RED OLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF X v wm CHAPTER XXII Continued, gave lior a packet of telegrams. Madeline tore them open with Klniklnj; lingers, begun to rend with swift, iltm oyefl. Home were from Washington, as miring her of every possible service; hoiiiu were from New York; others written In Spanish were from 131 I'm ho, und these tdiu could not wholly trans late In n brief glance. Would hIio never flue Still well's message? It was the last. It wns lengthy. It read: "Nought Stewart's release. Also ar ranged for his transfer as prisoner of war. Hoth matters olllclal. lie's safe If we can get notice to his captors. Not sure I've reached them ly wire. Afraid to trust It. Vou go with Link to Agun 1'rleta. Take the tnessiigcs Kent you In Spanish. They will protect you anil secure Stewart's frct'dom. Take Nels with you. Slop for noth ing. Tell I, Ink all trust him let him drive that car. "STII.MVKLL." "Link, do you know the roads, the trails the desert between here and Agun I'rletaV" sae asked. Can an nil lomoblle he driven from here Into oilhern Mexico?" "Sure. Hut It'll take time." . "We must do It In little time," she vent on, In swift eagerness. "Other vise Stewart may bt. probably will lie be shot. I.lnk Stevens appeared Riiddcnly to grow lav, shriveled, to lose all his pe culiar pert brightness, to weaken and nge. "I'm only a a cowboy, Miss Majes ty." He almost faltered. It was a sin gular change In him. "Thet's an aw ful ride down over Hip border. If by some luck 1 didn't smash the car I'd turn your hair gray. You'd never be no good after thet'rldel" "I am Stewart's wife," she answered Idm, and she looked at him, not con HolotiN of any motive to persuade or nl lure, but Just to let blm know the greatness of her dependence upon blm. He started violently the old action of Stewarf, the memorable action of Monty l'rlce. This man was of the same wild breed. Then Madeline's words flowed In n torrent. "I am Stewart's wife. I love Idm; I have been unjust to him; I must save blm. Link, I hnve faith In you. I beseech you to do your best for Stewart's sake for my sake. I'll risk the ride gladly bravely. I'll not care where or how you drive. I'd far rather plunge Into a canyon go to my death on tho rocks than not try to save Stewart." How beautiful the response of this rude cowboy to realize his absolute unconsciousness of self, to we the haggard shnde burn out of his face, the old, cool, devU-may-caro spirit re turn to bis eyes, and to feel something wonderful about ill in then! It wns more than will or daring or sacrltlcc. A blood-tie might have existed between litm and Madeline. "Miss Majesty, thet ride Aggers Im possible, hut I'll do Itl" he replied. Ills Can an Automobile Be Driven From Here Into Northern Mexico?" oool, bright glance thrilled her. "I'll need inebbo half an hour to go over ilie car an' to pack on what I'll want." She could not thank film, and her re ply was merely a request that he tell Nels and other cowboys off duty to conio up to the bouse. When Link' had vono Madeline gave a moment's ihought to preparations for the ride. A number of cowboys were waiting. She explained the situation nud lert them In clinrge of her home. With that she asked Nels to uccompany her down Into the desert. "Why, Miss Majesty, I'm powerful proud to go. If you're goln' down nmong tho Greasers you wunt me." Madeline heard the buzz of the car. Link nppenred, driving up the slope. III Btbu v$T la mail h tMott. Rlldlxur turn ky -tT"i fPmkStoSn nap? vaXa .opyngtiCib lorp orvd Brothers'"- .JB, stopped before the porch. Link had tied two long, heavy planks upon the car, one on each side, and In every available space he bad strapped extra tires. A huge cask occupied one back seat, and another scat was full of tools and ropes. There was Just room In this rear part of the car for Nels to squeeze In. Link put Madeline In front beside him, then bent over the wheel. Madeline waved her hand at the si lent cowboys on the porch. Not an audible good-hy was spoken. The car glided out of the yard, leaped from level to slope, and started swiftly down the road, out Into the open valley. Kach stronger rush of dry wind In Madelne's face marked the Increase of speed. The buzz, the roar of wheels, of heavy body In Might, Increased to n continuous droning hum. The wind became an Insupport able body moving toward her, crush ing lior breast, making the task of breathing most dllllcult. To Madeline the time seemed to lly with the speed of miles. Cactus hatred the wny, rocks barred the way, gullies barred the way, and these Nels addressed In the grim humor with which he was wont to view tragic things. Again and ngnln Link used the planks to cross washes In sand. Presently he came to a ditch where water had worn deep Into the road. Without hesitation he placed them, measuring distance cnrefully, and then started across. The danger was In ditching the machine. One of the planks split, sagged a little, but Link made the crossing without slip. At length a mile of clean, brown ''lope, ridged and grooved like a wash board, led gently down to meet the Moor of the valley, where the scant grama-grass struggled to give a tinge of gray. The road appeared to be come more clearly defined, and could be seen striking Mrnlght ncross tho valley. To Madeline's dismay, that road led down to n deep, narrow wash. The crossing would have been laborsome for n horse; for an automobile It was Impassable. Link drove bnck to the road, crossed It, and kept on down the line of the wash. It was a deep cut In red earth, worn straight down by swift water In the rainy season. It narrowed. When Link reached the narrowest points be got out of the car and walked from place to place. Once with n little Jump he cleared the wash. Then Madeline noted that the farther rim was somewhat lower. In n Mnsh she divined Link's Intention. He was hunting a place to Jump the car over the crack In the ground. Soon ho found one that .eemed to suit him, for he tied his red scarf upon a grensewood-bush. Then, returning to the car, he clambered In, backed up the gentle slope nud halted Just short of steeper ground. Hunching low over the wheel, be started, slowly nt first, then faster, and then faster. The great car gave a spring like it huge tiger. The Impact of suddenly formed wind almost tore Madeline out of her seat. She felt Nels' powerful bands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes. The Jolting headway of the car gave place to n gliding rush, nils was broken by n slight Jar, and then above the hum luid roar rose n cowboy yell. Madeline waited with strained nerves for the expected crash. It did not come". Opening her eyes, she saw the level valley door without n break. She had not even noticed the Instant when the cur had shot over the wash. A strange breathlessness attacked her, and she attributed It to the celer ity with which she was being carried along. I'ulllnc the hood down over her face, she sank low In the sent. The whir of the car now seemed to be a world-lllllng sound. There wfl'j a long, blank period from which slit- awakened to feel nu arm supporting her. Then she rallied. The velocity of the car had been cut to the speed to which she was accustomed. Throwing bnck the hood, she breathed freely again, recov ered fully. The car was howling along a wide road upon the outskirts of, a city. Madeline asked what place It could be. "Douglas." replied Link. "An' Jest around Is Agua t'lletn I" That last name seemed to stun Madeline. She beard no more, and saw little until the cur stopped. Nels spoke to some one. Then sight of khaki-chid soldiers quickened Made line's faculties. She was on the boun dary-line between the United States ami Mexico, and Agua Prleta, with Its white and blue-walled houses, Its hrown-tlled roofs, lay before her. A cavalry olllcer approached the car, stared, and removed his somhroro. "Can you tell me anything about Stewart, the American cowboy who was captured by rebels a few days ago?" asked Madeline. "Yes," replied the olllcer. "Stewart Is reported to have done reckless light ing and was captured, lie got a Mexi can sentence. He Is known he; along the border, and the news of his cap ture stirred up excitement. We did all wc could to net his releiuja. Xiia gunmirnn fenrcd to execute him here, f nnd believed lie might be aided to es cape. So a detachment departed with him for Mezqultal." "He was sentenced to be shot Thurs day at sunset tonight?" "Yes. I regret that I can't give you dcllnlte Information. If you are friends of Stewart's relatives I might find " "I am his wife," Interrupted Made line. "Will you ple.r.-e read these." She handed him the telegrams. "Ad vise me help me, If you canj" With n wondering glance at her the olllcer received the telegrams. He read several, and whistled low In amaze. Ills manner became quick, alert, serious. "I can't read these written In Span ish, hut I know the nnmes signed." Swiftly he ran through the others. "Why, these nienn Stewart's release has been nutborlzed. They explain mysterious rumors we have heard hero. Greaser treachery t For some strange reason messages from the rebel Juntn have fulled to roach their destination. I'll go with you to Gen eral Salazur, the rebel chief In com mand. 1 know him. Perhaps wc can find out something." Nels made room for the ofllcer. Link sent the car whirring ncross the line Into Mexican territory. Tiny road ended In an Immense plaza, In the cen ter of which was a circular structure that In some measure resembled a corral. It was n bull-ring, where the national sport of bull-lighting was car ried on. Madeline cnught n glimpse of tents Inside, then her view was obstructed by a curious, pressing throng. The cavalry olllcer leaped from the car and pushed his way Into the entrance. How stilling was this crowded, ill smelling plaza I The sun, red nnd low ering, had sloped far down In the west, but still burned with furnace heat. A swnrm of Mies whirled over the car. The shadows of low-sailing buzr.nrds crossed Madeline's sight. Then she saw a row of the huge, uncanny black birds sitting upon the tiled roof of n house. They had neither nn nlr of sleeping nor resting. They were wait ing. She fought off n horrible ghastly Idea before Its full realization. Suddenly the crowd parted to let the cavalry olllcer nnd a rebel of striking presence get to the car. "Madam, it Is as I suspected," said the olllcer, quickly. "The messnges directing Stewart's release never reached Salazar. They were Inter cepted. Hut even without them we might have secured Stewart's ex change If It hnd not been for the fact that one of his captors wanted him shot. This guerrilla Intercepted the orders, and then was Instrumental In taking Stewart to Mezqultal. It Is ex ceedingly sad. Why, he should be a free man this Instant. I regret " "Who did this this thing?" cried Madeline, cold and sick. "Who Is the guerrilla?" "Senor Don Carlos Martinez. He hns been n bandit, a man of Influwu in Sonnra. He Is more of a secret agent In the nffalrs of the revolution than nn active participator. Hut he has seen guerrllln service." "Don Carlos! Stewart In his power I Ob, God!" Madeline sank down, al most overcome. Then two grent hands, powerful, thrilling, clnsped her shoul ders, and Nels bent over her. "Miss Majesty, shore we're wnstln' time here," he said. Ills voice, like his hands, was uplifting. She wheeled to him In trembling Importunity. How cold, bright, blue the Hash of his eyes! They told Madeline she must not weaken. Hut she could not speak her thought to Nels could only look at Link. "It Aggers Impossible, but I'll do It !" said Link Stevens, In nnswer to her voiceless query. "Can I get a permit to go Into the In terlor to Mezqultal?" nsked Madeline of the olllcer. "You are going on? Madam, It's a forlorn hope. Mezqultal Is n hundred miles nwny. Hut there's n chance the barest chance If your man can drive this car. Tho Mexicans are either murderous or ceremonious in their executions. The arrangements for Stewart's will be elaborate. Hut, barring unusual clrcumstnnces, It will take place precisely at the hour desig nated, i ou, need no permit. Your mes sages are oMlclal papers. Hut to save time, perhaps delay, I suggest you take this Mexican, Senor Montes, with you. He outranks Don Cnrlos and knows the captain of the Mezqultnl detach ment." "I thnnk you, sir. I shnll not forget your kindness." concluded Madeline. The white, narrow road Unshed out of the foreground, slipped with Incon ceivable rapidity under the cur. When she marked n clump of cmtus far abend r seemed to shoot at her, to speed hi hind her even tho Infant she noticed It. Nevertheless, Madeline knew Link wns not putting the iar to its limit. Swiftly as he was Hying, be held something In reserve. And every leaf und blade and branch of cactus bore wicked thorns, any one of which would be fatal to a tire. It came at length, the bursting re port. The car lurched, went on like a crippled thing, and halted, obidlcut to the ninster hand at the wheel. Swift as Link was In replacing the tire, he lost time. Tho red sun. more sullen, duskier as It neared the blink, bold horizon, appeared to mock Madeline, to eye her In derision. Link leaped In, and the car sprang ahead. The road began to wind up; It turned nnd twisted In tantalizing, lazy curves; It was In no hurry to surmount a hill that began to nssuine proportions of a mountain; It wns leisurely, us were nil things In Mexico except strife. That was quick, fierce, bloody It was Spanish. The descent from thnt elevation was dllllcult, extremely hazardous, yet Link b drove fast. Then, In tnktag nn nbrupt curve, grasping spear ruined another tire. This time the car rasped across tho road into the cvr tus, bursting the second front-wXeel tire. Like demons Indeed Link nnd Nels worked. Shuddering, Madeline felt the declining heat of the sun, saw with gloomy eyes the shading of the red light over the desert. She did not look back to sec how near the sun wns to the horizon. She wanted to ask Nels. Strange as anything on this ter rible ride was the absence of speech, As yet no word had been spoken, Made line wanted to shriek to Link to hurry. Hut be was more than humanly swift In all his actions. So with mute lips, with the Are in tier beginning to chill, with n Ilfelessness menacing her spirit, she watched, hoped against hope, prayed for a long, straight, smooth road. Quite suddenly she snw It, seemingly miles of clear, narrow Inne disappear ing like n thin, white streak In distant green. Perhaps Link Stevens' heart leaped like Madeline's. The huge car with a roar and n Jerk seemed to nn swer Madeline's cnll, a cry no less poignant because It wns silent. Faster, faster, faster I The roar be ennio n whining hum. Then for Made line sound censed to be anything she could not hear. The wind wns now heavy, Imponderable, no longer a swift, plastic thing, but solid, like an onrush Ing wnll. it bore down upon Madeline with such resistless weight that she could not move. The green of desert plants nlong the road merged In two shapeless fences, sliding ut her from tho distance. Objects ahead began to blur the white road, to grow streaky, like rays of light, the bky to take on more of n rcddenl g hnze. That was MndePo's last clear sen sation upon the rb'e Hllndod, dazed, she succumbed to the demands upon her strength. Sh reeled, fell back, only vnguely own re of a helping hand. Confusion seized 1 er senses. All about her was n dnrk ihaos through which sbo was rushing, rushing, rushing un der the wrathful eye of n setting sun. Hut at an end of Infinite time that rush ceased. Madeline lost the queer feeling of being disembodied by n frightfully swift cnreenlng through boundless distance. Sho distinguished voices, low nt Arst, apparently fur nwny. Then she opened her eyes to blurred but conscious sight. The car hnd come to n stop. Link wns lying face down over the wheel. Nels was rubbing her hnnds, cnlllng to her. She saw a house with clean white washed wall and brown-tiled roof. He yond, over n dnrk mountain range, peeped the last red curve, the last beau tiful ray of the setting sun. CHAPTER XXIII ! At the End of the Road. Madeline saw thnt the car was sur rounded by armed Mexicans. They presented n contrast to the others she had seen that day; she wondered n little at their silence, at their respect ful front. Suddenly a sharp spoken order opened up the ranks next to the house. Senor Montes nppeared In tho break, coming swiftly. Ills dark face wore n smile; bis mnnner wns courteous, Important, nuthorltntlve. "Senorn, you got here In time. El Capltau Stewart will be free." "Free!" she whispered. She rose, reeling. "Come," replied Montes, taking her nrm. "Perdoneme, Senorn. Senor Montes led Madeline through a hall to a patio, and on through n large room with flooring of rough, bare boards that rattled, into n small er room full of nrmed quiet rebels facing an open window. Montes directed Madeline's ntten ton to a man by the window. A loose senrf of vivid red hung frun his hand. "Senorn, they were wnltlng for the sun to set when we arrived," snld Montes. "The slgnnl wns about to be given for Senor Stewnrt's wnlk to death." "Stewart's walk!" echoed Madeline. "Ah, Senorn, let me tell you his sen tence the sentence I hnve hnd the honor nnd happiness to revoke for you." Stewnrt had been court-martialed and sentenced uccordlng to n Mexican custom observed In enses of brave sol diers to whom honorable nnd fitting executions were due. Ills hour had been set for Thursday when the sun bad sunk. Upon slgnnl he was to be liberated and was free to wnlk out Into the road, to take any direction he pleased. He knew his sentence; knew thnt death awaited him, thnt every possible avenue of escape wns blocked by men with rifles ready. Hut he had not the slightest Idea nt what moment or from what direction the bullets were to come. "Senorn, we hnve sent messengers to every squad of waiting soldiers nn order thnt Kl Capltan Is not to be shot, tie Is ignorant of his release. 1 shall give the slgnnl for his freedom." "Is there no no possibility of n mistake?" faltered Madeline. "None. My order Included unload ing or titles." "Don Carlos?" "He Is In Irons, and must nnswer to General Salazar," replied Montes. With n heart stricken by both Joy nnd agony, she saw Montes give the slgnnl. Then she wnlted. No chance mnnl fested Itself down the length of that lonely road. There was absolute si lence In the room behind her. How terribly, Infinitely long seemed the wnltlng I Suddenly n door opened nnd n tall men stepped out. Madeline recognized Stewart. She hnd to place both hands on the window-sill for support, while n storm of emotion swayed her. Like a retreat- tog wave It rushed away. Rto-an lived, lie was free. He hod uteppod out Into the light. She had saved htm, Life chnnged for tier In thnt In stunt of realization und became sweot, full, strange. Stewart shook hands with some ono in the doorwny. Then he looked up nnd down the road. The door closed behind him. Leisurely he rolled a cigarette, stood close to the wnll while he scratched n match. Kvcn nt Unit dlstnnce Madeline's keen eyes caught the small Maine, the first little pull' of smoke. Stewnrt then took to the middle of the road and leisurely began his walk. Madeline watched him, with pride, love, pain, glory combating lor n inns tery over her. This wnlk of his seem ingly took longer than all her hours of uwakenlng, of strife, of remorse, longer tlmn the ride to And him. Sho felt that 11 would be Impossible for her to wait till he reached the end of the rond. Yet In the hurry nnd riot of her feelings she hnd fleeting panics. She wnnted to run to meet lilm. Nev ertheless, she stood rooted to her covert behind the window, living that terrible wnlk with hlin to the utter most thought of home, sister, mother, sweetheart, wife, life Itself every thought that could come to a man stnlklng to meet his executioners. With nil that tumult In her mind nud henrt Madeline still fell prey to the incomprehensible variations of emotion possible to n womun. livery step Stewnrt took thrilled her. She hnd some strange, subtle Intuition thnt he was not unhappy, and thnt he believed iii!iip Mm "Who Aro You7" He Whispered Hoarsely. beyond shndow of doubt that he was walking to his death. His steps dragged n little, though they hnd be gun to be swift. The old, hnrd, phys ical, -wild nerve of the cowboy was perhaps In conflict with spiritual growth of the finer man, renllzlng too Into that life ought not to be sncrl flcetl. Then the dark gleam thnt was Ids face took shape, grew sharper out! clenrer. He was stalking now, and there wns a suggestion of Impatience In his stride. It took these hidden Mexicans n long time to kill him I At n point In the middle of the rond. even with the corner of a house and oppo site to Mndellne's position, Stewart hnlted stockstlll. He presented a fair, hold mnrk to his executioners, nnd he stood there motionless a full moment. That wait was almost unendurable for Madeline. Perhaps It was only n moment, several moments nt the long est, but the time seemed n year. Stewart's face was scornful, hnrd. Did he suspect treachery on the part of his captors, that they mennt to play with him ns n cut with n mouse, to murder him at leisure? Madeline was sure she caught the old, Inscrutable, mocking smile fleeting ncross his lips. He held thnt position for what must have been n reasonable time to his mind, then with n laugh and a shrug he throw the cigarette Into the rond. He shook his head as If at the incom prehensible motives of men who could have no fair reasons now for delay. lie made n sudden violent action thnt was more thnn n straightening of his powerful frame. It wns the old Instinctive violence. Then he faced north. Madeline rend his thought, knew he was thinking or her, calling her n lust silent farewell. He would serve her to his last brenth, leave her free, keep his secret. Thnt picture of him, dark-browed, flre-eyed, strangely sad nnd strong, sank Indelibly Into Mndellne's heart of henrts. The next Instant ho wns striding forward, to force by bold nnd scorn ful presence n speedy fulfillment of bis sentence. Madeline stepped Into the door, crossed tho threshold. Stewart stag gered as if Indeed the bullets he ex pected had pierced him In mortal wound. Ills dark fnco turned wnite. Ills eyes bad the rapt stare, the wild fear of a innn who snw an apparition yet who doubted his sight. Perhaps he had called to her as the Mexicans culled to their Virgin; perhaps he Im agined sudden death had come un awares", and this wns her 'innge op pontine to blm in some other life. "Who are you?" ho whispered, hoarsely. She tried to lift her hands, failed, tried ngaln, nnd held them out, tretn. hi Ing. "It Is I. Majesty. Your wife!" THE END More than 110,000 persons are ? gaged In the paper pulp Industry ii Cunudj Recovery From' Influenza " Hastened by ' PE-RU-NA jmmmSmi; ? ?& x&mm Mr. C. A. Allen, R. R. No. 2, Bondurant, Iowa, gives testimony to the healing power of Pe-ru-na. Influenza left him much run down in health with catarrh of the nose, throat and bronichal tubes punct uated with attacks of asthma. He writes : "While recovering from the In-' fluenza I was so weak I could not Rain any strength for two months. The latter part of the winter, I bought six bottles-of Pc-ru-na and began taking it. My weight in creased to 175 pounds, the most I ever weighed. 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