Zane Grey

The Light of the Western Stars Zane Grey

Because of that singular reply Madeline found faith to go farther with the cowboy. But at themoment she really did not think about what he had said. Any answer to her would have served if ithad been kind. His silence had augmented her nervousness, compelling her to voice her fear. Still, even if he had not replied at all she would have gone on with him. She shuddered at the idea ofreturning to the station, where she believed there had been murder; she could hardly have forcedherself to go back to those dim lights in the street; she did not want to wander around alone in thedark. And as she walked on into the windy darkness, much relieved that he had answered as he had, reflecting that he had yet to prove his words true, she began to grasp the deeper significance ofthem. There was a revival of pride that made her feel that she ought to scorn to think at all aboutsuch a man. But Madeline Hammond discovered that thought was involuntary, that there werefeelings in her never dreamed of before this night. Presently Madeline's guide turned off the walk and rapped at a door of a low-roofed house."Hullo-who's there?" a deep voice answered."Gene Stewart," said the cowboy. "Call Florence-quick!"Thump of footsteps followed, a tap on a door, and voices. Madeline heard a woman exclaim: "Gene! here when there's a dance in town! Something wrong out on the range." A light flared upand shone bright through a window. In another moment there came a patter of soft steps, and thedoor opened to disclose a woman holding a lamp."Gene! Al's not-""Al is all right," interrupted the cowboy. Madeline had two sensations then-one of wonder at the note of alarm and love in the woman'svoice, and the other of unutterable relief to be safe with a friend of her brother's."It's Al's sister-came on to-night's train," the cowboy was saying. "I happened to be at thestation, and I've fetched her up to yo