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。