksteedandrider。
"Yes，andthat\'sallhedoesown，"repliedFlorence。"Genecan\'tkeepevenaquirt。Buthesurelovesthathorseandcallshim——"
Atthisjunctureasharpknockontheparlordoorinterruptedtheconversation。Florence\'ssisterwenttoopenit。Shereturnedpresentlyandsaid：
"It\'sGene。He\'sbeendawdlin\'outthereonthefrontporch，andheknockedtoletusknowMissHammond\'sbrotheriscomin\'。"
Florencehurriedintotheparlor，followedbyMadeline。Thedoorstoodopen，anddisclosedStewartsittingontheporchsteps。
Fromdowntheroadcameaclatterofhoofs。MadelinelookedcutoverFlorence\'sshoulderandsawacloudofdustapproaching，andinitshedistinguishedoutlinesofhorsesandriders。Awarmthspreadoverher，alittletingleofgladness，andthefeelingrecalledhergirlishloveforherbrother。Whatwouldhebelikeafterlongyears？
"Gene，hasJackkepthismouthshut？"queriedFlorence；andagainMadelinewasawareofasharpringinthegirl\'svoice。
"No，"repliedStewart。
"Gene！Youwon\'tletitcometoafight？Alcanbemanaged。
ButJackhatesyouandhe\'llhavehisfriendswithhim。"
"Therewon\'tbeanyfight。"
"Useyourbrainsnow，"addedFlorence；andthensheturnedtopushMadelinegentlybackintotheparlor。
Madeline\'sglowofwarmthchangedtoablankdismay。Wasshetoseeherbrotheractwiththeviolenceshenowassociatedwithcowboys？Theclatterofhoofsstoppedbeforethedoor。Lookingout，Madelinesawabunchofdusty，wiryhorsespawingthegravelandtossingleanheads。Herswiftglanceranoverthelithehorsemen，tryingtopickouttheonewhowasherbrother。Butshecouldnot。Herglance，however，caughtthesameroughdressandhardaspectthatcharacterizedthecowboyStewart。Thenoneriderthrewhisbridle，leapedfromthesaddle，andcameboundinguptheporchsteps。Florencemethimatthedoor。
"Hello，Flo。Whereisshe？"hecalled，eagerly。WiththathelookedoverhershouldertoespyMadeline。Heactuallyjumpedather。Shehardlyknewthetallformandthebronzedface，butthewarmflashofblueeyeswasfamiliar。Asforhim，hehadnodoubtofhissister，itappeared，forwithbrokenwelcomehethrewhisarmsaroundher，thenheldheroffandlookedsearchinglyather。
"Well，sister，"hebegan，whenFlorenceturnedhurriedlyfromthedoorandinterruptedhim。
"Al，Ithinkyou\'dbetterstopthewranglingoutthere。"Hestaredather，appearedsuddenlytoheartheloudvoicesfromthestreet，andthen，releasingMadeline，hesaid：
"ByGeorge！Iforgot，Flo。Thereisalittlebusinesstoseeto。Keepmysisterinhere，please，anddon\'tbefussedupnow。"
Hewentoutontheporchandcalledtohismen：
"Shutoffyourwind，Jack！Andyou，too，Blaze！Ididn\'twantyoufellowstocomehere。Butasyouwouldcome，you\'vegottoshutup。Thisismybusiness。"
WhereuponheturnedtoStewart，whowassittingonthefence。
"Hello，Stewart！"hesaid。
Itwasagreeting；buttherewasthatinthevoicewhichalarmedMadeline。
Stewartleisurelygotupandleisurelyadvancedtotheporch。
"Hello，Hammond！"hedrawled。
"Drunkagainlastnight？"
"Well，ifyouwanttoknow，andifit\'sanyofyourmix，yes，I
was-prettydrunk，"repliedStewart。
Itwasakindofcoolspeechthatshowedthecowboyincontrolofhimselfandmasterofthesituation——notaneasyspeechtofollowupwithundueinquisitiveness。Therewasashortsilence。
"Damnit，Stewart，"saidthespeaker，presently，"here\'sthesituation：It\'sallovertownthatyoumetmysisterlastnightatthestationand——andinsultedher。Jack\'sgotitinforyou，sohavetheseotherboys。Butit\'smyaffair。Understand，I
didn\'tfetchthemhere。Theycanseeyousquareyourself，orelse——Gene，you\'vebeenonthewrongtrailforsometime，drinkingandallthat。You\'regoingtothebad。ButBillthinks，andIthink，you\'restillaman。Weneverknewyoutolie。Nowwhathaveyoutosayforyourself？"
"NobodyisinsinuatingthatIamaliar？"drawledStewart。
"No。"
"Well，I\'mgladtohearthat。Yousee，Al，Iwasprettydrunklastnight，butnotdrunkenoughtoforgettheleastthingIdid。
ItoldPatHawesothismorningwhenhewascurious。Andthat\'spoliteformetobetoPat。Well，IfoundMissHammondwaitingaloneatthestation。Sheworeaveil，butIknewshewasalady，ofcourse。Iimagine，nowthatIthinkofit，thatMissHammondfoundmygallantryratherstartling，and——"
AtthispointMadeline，answeringtounconsideredimpulse，eludedFlorenceandwalkedoutupontheporch。
Sombrerosflasheddownandtheleanhorsesjumped。
"Gentlemen，"saidMadeline，ratherbreathlessly；anditdidnotaddtohercalmnesstofeelahotflushinhercheeks，"IamverynewtoWesternways，butIthinkyouarelaboringunderamistake，which，injusticetoMr。Stewart，Iwanttocorrect。
Indeed，hewasrather——ratherabruptandstrangewhenhecameuptomelastnight；butasIunderstandhimnow，Icanattributethattohisgallantry。Hewassomewhatwildandsuddenand——
sentimentalinhisdemandtoprotectme——anditwasnotclearwhetherhemeanthisprotectionforlastnightorforever；butI
amhappytosaybeofferedmenowordthatwasnothonorable。AndbesawmesafelyheretoMissKingsley\'shome。"
IIISisterandBrotherThenMadelinereturnedtothelittleparlorwiththebrotherwhomshehadhardlyrecognized。
"Majesty！"heexclaimed。"Tothinkofyourbeinghere！"
Thewarmthstolebackalongherveins。Sherememberedhowthatpetnamehadsoundedfromthelipsofthisbrotherwhobadgivenittoher。
"Alfred！"
Thenhiswordsofgladnessatsightofher，hischagrinatnotbeingatthetraintowelcomeher，werenotsomemorableofhimasthewayheclaspedher，forhehadheldherthatwaythedayhelefthome，andshehadnotforgotten。Butnowhewassomuchtallerandbigger，sodustyandstrangeanddifferentandforceful，thatshecouldscarcelythinkhimthesameman。Sheevenhadahumorousthoughtthatherewasanothercowboybullyingher，andthistimeitwasherbrother。
"Dearoldgirl，"hesaid，morecalmly，ashelethergo，"youhaven\'tchangedatall，excepttogrowlovelier。Onlyyou\'reawomannow，andyou\'vefulfilledthenameIgaveyou。God！howsightofyoubringsbackhome！ItseemsahundredyearssinceI
left。Imissedyoumorethanalltherest。"
Madelineseemedtofeelwithhiseverywordthatshewasrememberinghim。Shewassoamazedatthechangeinhimthatshecouldnotbelievehereyes。Shesawabronzed，strong-jawed，eagle-eyedman，stalwart，superbofheight，and，likethecowboys，belted，booted，spurred。Andtherewassomethinghardasironinhisfacethatquiveredwithhiswords。Itseemedthatonlyinthosemomentswhenthehardlinesbrokeandsoftenedcouldsheseeresemblancetothefacesheremembered。Itwashismanner，thetoneofhisvoice，andthetricksofspeechthatprovedtoherhewasreallyAlfred。Shehadbiddengood-bytoadisgraced，disinherited，dissoluteboy。Wellsherememberedthehandsomepalefacewithitsweaknessandshadowsandcarelesssmile，withtheever-presentcigarettehangingbetweenthelips。
Theyearshadpassed，andnowshesawhimaman——theWesthadmadehimaman。AndMadelineHammondfeltastrong，passionategladnessandgratefulness，andadirectchecktohersuddenlyinspiredhatredoftheWest。
"Majesty，itwasgoodofyoutocome。I\'mallbrokenup。Howdidyoueverdoit？Butnevermindthatnow。Tellmeaboutthatbrotherofmine。"
AndMadelinetoldhim，andthenabouttheirsisterHelen。
Questionafterquestionhefiredather；andshetoldhimofhermother；ofAuntGrace，whohaddiedayearago；ofhisoldfriends，married，scattered，vanished。Butshedidnottellhimofhisfather，forhedidnotask。
Quitesuddenlytherapid-firequestioningceased；hechoked，wassilentamoment，andthenburstintotears。Itseemedtoherthatalong，stored-upbitternesswasfloodingaway。Ithurthertoseehim——hurthermoretohearhim。Andinthesucceedingfewmomentsshegrewclosertohimthanshehadeverbeeninthepast。Hadherfatherandmotherdonerightbyhim？Herpulsestirredwithunwontedquickness。Shedidnotspeak，butshekissedhim，which，forher，wasanindicationofunusualfeeling。
Andwhenherecoveredcommandoverhisemotionshemadenoreferencetohisbreakdown，nordidshe。ButthatscenestruckdeepintoMadelineHammond\'sheart。Throughitshesawwhathehadlostandgained。
"Alfred，whydidyounotanswermylastletters？"askedMadeline。
"Ihadnotheardfromyoufortwoyears。"
"Solong？Howtimeflies！Well，thingswentbadwithmeaboutthelasttimeIheardfromyou。Ialwaysintendedtowritesomeday，butIneverdid。"
"Thingswentwrong？Tellme。"
"Majesty，youmustn\'tworryyourselfwithmytroubles。Iwantyoutoenjoyyourstayandnotbebotheredwithmydifficulties。"
"Pleasetellme。Isuspectedsomethinghadgonewrong。ThatispartlywhyIdecidedtocomeout。"
"Allright；ifyoumustknow，"hebegan；anditseemedtoMadelinethattherewasagladnessinhisdecisiontounburdenhimself。"Yourememberallaboutmylittleranch，andthatforawhileIdidwellraisingstock？Iwroteyouallthat。Majesty，amanmakesenemiesanywhere。PerhapsanEasternmanintheWestcanmake，ifnotsomany，certainlymorebitterones。Atanyrate，Imadeseveral。Therewasacattleman，Wardbyname——he\'sgonenow——andheandIhadtroubleovercattle。Thatgavemeaback-set。PatHawe，thesheriffhere，hasbeeninstrumentalinhurtingmybusiness。He\'snotsomuchofarancher，buthehasinfluenceatSantaFeandElPasoandDouglas。Imadeanenemyofhim。Ineverdidanythingtohim。HehatesGeneStewart，andupononeoccasionIspoiledalittleplotofhistogetGeneinhisclutches。TherealreasonforhisanimositytowardmeisthathelovesFlorence，andFlorenceisgoingtomarryme。"
"Alfred！"
"What\'sthematter，Majesty？Didn\'tFlorenceimpressyoufavorably？"heasked，withakeenglance。
"Why——yes，indeed。Ilikeher。ButIdidnotthinkofherinrelationtoyou——thatway。Iamgreatlysurprised。Alfred，isshewellborn？Whatconnections？"
"Florenceisjustagirlofordinarypeople。ShewasborninKentucky，wasbroughtupinTexas。Myaristocraticandwealthyfamilywouldscorn——"
"Alfred，youarestillaHammond，"saidMadeline，withupliftedhead。
Alfredlaughed。"Wewon\'tquarrel，Majesty。Irememberyou，andinspiteofyourprideyou\'vegotaheart。Ifyoustayhereamonthyou\'llloveFlorenceKingsley。Iwantyoutoknowshe\'shadagreatdealtodowithstraighteningmeup……Well，togoonwithmystory。There\'sDonCarlos，aMexicanrancher，andhe\'smyworstenemy。Forthatmatter，he\'sasbadanenemyofBillStillwellandotherranchers。Stillwell，bytheway，ismyfriendandoneofthefinestmenonearth。IgotindebttoDonCarlosbeforeIknewhewassomean。InthefirstplaceIlostmoneyatfaro——IgambledsomewhenIcameWest——andthenImadeunwisecattledeals。DonCarlosisawilyGreaser，heknowstheranges，hehasthewater，andheisdishonest。Soheoutfiguredme。AndnowIampracticallyruined。Hehasnotgottenpossessionofmyranch，butthat\'sonlyamatteroftime，pendinglawsuitsatSantaFe。AtpresentIhaveafewhundredcattlerunningonStillwell\'srange，andIamhisforeman。"
