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。\"