she could not. Her glance, however, caught the same rough dress
and hard aspect that characterized the cowboy Stewart. Then one
rider threw his bridle, leaped from the saddle, and came bounding
up the porch steps. Florence met him at the door.

"Hello, Flo. Where is she?" he called, eagerly. With that he
looked over her shoulder to espy Madeline. He actually jumped at
her. She hardly knew the tall form and the bronzed face, but the
warm flash of blue eyes was familiar. As for him, he had no
doubt of his sister, it appeared, for with broken welcome he
threw his arms around her, then held her off and looked
searchingly at her.

"Well, sister," he began, when Florence turned hurriedly from the
door and interrupted him.

"Al, I think you'd better stop the wrangling out there." He
stared at her, appeared suddenly to hear the loud voices from the
street, and then, releasing Madeline, he said:

"By George! I forgot, Flo. There is a little business to see
to. Keep my sister in here, please, and don't be fussed up now."

He went out on the porch and called to his men:

"Shut off your wind, Jack! And you, too, Blaze! I didn't want
you fellows to come here. But as you would come, you've got to
shut up. This is my business."

Whereupon he turned to Stewart, who was sitting on the fence.