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。"