第3章

Thegreatmassofcattleseemedtobeeddyinglikeawhirlpool，andfromthatMadelineunderstoodthesignificanceoftherangeword"milling。"ButwhenMadelinelookedatoneendoftheherdshesawcattlestandingstill，facingoutward，andcalvescringingcloseinfear。Themotionofthecattleslowedfromtheinsideoftheherdtotheoutsideandgraduallyceased。Theroarandtrampofhoofsandcrackofhornsandthumpofheadsalsoceasedindegree，butthebawlingandbellowingcontinued。Whileshewatched，theherdspread，grewlessdense，andstragglersappearedtobeabouttoboltthroughthelineofmountedcowboys。

Fromthatmomentsomanythingshappened，andsoswiftly，thatMadelinecouldnotseeatenthofwhatwasgoingonwithineyesight。Itseemedhorsemendartedintotheherdanddroveoutcattle。Madelinepinnedhergazeononecowboywhorodeawhitehorseandwaschasingasteer。Hewhirledalassoaroundhisheadandthrewit；theropestreakedoutandtheloopcaughtthelegofthesteer。Thewhitehorsestoppedwithwonderfulsuddenness，andthesteerslidinthedust。Quickasaflashthecowboywasoutofthesaddle，and，graspingthelegsofthesteerbeforeitcouldrise，hetiedthemwitharope。Ithadallbeendonealmostasquicklyasthought。AnothermancamewithwhatMadelinedivinedwasabranding-iron。Heappliedittotheflankofthesteer。Thenitseemedthesteerwasupwithajump，wildlylookingforsomewaytorun，andthecowboywascirclinghislasso。Madelinesawfiresinthebackground，withamanincharge，evidentlyheatingtheirons。Thenthissamecowboyropedaheiferwhichbawledlustilywhenthehotironseareditshide。

Madelinesawthesmokerisingfromthetouchoftheiron，andthesightmadehershrinkandwanttoturnaway，butsheresolutelyfoughthersensitiveness。Shebadneverbeenabletobearthesightofanyanimalsuffering。Theroughworkinmen\'sliveswasasasealedbooktoher；andnow，forsomereasonbeyondherknowledge，shewantedtoseeandhearandlearnsomeoftheevery-daydutiesthatmadeupthoselives。

"Look，MissHammond，there\'sDonCarlos！"saidFlorence。"Lookatthatblackhorse！"

Madeleinesawadark-facedMexicanridingby。Hewastoofarawayforhertodistinguishhisfeatures，butheremindedherofanItalianbrigand。Hebestodeamagnificenthorse。

Stillwellrodeuptothegirlsthenandgreetedtheminhisbigvoice。

"Rightinthethickofit，hey？Wal，thet\'ssurefine。I\'mgladtosee，MissMajesty，thetyouain\'tafraidofalittledustorsmellofburnin\'hidean\'hair。"

"Couldn\'tyoubrandthecalveswithouthurtingthem？"askedMadeline。

"Haw，haw！Why，theyain\'thurtnone。Theyjestbawlfortheirmammas。Sometimes，though，wehevtohurtonejesttofindwhichishismamma。"

"Iwanttoknowhowyoutellwhatbrandtoputonthosecalvesthatareseparatedfromtheirmothers，"askedMadeline。

"Thet\'sdecidedbytheround-upbosses。I\'veonebossan\'DonCarloshasone。Theydecideeverything，an\'theyhevtobeobyed。There\'sNickSteele，myboss。Watchhim！He\'sridin\'abayinamongthecattlethere。Heordersthecalvesan\'steerstobecutout。Thenthecowboysdothecuttin\'outan\'thebrandin\'。Wetrytodivideupthemavericksasnearaspossible。"

AtthisjunctureMadeline\'sbrotherjoinedthegroup，evidentlyinsearchofStillwell。

"Bill，Nelsjustrodein，"hesaid。

"Good！Wesureneedhim。AnynewsofDannyMains？"

"No。Nelssaidhelostthetrailwhenhegotonhardground。"

"Wal，wal。Say，Al，yoursisterissuretakin\'totheround-up。

An\'theboysaregettin\'wise。Seethetsun-of-a-gunAmbrosecuttin\'capersallaround。He\'llsuredohisprettiest。Ambroseisaladies\'man，hethinks。"

ThetwomenandFlorencejoinedinalittlepleasantteasingofMadeline，anddrewherattentiontowhatappearedtobereallyunnecessaryfeatsofhorsemanshipallmadeinhervicinity。Thecowboysevincedtheirinterestincovertglanceswhilerecoilingalassoorwhilepassingtoandfro。ItwasalltooseriousforMadelinetobeamusedatthatmoment。Shedidnotcaretotalk。

Shesatherhorseandwatched。

Thelithe，darkvaquerosfascinatedher。Theywerehere，there，everywhere，withlariatsflying，horsesplungingback，jerkingcalvesandyearlingstothegrass。Theywerecrueltotheirmounts，crueltotheircattle。Madelinewincedasthegreatsilverrowelsofthespurswentplowingintotheflanksoftheirhorses。Shesawthesespursstainedwithblood，chokedwithhair。Shesawthevaquerosbreakthelegsofcalvesandletthemlietillawhitecowboycamealongandshotthem。Calveswerejerkeddownanddraggedmanyyards；steerswerepulledbyoneleg。ThesevaqueroswerethemostsuperbhorsemenMadelinehadeverseen，andshehadseentheCossacksandTatarsoftheRussiansteppes。Theywereswift，graceful，daring；theyneverfailedtocatcharunningsteer，andthelassoesalwayswenttrue。Whatsharpdashesthehorsesmade，andwheelingshereandthere，andsuddenstops，andhowtheybracedthemselvestowithstandtheshock！

Thecowboys，likewise，showedwonderfulhorsemanship，and，recklessastheywere，Madelineimaginedshesawconsiderationforsteedandcattlethatwaswantinginthevaqueros。TheychangedmountsoftenerthantheMexicanriders，andthehorsestheyunsaddledforfreshoneswerenotsospent，sowet，socoveredwithlather。ItwasonlyafteranhourormoreofobservationthatMadelinebegantorealizetheexceedinglytoilsomeanddangerousworkcowboyshadtoperform。Therewaslittleornorestforthem。Theywerecontinuallyamongwildandviciousandwide-hornedsteers。Inmanyinstancestheyowedtheirlivestotheirhorses。Thedangercamemostlywhenthecowboyleapedofftotieandbrandacalfhehadthrown。Someofthecowschargedwithlowered，twistinghorns。TimeandagainMadeline\'sheartleapedtoherthroatforfearamanwouldbegored。Onecowboyropedacalfthatbawledloudly。Itsmotherdashedinandjustmissedthekneelingcowboyasherolledover。

Thenhehadtorun，andhecouldnotrunveryfast。Hewasbow-leggedandappearedawkward。Madelinesawanothercowboythrownandnearlyrunoverbyaplungingsteer。Hishorseboltedasifitintendedtoleavetherange。ThenclosebyMadelineabigsteerwentdownattheendofalasso。Thecowboywhohadthrownitnimblyjumpeddown，andatthatmomenthishorsebegantorearandpranceandsuddenlytolowerhisheadclosetothegroundandkickhigh。Heranroundinacircle，thefallensteeronthetautlassoactingasapivot。Thecowboyloosedtheropefromthesteer，andthenwasdraggedaboutonthegrass。ItwasalmostfrightfulforMadelinetoseethatcowboygoathishorse。

Butsherecognizedthemasteryandskill。Thentwohorsescameintocollisionontherun。Onehorsewentdown；therideroftheotherwasunseatedandwaskickedbeforehecouldgetup。Thisfellowlimpedtohismountandstruckathim，whilethehorseshowedhisteethinaviciousattempttobite。

Allthewhilethisceaselessactivitywasgoingontherewasastrangeuproar——bawlandbellow，theshockofheavybodiesmeetingandfalling，theshrilljabberingofthevaqueros，andtheshoutsandbanteringsofthecowboys。Theytooksharpordersandrepliedinjest。Theywentaboutthissterntoilasifitwereagametobeplayedingoodhumor。Onesangarollickingsong，anotherwhistled，anothersmokedacigarette。Thesunwashot，andthey，liketheirhorses，weredrippingwithsweat。Thecharacteristicredfaceshadtakenonsomuchdustthatcowboyscouldnotbedistinguishedfromvaquerosexceptbythedifferenceindress。Bloodwasnotwantingontirelesshands。Theairwasthick，oppressive，rankwiththesmellofcattleandofburninghide。

Madelinebegantosicken。Shechokedwithdust，wasalmoststifledbytheodor。Butthatmadeherallthemoredeterminedtostaythere。Florenceurgedhertocomeaway，oratleastmovebackoutoftheworstofit。StillwellsecondedFlorence。

Madeline，however，smilinglyrefused。Thenherbrothersaid：

"Here，thisismakingyousick。You\'repale。"Andsherepliedthatsheintendedtostayuntiltheday\'sworkended。Algaveherastrangelook，andmadenomorecomment。ThekindlyStillwellthenbegantotalk。

"MissMajesty，you\'reseein\'thelifeofthecattlemanan，cowboy——therealthing——sameasitwasintheearlydays。TheranchersinTexasan\'someinArizonahevtookonstyle，new-fangledideesthetaregood，an\'Iwishwecouldfollowthem。

Butwe\'vegottosticktotheold-fashioned，open-rangeround-tip。Itlookscrueltoyou，Icanseethet。Wal，mebbeso，mebbeso。ThemGreasersarecruel，thet\'scertain。Ferthetmatter，IneverseenaGreaserwhowasn\'tcruel。ButIreckonallthestrenuousworkyou\'veseento-dayain\'tanytougherthanmostanydayofacowboy\'slife。Longhoursonhossback，poorgrub，sleepin\'ontheground，lonesomewatches，dustan\'sunan，windan\'thirst，dayinan\'dayoutalltheyearround——thet\'swhatacowboyhas。

"LookatNelsthere。See，whatlittlehairbehasissnow-white。

He\'sredan\'thinan\'hard——burnedup。Younoticethethumpofhisshoulders。An\'hishands，whenhegetsclose——jesttakeapeepathishands。Nelscan\'tpickupapin。Hecan\'thardlybuttonhisshirtoruntieaknotinhisrope。Helookssixtyyears——anoldman。Wal，Nels\'ain\'tseenforty。He\'sayoungman，buthe\'sseenalifetimefereveryyear。MissMajesty，itwasArizonathetmadeNelswhatheis，theArizonadesertan\'theworkofacowman。He\'sseenridin\'atCanonDiabloan\'theVerdian\'TontoBasin。HeknowseverymileofAravaipaValleyan\'thePinalenocountry。He\'srangedfromTombstonetoDouglas。Hehedshotbadwhitemenan\'badGreasersbeforehewastwenty-one。

He\'sseensomelife，Nelshas。Mysixtyyearsain\'tnothin\'；myearlydaysintheStakedPlainsan\'ontheborderwithApachesain\'tnothin\'towhatNelshasseenan\'livedthrough。He\'sjustcometobepartofthedesert；youmightsayhe\'sstonean\'firean\'silencean\'cactusan\'force。He\'saman，MissMajesty，awonderfulman。Roughhe\'llseemtoyou。Wal，I\'llshowyoupiecesofquartzfromthemountainsbackofmyranchan\'they\'rethetroughthey\'dcutyourhands。Butthere\'spuregoldinthem。

An\'soitiswithNelsan\'manyofthesecowboys。

"An\'there\'sPrice——MontyPrice。MontystandsferMontana，wherehehailsfrom。Takeagoodlookathim，MissMajesty。He\'sbeenhurt，Ireckon。Thetaccountsferhimbein\'withouthossorrope；an\'thetlimp。Wal，he\'sbeenrippedalittle。It\'ssurerareanseldomthetacowboygetsfoulofoneofthemthousandsofsharphorns；butitdoeshappen。"

Madelinesawaveryshort，wizenedlittleman，ludicrouslybow-legged，withafacethecolorandhardnessofaburned-outcinder。Hewashobblingbytowardthewagon，andoneofhisshort，crookedlegsdragged。

"Notmuchtolookat，ishe？"wentonStillwell。"Wal；Iknowit\'snaturalthetwe\'reallbestpleasedbygoodlooksinanyone，evenaman。Ithedn\'toughttobethetway。MontyPricelookslikehell。Butappearancesaresuredeceivin\'。Montysawyearsofridin\'alongtheMissouribottoms，thebigprairies，wherethere\'shighgrassan\'sometimesfires。InMontanatheyhaveblizzardsthatfreezecattlestandin\'intheirtracks。An\'

hossesfreezetodeath。Theytellmethetadrivin\'sleetinthefacewiththemercuryfortybelowissomethin\'torideagainst。

Youcan\'tgetMontytosaymuchaboutcold。Allyouhevtodoistowatchhim，howhehuntsthesun。ItnevergetstoohotferMonty。Wal，Ireckonhewasalittlemoreprepossessin\'once。

ThestorythetcometousaboutMontyisthis：Hegotcaughtoutinaprairiefirean\'couldhevsavedhimselfeasy，buttherewasaloneranchrightinthelineoffire，an\'Montyknowedtherancherwasaway，an\'hiswifean\'babywashome。Heknowed，too，thewaythewindwas，thettheranch-housewouldburn。Itwasalongchancehewastakin\'。Buthewentover，putthewomanupbehindhim，wrappedthebabyan\'hishoss\'shaidinawetblanket，an\'rodeaway。Thetwassuresomeride，I\'veheerd。ButthefireketchedMontyatthelast。Thewomanfellan\'waslost，an\'thenhishoss。An\'Montyranan\'walkedan\'crawledthroughthefirewiththetbaby，an\'hesavedit。Montywasnevermuchgoodasacowboyafterthet。Hecouldn\'tholdnojobs。Wal，he\'llhaveonewithmeaslongasIhaveasteerleft。"

VIAGiftandAPurchaseForaweekthesceneoftheround-uplaywithinriding-distanceoftheranch-house，andMadelinepassedmostofthistimeinthesaddle，watchingthestrenuouslaborsofthevaquerosandcowboys。Sheoverestimatedherstrength，andmorethanoncehadtobeliftedfromherhorse。Stillwell\'spleasureinherattendancegaveplacetoconcern。Hetriedtopersuadehertostayawayfromtheround-up，andFlorencegrewevenmoresolicitous。

Madeline，however，wasnotmovedbytheirentreaties。Shegraspedonlydimlythetruthofwhatitwasshewaslearning——somethinginfinitelymorethantheroundingupofcattlebycowboys，andshewasloathtoloseanhourofheropportunity。

Herbrotherlookedoutforherasmuchashisdutiespermitted；

butforseveraldaysheneveroncementionedhergrowingfatigueandthestrainofexcitement，orsuggestedthatshehadbettergobacktothehousewithFlorence。Manytimesshefeltthedrawingpowerofhiskeenblueeyesonherface。Andatthesemomentsshesensedmorethanbrotherlyregard。Hewaswatchingher，studyingher，weighingher，andtheconvictionwasvaguelydisturbing。ItwasdisquietingforMadelinetothinkthatAlfredmighthaveguessedhertrouble。Fromtimetotimehebroughtcowboystoherandintroducedthem，andlaughedandjested，tryingtomaketheordeallessembarrassingforthesemensolittleusedtowomen。

Beforetheweekwasout，however，Alfredfoundoccasiontotellherthatitwouldbewiserforhertolettheround-upgoonwithoutgracingitfurtherwithherpresence。Hesaiditlaughingly；nevertheless，hewasserious。AndwhenMadelineturnedtohiminsurprisehesaid，bluntly：

"Idon\'tlikethewayDonCarlosfollowsyouaround。Bill\'safraidthatNelsorAmbroseoroneofthecowboyswilltakeafalloutoftheMexican。They\'reitchingforthechance。Ofcourse，dear，it\'sabsurdtoyou，butit\'strue。"

Absurditcertainlywas，yetitservedtoshowMadelinehowintenselyoccupiedshehadbeenwithherownfeelings，rousedbythetumultandtoiloftheround-up。SherecalledthatDonCarloshadbeenpresentedtoher，andthatshehadnotlikedhisdark，strikingfacewithitsbold，prominent，glitteringeyesandsinisterlines；andshehadnotlikedhissuave，sweet，insinuatingvoiceorhissubtlemanner，withitsslowbowsandgestures。Shehadthoughthelookedhandsomeanddashingonthemagnificentblackhorse。However，nowthatAlfred\'swordsmadeherthink，sherecalledthatwherevershehadbeeninthefieldthenoblehorse，withhissilver-mountedsaddleandhisdarkrider，hadbeenalwaysinhervicinity。

"DonCarloshasbeenafterFlorenceforalongtime，"saidAlfred。"He\'snotayoungmanbyanymeans。He\'sfifty，Billsays；butyoucanseldomtellaMexican\'sagefromhislooks。

DonCarlosiswelleducatedandamanweknowverylittleabout。

Mexicansofhisstampdon\'tregardwomenaswewhitemendo。

Now，mydear，beautifulsisterfromNewYork，Ihaven\'tmuchuseforDonCarlos；butIdon\'twantNelsorAmbrosetomakeawildthrowwitharopeandpulltheDonoffhishorse。Soyouhadbetterrideuptothehouseandstaythere。"

"Alfred，youarejoking，teasingme，"saidMadeline。"Indeednot，"repliedAlfred。"Howaboutit，Flo？"FlorencerepliedthatthecowboyswouldupontheslightestprovocationtreatDonCarloswithlessceremonyandgentlenessthanaropedsteer。OldBillStillwellcameuptobeimportunedbyAlfredregardingtheconductofcowboysonoccasion，andhenotonlycorroboratedtheassertion，butaddedemphasisandevidenceofhisown。

"An\'，MissMajesty，"heconcluded，"IreckonifGeneStewartwasridin\'ferme，thetgrinnin\'Greaserwouldhevhedabumpinthedustbeforenow。"

MadelinehadbeenwaveringbetweensobrietyandlaughteruntilStillwell\'smentionofhisidealofcowboychivalrydecidedinfavorofthelaughter。

"Iamnotconvinced，butIsurrender，"shesaid。"Youhaveonlysomeoccultmotivefordrivingmeaway。IamsurethathandsomeDonCarlosisbeingunjustlysuspected。ButasIhaveseenalittleofcowboys\'singularimaginationandgallantry，Iamratherinclinedtofeartheirpossibilities。Sogood-by。"

ThensherodewithFlorenceupthelong，grayslopetotheranch-house。Thatnightshesufferedfromexcessiveweariness，whichsheattributedmoretothestrangeworkingofhermindthantoridingandsittingherhorse。Morning，however，foundherinnodispositiontorest。Itwasnotactivitythatshecraved，orexcitement，orpleasure。Anunerringinstinct，risingdearfromthethrongingsensationsofthelastfewdays，toldherthatshehadmissedsomethinginlife。Itcouldnothavebeenlove，forshelovedbrother，sister，parents，friends；itcouldnothavebeenconsiderationforthepoor，theunfortunate，thehapless；

shehadexpressedhersympathyforthesebygivingfreely；itcouldnothavebeenpleasure，culture，travel，society，wealth，position，fame，forthesehadbeenhersallherlife。Whateverthissomethingwas，shehadbafflingintimationsofit，hopesthatfadedonthevergeofrealizations，hauntingpromisesthatwereunfulfilled。Whateveritwas，ithadremainedhiddenandunknownathome，andhereintheWestitbegantoallureanddrivehertodiscovery。Thereforeshecouldnotrest；shewantedtogoandsee；shewasnolongerchasingphantoms；itwasahuntfortreasurethatheldaloof，asintangibleasthesubstanceofdreams。

ThatmorningshespokeadesiretovisittheMexicanquarterslyingatthebaseofthefoothills。FlorenceprotestedthatthiswasnoplacetotakeMadeline。ButMadelineinsisted，anditrequiredonlyafewwordsandapersuadingsmiletowinFlorenceover。

Fromtheporchtheclusterofadobehousesaddedapicturesquetouchofcolorandcontrasttothewasteofgrayvalley。Nearathandtheyprovedtheenchantmentlentbydistance。Theywereold，crumbling，brokendown，squalid。Afewgoatsclimbedarounduponthem；afewmangydogsbarkedannouncementofvisitors；andthenatroopofhalf-naked，dirty，raggedchildrenranout。Theywereveryshy，andatfirstretreatedinaffright。Butkindwordsandsmilesgainedtheirconfidence，andthentheyfollowedinabody，gatheringaquotaofnewchildrenateachhouse。

MadelineatonceconceivedtheideaofdoingsomethingtobettertheconditionofthesepoorMexicans，andwiththisinmindshedecidedtohavealookindoors。Shefanciedshemighthavebeenanapparition，judgingfromtheeffectherpresencehaduponthefirstwomansheencountered。WhileFlorenceexercisedwhatlittleSpanishshehadcommandof，tryingtogetthewomentotalk，Madelinelookedaboutthemiserablelittlerooms。Andtheregrewuponherafeelingofsickness，whichincreasedasshepassedfromonehousetoanother。ShehadnotbelievedsuchsqualorcouldexistanywhereinAmerica。Thehutsreekedwithfilth；vermincrawledoverthedirtfloors。Therewasabsolutelynoevidenceofwater，andshebelievedwhatFlorencetoldher——

thatthesepeopleneverbathed。Therewaslittleevidenceoflabor。Idlemenandwomensmokingcigaretteslolledabout，somesilent，othersjabbering。TheydidnotresentthevisitoftheAmericanwomen，nordidtheyshowhospitality。Theyappearedstupid。Diseasewasrampantinthesehouses；whenthedoorswereshuttherewasnoventilation，andevenwiththedoorsopenMadelinefeltchokedandstifled。Apowerfulpenetratingodorpervadedtheroomsthatwerelessstiflingthanothers，andthisodorFlorenceexplainedcamefromaliquortheMexicansdistilledfromacactusplant。Heredrunkennesswasmanifest，aterribleinertdrunkennessthatmadeitsvictimsdeathlike。

Madelinecouldnotextendhervisittothelittlemission-house。

Shesawapadre，astarved，sad-facedmanwho，sheinstinctivelyfelt，wasgood。Shemanagedtomountherhorseandrideuptothehouse；but，oncethere，sheweakenedandFlorencehadalmosttocarryherin-doors。Shefoughtoffafaintness，onlytosuccumbtoitwhenaloneinherroom。Still，shedidnotentirelyloseconsciousness，andsoonrecoveredtotheextentthatshedidnotrequireassistance。

Uponthemorningaftertheendoftheround-up，whenshewentoutontheporch，herbrotherandStillwellappearedtobearguingabouttheidentityofahorse。

"Wal，Ireckonit\'smyoldroan，"saidStillwell，shadinghiseveswithhishand。

"Bill，ifthatisn\'tStewart\'shorsemyeyesaregoingbackonme，"repliedAl。"It\'snotthecolororshape——thedistanceistoofartojudgebythat。It\'sthemotion——theswing。"

"Al，mebbeyou\'reright。Buttheyain\'tnorideruponthethoss。Flo，fetchmyglass。"

Florencewentintothehouse，whileMadelinetriedtodiscovertheobjectofattention。Presentlyfarupthegrayhollowalongafoothillshesawdust，andthenthedark，movingfigureofahorse。ShewaswatchingwhenFlorencereturnedwiththeglass。

Billtookalonglook，adjustedtheglassescarefully，andtriedagain。

"Wal，Ihatetoadmitmyeyesaregettin\'pore。ButIguessI\'llhevto。Thet\'sGeneStewart\'shoss，saddled，an\'comin\'atafastclipwithoutarider。It\'samazin\'strange，an\'someinkeepin\'withotherthingsconcernin\'Gene。"

"Givemetheglass，"saidAl。"Yes，Iwasright。Bill，thehorseisnotfrightened。He\'scomingsteadily；he\'sgotsomethingonhismind。"

"Thet\'satrainedhoss，Al。HehasmoresensethansomemenI

know。Takealookwiththeglassesupthehollow。Seeanybody？"

"No。"

"Swingupoverthefoothills——wherethetrailleads。Higher——

alongthetridgewheretherocksbegin。Seeanybody？"

"ByJove！Bill——twohorses！ButIcan\'tmakeoutmuchfordust。

Theyareclimbingfast。Onehorsegoneamongtherocks。There——

theother\'sgone。Whatdoyoumakeofthat？"

"Wal，Ican\'tmakenomore\'nyou。ButI\'llbetweknowsomethin\'soon，ferGene\'shossiscomin\'fasterashenearstheranch。"

Thewidehollowslopingupintothefoothillslayopentounobstructedview，andlessthanhalfamiledistantMadelinesawtheriderlesshorsecomingalongthewhitetrailatarapidcanter。Shewatchedhim，recallingthecircumstancesunderwhichshehadfirstseenhim，andthenhiswildflightthroughthedimlylightedstreetsofElCajonoutintotheblacknight。Shethrilledagainandbelievedshewouldneverthinkofthatstarrynight\'sadventurewithoutathrill。Shewatchedthehorseandfeltmorethancuriosity。Ashrill，piercingwhistlepealedin。

"Wal，he\'sseenus，thet\'ssure，"saidBill。

Thehorsenearedthecorrals，disappearedintoalane，andthen，breakinghisgaitagain，thunderedintotheinclosureandpoundedtoahaltsometwentyyardsfromwhereStillwellwaitedforhim。

OnelookathimatcloserangeintheclearlightofdaywasenoughforMadelinetoawardhimablueribbonoverallhorses，evenherprize-winner，WhiteStockings。Thecowboy\'sgreatsteedwasnolithe，slender-bodiedmustang。Hewasacharger，almosttremendousofbuild，withablackcoatfaintlymottledingray，anditshonelikepolishedglassinthesun。Evidentlyhehadbeencarefullydresseddownforthisoccasion，fortherewasnodustonhim，norakinkinhisbeautifulmane，noramarkonhisglossyhide。

"Comehyar，youson-of-a-gun，"saidStillwell。

Thehorsedroppedhishead，snorted，andcameobedientlyup。Hewasneithershynorwild。HepokedafriendlynoseatStillwell，andthenlookedatAlandthewomen。Unhookingthestirrupsfromthepommel，Stillwellletthemfallandbegantosearchthesaddleforsomethingwhichheevidentlyexpectedtofind。

Presentlyfromsomewhereamongthetrappingsheproducedafoldedbitofpaper，andafterscrutinizingithandedittoAl。

"Addressedtoyou；an\'I\'llbetyoutwobitsIknowwhat\'sinit，"hesaid。

Alfredunfoldedtheletter，readit，andthenlookedatStillwell。

"Bill，you\'reaprettygoodguesser。Gene\'smadefortheborder。

Hesentthehorsebysomebody，nonamesmentioned，andwantsmysistertohavehimifshewillaccept。"

"AnymentionofDannyMains？"askedtherancher。

"Notaword。"

"Thet\'sbad。Gene\'dknowaboutDannyifanybodydid。Buthe\'saclose-mouthedcuss。Sohe\'ssurehittin\'forMexico。WonderifDanny\'sgoin\'，too？Wal，there\'stwoofthebestcowmenIeverseengonetohellan\'I\'msorry。"

Withthathebowedhisheadand，grumblingtohimself，wentintothehouse。Alfredliftedthereinsovertheheadofthehorseand，leadinghimtoMadeline，slippedtheknotoverherarmandplacedtheletterinherhand。

"Majesty，I\'dacceptthehorse，"hesaid。"Stewartisonlyacowboynow，andastoughasanyI\'veknown。Buthecomesofagoodfamily。Hewasacollegemanandagentlemanonce。Hewenttothebadouthere，likesomanyfellowsgo，likeInearlydid。

Thenhehadtoldmeabouthissisterandmother。Hecaredagooddealforthem。Ithinkhehasbeenasourceofunhappinesstothem。Itwasmostlywhenhewasremindedofthisinsomewaythathe\'dgetdrunk。Ihavealwaysstucktohim，andIwoulddosoyetifIhadthechance。YoucanseeBillisheartbrokenaboutDannyMainsandStewart。Ithinkheratherhopedtogetgoodnews。There\'snotmuchchanceofthemcomingbacknow，atleastnotinthecaseofStewart。Thisgivinguphishorsemeanshe\'sgoingtojointherebelforcesacrosstheborder。Whatwouldn\'tIgivetoseethatcowboybreaklooseonabunchofGreasers！

Oh，damntheluck！Ibegyourpardon，Majesty。ButI\'mupset，too。I\'msorryaboutStewart。Ilikedhimprettywellbeforehethrashedthatcoyoteofasheriff，PatHawe，andafterwardI

guessIlikedhimmore。Youreadtheletter，sister，andacceptthehorse。"

InsilenceMadelinebenthergazefromherbrother\'sfacetotheletter：

FriendAl，——I\'msendingmyhorsedowntoyoubecauseI\'mgoingawayandhaven\'tthenervetotakehimwherehe\'dgethurtorfallintostrangehands。

Ifyouthinkit\'sallright，why，givehimtoyoursisterwithmyrespects。Butifyoudon\'tliketheidea，Al，orifshewon\'thavehim，thenhe\'sforyou。I\'mnotforgettingyourkindnesstome，evenifInevershowedit。And，Al，myhorsehasneverfeltaquirtoraspur，andI\'dliketothinkyou\'dneverhurthim。I\'mhopingyoursisterwilltakehim。She\'llbegoodtohim，andshecanaffordtotakecareofhim。And，whileI\'mwaitingtobepluggedbyaGreaserbullet，ifIhappentohaveapictureinmindofhowshe\'lllookuponmyhorse，why，man，it\'snotgoingtomakeanydifferencetoyou。Sheneedn\'teverknowit。

Betweenyouandme，Al，don\'tletherorFloridealoneoverDonCarlos\'sway。IfIhadtimeIcouldtellyousomethingaboutthatslickGreaser。Andtellyoursister，ifthere\'severanyreasonforhertorunawayfromanybodywhenshe\'suponthatroan，justletherleanoverandyellinhisear。She\'llfindherselfridingthewind。Solong。

GeneStewart。

Madelinethoughtfullyfoldedtheletterandmurmured，"Howhemustlovehishorse！"

"Well，Ishouldsayso，"repliedAlfred。"Flowilltellyou。

She\'stheonlypersonGeneeverletridethathorse，unless，asBillthinks，thelittleMexicangirl，Bonita，rodehimoutofElCajontheothernight。Well，sistermine，howaboutit——willyouacceptthehorse？"

"Assuredly。AndveryhappyindeedamItogethim。Al，yousaid，Ithink，thatMr。Stewartnamedhimafterme——sawmynicknameintheNewYorkpaper？"

"Yes。"

"Well，Iwillnotchangehisname。But，Al，howshallIeverclimbuponhim？He\'stallerthanIam。Whatagiantofahorse！Oh，lookathim——he\'snosingmyhand。IreallybelieveheunderstoodwhatIsaid。Al，didyoueverseesuchasplendidheadandsuchbeautifuleyes？Theyaresolargeanddarkandsoft——andhuman。Oh，Iamaficklewoman，forIamforgettingWhiteStockings。"

"I\'llgamblehe\'llmakeyouforgetanyotherhorse，"saidAlfred。

"You\'llhavetogetonhimfromtheporch。"

AsMadelinewasnotdressedforthesaddle，shedidnotattempttomount。

"Come，Majesty——howstrangethatsounds！——wemustgetacquainted。

Youhavenowanewowner，averysevereyoungwomanwhowilldemandloyaltyfromyouandobedience，andsomeday，afteradecentperiod，shewillexpectlove。"

Madelineledthehorsetoandfro，andwasdelightedwithhisgentleness。Shediscoveredthathedidnotneedtobeled。Hecameathercall，followedherlikeapetdog，rubbedhisblackmuzzleagainsther。Sometimes，attheturnsintheirwalk，heliftedhisheadandwithearsforwardlookedupthetrailbywhichhehadcome，andbeyondthefoothills。Hewaslookingovertherange。Someonewascallingtohim，perhaps，frombeyondthemountains。Madelinelikedhimthebetterforthatmemory，andpitiedthewaywardcowboywhohadpartedwithhisonlypossessionforveryloveofit。

ThatafternoonwhenAlfredliftedMadelinetothebackofthebigroanshefelthighintheair。

"We\'llhavearunouttothemesa，"saidherbrother，ashemounted。"Keepatightreinonhimandeaseupwhenyouwanthimtogofaster。Butdon\'tyellinhisearunlessyouwantFlorenceandmetoseeyoudisappearonthehorizon。"

Hetrottedoutoftheyard，downbythecorrals，tocomeoutontheedgeofagray，openflatthatstretchedseveralmilestotheslopeofamesa。Florenceled，andMadelinesawthatsherodelikeacowboy。Alfreddrewontoherside，leavingMadelineintherear。Thentheleadinghorsesbrokeintoagallop。Theywantedtorun，andMadelinefeltwithathrillthatshewouldhardlybeabletokeepMajestyfromrunning，evenifshewantedto。Hesawedonthetightbridleastheothersdrewawayandbrokefrompacetogallop。ThenFlorenceputherhorseintoarun。AlfredturnedandcalledtoMadelinetocomealong。

"Thiswillneverdo。Theyarerunningawayfromus，"saidMadeline，andsheeasedupherholdonthebridle。Somethinghappenedbeneathherjustthen；shedidnotknowatfirstexactlywhat。Asmuchasshehadbeenonhorsebackshehadneverriddenatarunninggait。InNewYorkitwasnotdecorousorsafe。SowhenMajestyloweredandstretchedandchangedthestiff，joltinggallopforawonderful，smooth，glidingrunitrequiredMadelinesomemomentstorealizewhatwashappening。Itdidnottakelongforhertoseethedistancediminishingbetweenherandhercompanions。Stilltheyhadgottenagoodlystartandwerefaradvanced。Shefeltthesteady，evenrushofthewind。Itamazedhertofindhoweasily，comfortablyshekepttothesaddle。Theexperiencewasnew。Theonefaultshehadheretoforefoundwithridingwastheviolentshaking-up。Inthisinstancesheexperiencednothingofthatkind，nostrain，nonecessitytoholdonwithadesperateawarenessofwork。Shehadneverfeltthewindinherface，thewhipofahorse\'smane，thebuoyant，levelspringofatanninggait。Itthrilledher，exhilaratedher，firedherblood。Suddenlyshefoundherselfalive，throbbing；

and，inspiredbysheknewnotwhat，sheloosenedthebridleand，leaningfarforward，shecried，"Oh，yousplendidfellow，run！"

Sheheardfromunderherasuddenquickclatteringroarofhoofs，andsheswayedbackwiththewonderfullyswiftincreaseinMajesty\'sspeed。Thewindstungherface，howledinherears，toreatherhair。Thegrayplainsweptbyoneachside，andinfrontseemedtobewavingtowardher。InherblurredsightFlorenceandAlfredappearedtobecomingback。Butshesawpresently，uponnearerview，thatMajestywasoverhaulingtheotherhorses，wasgoingtopassthem。Indeed，hedidpassthem，shootingbysoasalmosttomakethemappearstandingstill。Andberanon，notbreakinghisgaittillhereachedthesteepsideofthemesa，wherehesloweddownandstopped。

"Glorious！"exclaimedMadeline。Shewasallinablaze，andeverymuscleandnerveofherbodytingledandquivered。Herhands，assheendeavoredtoputuptheloosenedstrandsofhair，trembledandfailedoftheiraccustomeddexterity。Thenshefacedaboutandwaitedforhercompanions。

Alfredreachedherfirst，laughing，delighted，yetalsoalittleanxious。

"Holysmoke！Butcan\'therun？Didheboltonyou？"

"No，Icalledinhisear，"repliedMadeline。

"Sothatwasit。That\'sthewomanofyou，andforbiddenfruit。

Flosaidshe\'ddoittheminuteshewasonhim。Majesty，youcanride。SeeifFlodoesn\'tsayso。"

TheWesterngirlcameupthenwithherpleasurebrightinherface。

"Itwasjustgreattoseeyou。Howyourhairburnedinthewind！

Al，shesurecanride。Oh，I\'msoglad！Iwasalittleafraid。

Andthathorse！Isn\'thegrand？Can\'therun？"

Alfredledthewayupthesteep，zigzagtrailtothetopofthemesa。Madelinesawabeautifulflatsurfaceofshortgrass，levelasafloor。Sheutteredalittlecryofwonderandenthusiasm。

"Al，whataplaceforgolf！Thiswouldbethefinestlinksintheworld。"

Well，I\'vethoughtofthatmyself，"hereplied。"Theonlytroublewouldbe——couldanybodystoplookingatthescenerylongenoughtohitaball？Majesty，look！"

AndthenitseemedthatMadelinewasconfrontedbyaspectacletoosublimeandterribleforhergaze。Theimmensityofthisred-ridged，deep-gulfedworlddescendingincalculabledistancesrefusedtobegrasped，andawedher，shockedher。

"Once，Majesty，whenIfirstcameoutWest，Iwasdownandout——

determinedtoenditall，"saidAlfred。"Andhappenedtoclimbupherelookingforalonelyplacetodie。WhenIsawthatI

changedmymind。"

Madelinewassilent。Sheremainedsoduringtheridearoundtherimofthemesaanddownthesteeptrail。ThistimeAlfredandFlorencefailedtotemptherintoarace。Shehadbeenawe-struck；shehadbeenexaltedshehadbeenconfounded；andsherecoveredslowlywithoutdiviningexactlywhathadcometoher。

Shereachedtheranch-housefarbehindhercompanions，andatsupper-timewasunusuallythoughtful。Later，whentheyassembledontheporchtowatchthesunset，Stillwell\'shumorouscomplainingsinspiredtheinceptionofanideawhichflashedupinhermindswiftaslightning。Andthenbylisteningsympatheticallysheencouragedhimtorecitethetroublesofapoorcattleman。Theyweremanyandlongandinteresting，andrathernumbingtothelifeofherinspiredidea。

Mr。Stillwell，couldranchinghereonalargescale，withup-to-datemethods，bemade——well，notprofitable，exactly，buttopay——torunwithoutloss？"sheasked，determinedtokillhernew-bornideaatbirthorelsegiveitbreathandhopeoflife。

"Wal，Ireckonitcould，"hereplied，withashortlaugh。"It\'dsurebeamoney-maker。Why，withallmybadluckan\'poorequipmentI\'velivedprettywellan\'paidmydebtsan\'haven\'treallylostanymoneyexcepttheoriginaloutlay。Ireckonthet\'ssunkfergood。"

"Wouldyousell——ifsomeonewouldpayyourprice？"

"MissMajesty，I\'djumpatthechance。YetsomehowI\'dhatetoleavehyar。I\'djestbefoolenoughtogosinkthemoneyinanotherranch。"

"WouldDonCarlosandtheseotherMexicanssell？"

"Theysurewould。TheDonhasbeenaftermeferyears，wantin\'

tosellthetoldranchoofhis；an\'theseherdersinthevalleywiththeirstraycattle，they\'dfalldaidatsightofalittlemoney。"

"Pleasetellme，Mr。Stillwell，exactlywhatyouwoulddohereifyouhadunlimitedmeans？"wentonMadeline。

"GoodLud！"ejaculatedtherancher，andstartedsohedroppedhispipe。Thenwithhisclumsyhugefingersherefilledit，relightedit，tookafewlongpulls，puffedgreatcloudsofsmoke，and，squaringround，handsonhisknees，helookedatMadelinewithpiercingintentness。Hishardfacebegantorelaxandsoftenandwrinkleintoasmile。

"Wal，MissMajesty，itjestmakesmyoldheartwarmuptothinkofsichathing。IdreamedalotwhenIfirstcomehyar。WhatwouldIdoifIhedunlimitedmoney？Listen。I\'dbuyoutDonCarlosan\'theGreasers。I\'dgiveajobtoeverygoodcowmaninthiscountry。I\'dmakethemprosperasIprosperedmyself。I\'dbuyallthegoodhorsesontheranges。I\'dfencetwentythousandacresofthebestgrazin\'。I\'ddrillferwaterinthevalley。

I\'dpipewaterdownfromthemountains。I\'ddamupthatdrawoutthere。Amile-longdamfromhilltohillwouldgivemeabiglake，an\'hevin\'aneyeferbeauty，I\'dplantcottonwoodsaroundit。I\'dfillthatlakefulloffish。I\'dputinthebiggestfieldofalfalfaintheSouth-west。I\'dplantfruit-treesan\'

garden。I\'dteardownthemoldcorralsan\'barnsan\'bunk-housestobuildnewones。I\'dmakethisoldranchosomecomfortablean\'

fine。I\'dputingrassan\'flowersallaroundan\'bringyoungpine-treesdownfromthemountains。An\'whenallthetwasdoneI\'dsitinmychairan\'smokean\'watchthecattlestringin\'inferwateran\'stragglin\'backintothevalley。An\'Iseethecowboysridin\'easyan\'heahthemsingin\'intheirbunks。An\'

thetredsunouttherewouldn\'tsetonahappiermanintheworldthanBillStillwell，lastoftheoldcattlemen。"

Madelinethankedtherancher，andthenratherabruptlyretiredtoherroom，whereshefeltnorestrainttohidetheforceofthatwonderfulidea，nowfull-grownandtenaciousandalluring。

Uponthenextday，lateintheafternoon，sheaskedAlfredifitwouldbesafeforhertorideouttothemesa。

"I\'llgowithyou，"hesaid，gaily。

"Dearfellow，Iwanttogoalone，"shereplied。

"Ah！"Alfredexclaimed，suddenlyserious。Hegaveherjustaquickglance，thenturnedaway。"Goahead。Ithinkit\'ssafe。

I\'llmakeitsafebysittingherewithmyglassandkeepinganeyeonyou。Becarefulcomingdownthetrail。Letthehorsepickhisway。That\'sall。"

SherodeMajestyacrossthewideflat，upthezigzagtrail，acrossthebeautifulgrassyleveltothefarrimofthemesa，andnottillthendidshelifthereyestofacethesouthwest。

MadelinelookedfromthegrayvalleyatherfeettotheblueSierraMadres，gold-tippedinthesettingsun。Hervisionembracedinthatglancedistanceanddepthandgloryhithertounrevealedtoher。ThegrayvalleyslopedandwidenedtotheblacksentinelChiricahuas，andbeyondwaslostinavastcorrugatedsweepofearth，reddeningdowntothewest，whereagoldenblazeliftedthedark，ruggedmountainsintoboldrelief。

Thescenehadinfinitebeauty。ButafterMadeline\'sfirstswift，all-embracingflashofenrapturedeyes，thoughtofbeautypassedaway。Inthatdarkeningdeserttherewassomethingillimitable。

Madelinesawthehollowofastupendoushand；shefeltamightyholduponherheart。Outoftheendlessspace，outofsilenceanddesolationandmysteryandage，cameslow-changingcoloredshadows，phantomsofpeace，andtheywhisperedtoMadeline。Theywhisperedthatitwasagreat，grim，immutableearth；thattimewaseternity；thatlifewasfleeting。Theywhisperedforhertobeawoman；tolovesomeonebeforeitwastoolate；toloveanyone，everyone；torealizetheneedofwork，andindoingittofindhappiness。

Sherodebackacrossthemesaanddownthetrail，and，oncemoreupontheflat，shecalledtothehorseandmadehimrun。Hisspiritseemedtoracewithhers。Thewindofhisspeedblewherhairfromitsfastenings。WhenhethunderedtoahaltattheporchstepsMadeline，breathlessanddisheveled，alightedwiththemassofherhairtumblingaroundher。

Alfredmether，andhisexclamation，andFlorence\'srapteyesshiningonherface，andStillwell\'sspeechlessnessmadeherself-conscious。Laughing，shetriedtoputupthemassofhair。

"Imust——looka——fright，"shepanted。

"Wal，youcansaywhatyoulike，"repliedtheoldcattleman，"butIknowwhatIthink。"

Madelinestrovetoattaincalmness。

"Myhat——andmycombs——wentonthewind。Ithoughtmyhairwouldgo，too……Thereistheeveningstar……IthinkIamveryhungry。"

Andthenshegaveuptryingtobecalm，andlikewisetofastenupherhair，whichfellagaininagoldenmass。

"Mr。Stillwell，"shebegan，andpaused，strangelyawareofahurriednote，adeeperringinhervoice。"Mr。Stillwell，Iwanttobuyyourranch——toengageyouasmysuperintendent。IwanttobuyDonCarlos\'sranchandotherpropertytotheextent，say，offiftythousandacres。Iwantyoutobuyhorsesandcattle——inshort，tomakeallthoseimprovementswhichyousaidyouhadsolongdreamedof。ThenIhaveideasofmyown，inthedevelopmentofwhichImusthaveyouradviceandAlfred\'s。IintendtobettertheconditionofthosepoorMexicansinthevalley。I

intendtomakelifealittlemoreworthlivingforthemandforthecowboysofthisrange。To-morrowweshalltalkitallover，planallthebusinessdetails。"

Madelineturnedfromthehuge，ever-wideningsmilethatbeameddownuponherandheldoutherhandstoherbrother。

"Alfred，strange，isitnot，mycomingouttoyou？Nay，don\'tsmile。IhopeIhavefoundmyself——mywork——myhappiness——hereunderthelightofthatwesternstar。"

VIIHerMajesty\'sRanchoFIVEmonthsbroughtallthatStillwellhaddreamedof，andsomanymorechangesandimprovementsandinnovationsthatitwasasifamagictouchhadtransformedtheoldranch。MadelineandAlfredandFlorencehadtalkedoverafittingname，andhaddecidedononechosenbyMadeline。ButthisinstancewastheonlyoneinthecourseofdevelopmentsinwhichMadeline\'swisheswerenotcompiledwith。Thecowboysnamedthenewranch"HerMajesty\'sRancho。"Stillwellsaidthenamescowboysbestowedwerefelicitous，andasunchangeableastheeverlastinghills；

Florencewentovertotheenemy；andAlfred，laughingatMadeline\'sprotest，declaredthecowboyshadelectedherqueenoftheranges，andthattherewasnohelpforit。Sothenamestood"HerMajesty\'sRancho。"

TheAprilsunshonedownuponaslow-risinggreenknollthatnestledintheleeofthefoothills，andseemedtocenterbrightraysuponthelongranch-house，whichgleamedsnow-whitefromthelevelsummit。ThegroundsaroundthehouseborenosemblancetoEasternlawnsorparks；therehadbeennolandscape-gardening；

Stillwellhadjustbroughtwaterandgrassandflowersandplantstotheknoll-top，andtherehadleftthem，asitwere，tofollownature。Hisideamayhavebeencrude，buttheresultwasbeautiful。Underthathotsunandbalmyair，withcoolwaterdailysoakingintotherichsoil，agreencoveringsprangintolife，andeverywhereuponit，asifbymagic，manycoloredflowersroseinthesweetair。Palewildflowers，lavenderdaisies，fragilebluebells，whitefour-petaledlilieslikeEasternmayflowers，andgoldenpoppies，deepsunsetgold，coloroftheWest，bloomedinhappyconfusion。Californiaroses，crimsonasblood，noddedheavyheadsandtrembledwiththeweightofbees。Lowdowninbareplaces，isolated，opentothefullpowerofthesun，blazedthevermilionandmagentablossomsofcactusplants。

Greenslopesledallthewaydowntowherenewadobebarnsandshedshadbeenerected，andwidecorralsstretchedhigh-barredfencesdowntothegreatsquaresofalfalfagentlyincliningtothegrayofthevalley。Thebottomofadammed-uphollowshonebrightlywithitsslowlyincreasingacreageofwater，uponwhichthousandsofmigratorywildfowlwhirredandsplashedandsquawked，asifreluctanttoleavethiscool，wetsurprisesonewinthelongdesertjourneytothenorthland。Quartersforthecowboys——comfortable，roomyadobehousesthatnoteventhelamestcowboydareddescribeascrampybunks——stoodinarowuponalongbenchofgroundabovethelake。AnddowntotheedgeofthevalleytheclusterofMexicanhabitationsandthelittlechurchshowedthetouchofthesamerenewinghand。

AllthathadbeenleftoftheoldSpanishhousewhichhadbeenStillwell\'shomeforsolongwasthebare，massivestructure，andsomeofthishadbeencutawayfornewdoorsandwindows。Everymodernconvenience，eventohotandcoldrunningwaterandacetylenelight，hadbeeninstalled；andthewholeinteriorpaintedandcarpenteredandfurrished。Theidealsoughthadnotbeenluxury，butcomfort。Everydoorintothepatiolookedoutupondark，richgrassandsweet-facedflowers，andeverywindowlookeddownthegreenslopes。

Madeline\'sroomsoccupiedthewestendofthebuildingandcomprisedfourinnumber，allopeningoutuponthelongporch。

Therewasasmallroomforhermaid，anotherwhichsheusedasanoffice，thenhersleeping-apartment；and，lastly，thegreatlightchamberwhichshehadlikedsowelluponfirstsight，andwhichnow，simplyyetbeautifullyfurnishedandcontainingherfavoritebooksandpictures，shehadcometoloveasshehadneverlovedanyroomathome。Inthemorningthefragrant，balmyairblewthewhitecurtainsoftheopenwindows；atnoonthedrowsy，sultryquietseemedtocreepinforthesiestathatwascharacteristicofthecountry；intheafternoonthewesteringsunpeepedundertheporchroofandpaintedthewallswithgoldbarsthatslowlychangedtored。

MadelineHammondcherishedafancythatthetransformationshehadwroughtintheoldSpanishhouseandinthepeoplewithwhomshehadsurroundedherself，greatasthattransformationhadbeen，wasasnothingcomparedtotheonewroughtinherself。Shehadfoundanobjectinlife。Shewasbusy，sheworkedwithherhandsaswellasmind，yetsheseemedtohavemoretimetoreadandthinkandstudyandidleanddreamthaneverbefore。Shehadseenherbrotherthroughhisdifficulties，ontheroadtoallthesuccessandprosperitythathecaredfor。MadelinehadbeenaconscientiousstudentofranchingandanaptpupilofStillwell。

Theoldcattleman，inhissimplicity，gavehertheplaceinhisheartthatwasmeantforthedaughterhehadneverhad。Hisprideinher，Madelinethought，wasbeyondreasonorbelieforwordstotell。Underhisguidance，sometimesaccompaniedbyAlfredandFlorence，Madelinehadriddentherangesandhadstudiedthelifeandworkofthecowboys。Shehadcampedontheopenrange，sleptundertheblinkingstars，riddenfortymilesadayinthefaceofdustandwind。Shehadtakentwowonderfultripsdownintothedesert——onetriptoChiricahua，andfromthereacrossthewasteofsandandrockandalkaliandcactustotheMexicanborderline；andtheotherthroughtheAravaipaValley，withitsdeep，red-walledcanonsandwildfastnesses。

Thisbreaking-in，thistrainingintoWesternways，thoughshehadbeenaso-calledoutdoorgirl，hadrequiredgreateffortandseverepain；buttheeducation，nowpastitsgrades，hadbecomealaboroflove。Shehadperfecthealth，aboundingspirits。Shewassoactivehatshehadtotrainherselfintotakingthemiddaysiesta，acustomofthecountryandimperativeduringthehotsummermonths。Sometimesshelookedinhermirrorandlaughedwithsheerjoyatsightofthelithe，audacious，brown-faced，flashing-eyedcreaturereflectedthere。Itwasnotsomuchjoyinherbeautyassheerjoyoflife。Easterncriticshadbeenwonttocallherbeautifulinthosedayswhenshehadbeenpaleandslenderandproudandcold。Shelaughed。Iftheycouldonlyseehernow！Fromthetipofhergoldenheadtoherfeethewasalive，pulsating，onfire。

Sometimesshethoughtofherparents，sister，friends，ofhowtheyhadpersistentlyrefusedtobelieveshecouldorwouldstayintheWest。Theywerealwaysaskinghertocomehome。Andwhenshewrote，whichwasdutifullyoften，thelastthingunderthesunthatshewaslikelytomentionwasthechangeinher。Shewrotethatshewouldreturntoheroldhomesometime，ofcourse，foravisit；andletterssuchasthisbroughtreturnsthatamusedMadeline，sometimessaddenedher。ShemeanttogobackEastforawhile，andafterthatonceortwiceeveryyear。Buttheinitiativewasadifficultstepfromwhichsheshrank。Oncehome，shewouldhavetomakeexplanations，andthesewouldnotbeunderstood。Herfather\'sbusinesshadbeensuchthathecouldnotleaveitforthetimerequiredforaWesterntrip，orelse，accordingtohisletter，hewouldhavecomeforher。Mrs。

HammondcouldnothavebeendriventocrosstheHudsonRiver；herun-AmericanideaofthewildernesswestwardwasthatIndiansstillchasedbuffaloontheoutskirtsofChicago。Madeline\'ssisterHelenhadlongbeeneagertocome，asmuchfromcuriosity，Madelinethought，asfromsisterlyregard。AndatlengthMadelineconcludedthattheproofofherbreakingpermanenttiesmightbetterbeseenbyvisitingrelativesandfriendsbeforeshewentbackEast。WiththatinmindsheinvitedHelentovisitherduringthesummer，andbringasmanyfriendsassheliked。

NoslighttaskindeedwasittooverseethemanybusinessdetailsofHerMajesty\'sRanchoandtokeeparecordofthem。Madelinefoundthecourseofbusinesstraininguponwhichherfatherhadinsistedtobeinvaluabletohernow。Ithelpedhertoassimilateandarrangethepracticaldetailsofcattle-raisingasputforthbythebluntStillwell。Shesplitupthegreatstockofcattleintodifferentherds，andwhenanyofthesewereoutrunningupontheopenrangeshehadthemcloselywatched。Partofthetimeeachherdwaskeptinaninclosedrange，fedandwatered，andcarefullyhandledbyabigforceofcowboys。Sheemployedthreecowboyscoutswhosesoledutywastoridetherangessearchingforstray，sick，orcrippledcattleormotherlesscalves，andtobringtheseintobetreatedandnursed。ThereweretwocowboyswhosebusinesswastomasterapackofRussianstag-houndsandtohuntdownthecoyotes，wolves，andlionsthatpreyedupontheherds。Thebetterandtamermilchcowswereseparatedfromtherangingherdsandkeptinapastureadjoiningthedairy。Allbrandingwasdoneincorrals，andcalveswereweanedfrommother-cowsatthepropertimetobenefitboth。Theoldmethodofbrandingandclassing，thathadsoshockedMadeline，hadbeenabandoned，andonehadbeeninauguratedwherebycattleandcowboysandhorsesweresparedbrutalityandinjury。

Madelineestablishedanextensivevegetablefarm，andsheplantedorchards。TheclimatewassuperiortothatofCalifornia，and，withabundantwater，treesandplantsandgardensflourishedandbloomedinawaywonderfultobehold。Itwaswithever-increasingpleasurethatMadelinewalkedthroughacresofgroundoncebare，nowgreenandbrightandfragrant。Therewerepoultry-yardsandpig-pensandmarshyquartersforducksandgeese。HereinthefarmingsectionoftheranchMadelinefoundemploymentforthelittlecolonyofMexicans。Theirliveshadbeenashardandbarrenasthedryvalleywheretheyhadlived。Butasthevalleyhadbeentransformedbythesoft，richtouchofwater，sotheirliveshadbeentransformedbyhelpandsympathyandwork。Thechildrenwerewretchednomore，andmanythathadbeenblindcouldnowsee，andMadelinehadbecometothemanewandblessedvirgin。

Madelinelookedabroadovertheselandsandlikenedthechangeinthemandthosewholivedbythemtothechangeinherheart。Itmayhavebeenfancy，butthesunseemedtobebrighter，theskybluer，thewindsweeter。Certainitwasthatthedeepgreenofgrassandgardenwasnotfancy，northewhiteandpinkofblossom，northeblazeandperfumeofflower，northesheenoflakeandtheflutteringofnew-bornleaves。Wheretherehadbeenmonotonousgraytherewasnowvividandchangingcolor。Formerlytherehadbeensilencebothdayandnight；nowduringthesunnyhourstherewasmusic。Thewhistleofprancingstallionspealedinfromthegrassyridges。Innumerablebirdshadcomeand，likethenorthward-journeyingducks，theyhadtarriedtostay。Thesongofmeadow-larkandblackbirdandrobin，familiartoMadelinefromchildhood，mingledwiththenewandstrangeheart-throbbingsongofmocking-birdandthepiercingblastofthedeserteagleandthemelancholymoanofturtle-dove。

OneAprilmorningMadelinesatinherofficewrestlingwithaproblem。Shehadproblemstosolveeveryday。Themajorityofthesewereconcernedwiththemanagementoftwenty-sevenincomprehensiblecowboys。ThisparticularprobleminvolvedAmbroseMills，whohadelopedwithherFrenchmaid，Christine。

StillwellfacedMadelinewithasmilealmostashugeashisbulk。

"Wal，MissMajesty，weketchedthem；butnotbeforePadreMarcoshadmarriedthem。Allthetspeedin\'intheautoomoobilewasjesta-scarin\'ofmetodeathfernothin\'。ItellyouLinkStevensiscrazyaboutrunnin\'thetcar。Linkneverhednosenseevenwithahoss。Heain\'tafraidofthedevilhisself。Ifmyhairhedn\'tbeenwhiteit\'dbewhitenow。Nomoreridesinthetthingferme！Wal，weketchedAmbrosean\'thegirltoolate。Butwefetchedthemback，an\'they\'reouttherenow，spoonin\'，sureoblivioustotheirshamelessconduct。"

"Stillwell，whatshallIsaytoAmbrose？HowshallIpunishhim？

Hehasdonewrongtodeceiveme。Ineverwassosurprisedinmylife。ChristinedidnotseemtocareanymoreforAmbrosethanforanyoftheothercowboys。Whatdoesmyauthorityamountto？

Imustdosomething。Stillwell，youmusthelpme。"

WheneverMadelinefellintoaquandaryshehadtocallupontheoldcattleman。NomaneverheldapositionwithgreaterpridethanStillwell，buthehadbeenputtoteststhatsteepedhiminhumility。Herehescratchedhisheadingreatperplexity。

"Dog-gonetheluck！What\'sthiselopin\'biznesstodowithcattle-raisin\'？Idon\'tknownothin\'butcattle。MissMajesty，it\'samazin\'strangewhatthesecowboyshevcometo。Ineverseennocowboyslikethesewe\'vegothyarnow。Idon\'tknowthemanymore。Theydressswellan\'readbooks，an\'someofthemhevactoolystoppedcussin\'an\'drinkin\'。Iain\'tsayin\'allthisisagainstthem。Why，now，they\'rejestthefinestbunchofcow-punchersIeverseenordreamedof。Butmanagin\'themnowisbeyondme。Whencowboysbegintoplaythetgamegol-lofan\'runoffwithFrenchmaidsIreckonBillStillwellhasgottoresign。"

"Stillwell！Oh，youwillnotleaveme？WhatintheworldwouldIdo？"exclaimedMadeline，ingreatanxiety。

"Wal，Isurewon\'tleaveyou，MissMajesty。No，Inever\'lldothet。I\'llrunthecattlebiznessferyouan\'seeafterthehossesan\'otherstock。ButI\'vegottohevaforemanwhocanhandlethisamazin\'strangebunchofcowboys。"

"You\'vetriedhalfadozenforemen。Trymoreuntilyoufindthemanwhomeetsyourrequirements，"saidMadeline。"Nevermindthatnow。TellmehowtoimpressAmbrose——tomakehimanexample，sotospeak。Imusthaveanothermaid。AndIdonotwantanewonecarriedoffinthissummarymanner。"

"Wal，ifyoufetchprettymaidsouthyaryoucan\'texpectnothin\'

else。Why，thetblack-eyedlittleFrenchgirl，withherwhiteskinan\'prettyairsan\'smilesan\'shrugs，shehadthecowboyscrazy。It\'llbewusswiththenextone。"

"Ohdear！"sighedMadeline。

"An\'asferimpressin\'Ambrose，IreckonIcantellyouhowtodothet。Jestgiveittohimgoodan\'sayyou\'regoin\'tofirehim。

That\'llfixAmbrose，an\'mebbescaretheotherboysferaspell。"

"Verywell，Stillwell，bringAmbroseintoseeme，andtellChristinetowaitinmyroom。"

"Itwasahandsomedebonair，bright-eyedcowboythatcametrampingintoMadeline\'spresence。Hisaccustomedshynessandawkwardnesshaddisappearedinanexcitedmanner。Hewasahappyboy。HelookedstraightintoMadeline\'sfaceasifheexpectedhertowishhimjoy。AndMadelineactuallyfoundthatexpressiontremblingtoherlips。Shehelditbackuntilshecouldbesevere。ButMadelinefearedshewouldfailofmuchseverity。

Somethingwarmandsweet，likeafragrance，hadenteredtheroomwithAmbrose。

"Ambrose，whathaveyoudone？"sheasked。"MissHammond，I\'vebeenandgoneandgotmarried，"repliedAmbrose，hiswordstumblingoveroneanother。Hiseyessnapped，andtherewasakindofglowuponhisclean-shavenbrowncheek。"I\'vestoleamarchontheotherboys。TherewasFrankSladepushin\'meclose，andIwashavin\'somerunnin\'tokeepJimBellbackinmydust。

EvenoldmanNelsmadeeyesatChristine！SoIwasn\'tgoin\'totakeanychances。IjustpackedherofftoElCajonandmarriedher。"

"Oh，soIheard，"saidMadeline，slowly，asshewatchedhim。

"Ambrose，doyou——loveher？"

Hereddenedunderhercleargaze，droppedhishead，andfumbledwithhisnewsombrero，andtherewasacatchinhisbreath。

Madelinesawhispowerfulbrownhandtremble。Itaffectedherstrangelythatthisstalwartcowboy，whocouldropeandthrowandtieawildsteerinlessthanoneminute，shouldtrembleatamerequestion。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，andatthebeautifulblaseofhiseyesMadelineturnedherownaway。

"Yes，MissHammond，Iloveher，"hesaid。"IthinkIloveherinthewayyou\'reaskin\'about。IknowthefirsttimeIsawherI

thoughthowwonderfulit\'dbetohaveagirllikethatformywife。It\'sallbeensostrange——hercomin\'an\'howshemademefeel。SureIneverknewmanygirls，andIhaven\'tseenanygirlsatallforyears。Butwhenshecame！Agirlmakesawonderfuldifferenceinaman\'sfeelin\'sandthoughts。IguessIneverhadanybefore。Leastways，nonelikeIhavenow。My——it——well，I

guessIhavealittleunderstandin\'nowofPadreMarcos\'sblessin\'。"

"Ambrose，haveyounothingtosaytome？"askedMadeline。

"I\'msuresorryIdidn\'thavetimetotellyou。ButIwasinsomehurry。"

"Whatdidyouintendtodo？WherewereyougoingwhenStillwellfoundyou？"

"We\'djustbeenmarried。Ihadn\'tthoughtofanythingafterthat。SupposeI\'dhaverustledbacktomyjob。I\'llsurehavetoworknowandsavemymoney。"

"Oh，well，Ambrose，Iamgladyourealizeyourresponsibilities。

Doyouearnenough——isyourpaysufficienttokeepawife？"

"Sureitis！Why，MissHammond，IneverbeforeearnedhalfthesalaryI\'mgettin\'now。It\'ssomefinetoworkforyou。I\'mgoin\'tofiretheboysoutofmybunk-houseandfixitupforChristineandme。Say，won\'ttheybejealous？"

"Ambrose，I——Icongratulateyou。Iwishyoujoy，"saidMadeline。

"I——IshallmakeChristinealittlewedding-present。Iwanttotalktoherforafewmoments。Youmaygonow。"

ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforMadelinetosayoneseverewordtothathappycowboy。Sheexperienceddifficultyinhidingherownhappinessattheturnofevents。CuriosityandinterestmingledwithherpleasurewhenshecalledtoChristine。

"Mrs。AmbroseMills，pleasecomein。"

Nosoundcamefromtheotherroom。

"Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseethebride，"wentonMadeline。

Stilltherewasnostirorreply"Christine！"calledMadeline。

ThenitwasasifalittlewhirlwindofflyingfeetandentreatinghandsandbeseechingeyesblewinuponMadeline。

Christinewassmall，graceful，plump，withverywhiteskinandverydarkhair。ShehadbeenMadeline\'sfavoritemaidforyearsandtherewassincereaffectionbetweenthetwo。WhateverhadbeentheblissfulignoranceofAmbrose，itwasmanifestlycertainthatChristineknewhowshehadtransgressed。Herfearandremorseandappealforforgivenesswerepouredoutinanincoherentstorm。PlainitwasthatthelittleFrenchmaidhadbeenoverwhelmed。ItwasonlyafterMadelinehadtakentheemotionalgirlinherarmsandhadforgivenandsoothedherthatherpartintheelopementbecameclear。Christinewasinamaze。

Butgradually，asshetalkedandsawthatshewasforgiven，calmnesscameinsomedegree，andwithitastorywhichamusedyetshockedMadeline。Theunmistakable，shy，marvelinglove，scarcelyrealizedbyChristine，gaveMadelinereliefandjoy。IfChristinelovedAmbrosetherewasnoharmdone。Watchingthegirl\'seyes，wonderfulwiththeirchangesofthought，listeningtoherattemptstoexplainwhatitwasevidentshedidnotunderstand，Madelinegatheredthatifeveracavemanhadtakenuntohimselfawife，ifeverabarbarianhadcarriedoffaSabinewoman，thenAmbroseMillshadactedwiththeviolenceofsuchancientforebears。JusthowitallhappenedseemedtobebeyondChristine。

"Hesayheloveme，"repeatedthegirl，inakindofraptawe。

"Heaskmetomarryhim——hekeesme——hehugme——heliftmeonzehorse——heridewithmeallnight——hemarryme。"

Andsheexhibitedaringonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。

Madelinesawthat，whateverhadbeenthestateofChristine\'sfeelingforAmbrosebeforethismarriage，shelovedhimnow。Shehadbeentakenforcibly，butshewaswon。

AfterChristinehadgone，comfortedandbetrayinghershyeagernesstogetbacktoAmbrose，Madelinewashauntedbythelookinthegirl\'seyes，andherwords。Assuredlythespellofromancewasonthissunnyland。ForMadelinetherewasanamelesscharm，anamelessthrillcombatinghersenseoftheviolenceandunfitnessofAmbrose\'swooing。Something，sheknewnotwhat，tookarmsagainstherintellectualarraignmentofthecowboy\'smethodofgettinghimselfawife。Hehadsaidstraightoutthathelovedthegirl——hehadaskedhertomarryhim——hekissedher——hehuggedher——heliftedheruponhishorse——herodeawaywithherthroughthenight——andhemarriedher。InwhateverlightMadelinereviewedthisthingshealwayscamebacktoherfirstnaturalimpression；itthrilledher，charmedher。Itwentagainstallthepreceptsofhertraining；nevertheless，itwassomehowsplendidandbeautiful。Sheimagineditstrippedanotherartificialscalefromherover-sophisticatedeyes。

ScarcelyhadshesettledagaintothetaskonherdeskwhenStillwell\'sheavytreadacrosstheporchinterruptedher。Thistimewhenheenteredheworealookthatbordereduponthehysterical；itwasdifficulttotellwhetherhewastryingtosuppressgrieforglee。

"MissMajesty，there\'sanotheramazin\'strangethingsprungonme。HyarsJimBellcometoseeyou，an\'，whenItaxedhim，sayin\'youwastolerablebusy，heupan\'sayshewashungryan\'

beain\'ta-goin\'toeatanymorebreadmadeinawash-basin！

Sayshe\'llstarvefirst。SaysNelshedthegangovertobigbunkan\'feastedthemonbreadyoutaughthimhowtomakeinsomenew-fangledbucket-machinewithacrank。Jimsaysthetbreadbeatanycakeheevereat，an\'hewantsyoutoshowhimhowtomakesome。Now，MissMajesty，assuperintendentofthisranchI

oughttoknowwhat\'sgoin\'on。MebbeJimisjesta-joshin\'me。

Mebbehe\'sgonecleandotty。MebbeIhev。An\'beggin\'yourpardon，Iwanttoknowifthere\'sanytruthinwhatJimsaysNelssays。"

WhereuponitbecamenecessaryforMadelinetostiflehermirthandtoinformthesadlyperplexedoldcattlemanthatshehadreceivedfromtheEastapatentbread-mixer，andinviewofthefactthatherhouseholdwomenhadtakenfrightatthecontrivance，shehadessayedtooperateitherself。Thishadturnedouttobesosimple，sosavingoftimeandenergyandflour，somuchmorecleanlythantheoldmethodofmixingdoughwiththehands，andparticularlyithadresultedinsuchgoodbread，thatMadelinehadbeenpleased。Immediatelysheorderedmoreofthebread-mixers。OnedayshehadhappeneduponNelsmakingbiscuitdoughinhiswash-basin，andshehaddelicatelyandconsideratelyintroducedtohimtheideaofhernewmethod。

Nels，itappeared，hadagreatreputationasabread-maker，andhewasproudofit。Moreover，hewasskepticalofanyclap-trapthingwithwheelsandcranks。Heconsented，however，tolethershowhowthethingworkedandtosamplesomeofthebread。Tothatendshehadhimcomeuptothehouse，whereshewonhimover。Stillwelllaughedloudandlong。

"Wal，wal，wal！"heexclaimed，atlength。"Thet\'sfine，an\'it\'spowerfulfunny。Mebbeyoudon\'tseehowfunny？Wal，Nelshasjestbeenlordin\'itovertheboysabouthowyoushowedhim，an\'

nowyou\'llhevtoshoweverylastcowboyontheplacethesamething。Cowboysarethejealousestkindoffellers。They\'reallcrazyaboutyou，anyway。TakeJimouthyar。Why，thetlazycowpuncherjestneverwouldmakebread。He\'snotoriousfershirkin\'hisshareofthegrubdeal。I\'veknowedJimtotradeoffwashin\'thepotsan\'pansferalonelywatchonarainynight。AllhewantsistoseeyoushowhimthesameasNelsiscrowin\'over。Thenhe\'llcrowoverhisbunkie，FrankSlade，an\'

thenFrank\'llgetlonelytoknowallaboutthiswonderfulbread-machine。Cowboysareamazin\'strangecritters，MissMajesty。An\'nowthetyou\'vebegunwiththemthisway，you\'llhevtokeepitup。IwillsayIneverseensuchabunchtowork。