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 up
and shone bright through a window. In another moment there came
a patter of soft steps, and the door 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's voice, 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 the station, and I've fetched her
up to you."

Madeline came forward out of the shadow.

"Not--not really Majesty Hammond!" exclaimed Florence Kingsley.
She nearly dropped the lamp, and she looked and looked, astounded
beyond belief.

"Yes, I am really she," replied Madeline. "My train was late,
and for some reason Alfred did not meet me. Mr.--Mr. Stewart saw
fit to bring me to you instead of taking me to a hotel."

"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you," replied Florence, warmly. "Do