ld, show him
how Danny Mains pays! An' the only bitter drop in my cup to-day is that
I can't ever pay Monty Price."

*****

Madeline's lips tremblingly formed to tell Danny Mains and Stillwell
that the cowboy they wanted so much had left the ranch; but the flame
of fine loyalty that burned in Danny's eyes, the happiness that made the
old cattleman's face at once amazing and beautiful, stiffened her lips.
She watched the huge Stillwell and the little cowboy, both talking
wildly, as they walked off arm in arm to find Stewart. She imagined
something of what Danny's disappointment would be, of the elder man's
consternation and grief, when he learned Stewart had left for the
border. At this juncture she looked up to see a strange, yet familiar
figure approaching. Padre Marcos! Certain it was that Madeline felt
herself trembling. What did his presence mean on this day? He had always
avoided meeting her whenever possible. He had been exceedingly grateful
for all she had done for his people, his church, and himself; but he had
never thanked her in person. Perhaps he had come for that purpose now.
But Madeline did not believe so.

Mention of Padre Marcos, sight of him, had always occasioned Madeline
a little indefinable shock; and now, as he stepped to the porch, a
shrunken, stooped, and sad-faced man, she was startled.

The padre bowed low to her.

"Senora, will you grant me audience?" he asked, in perfect English, and
his voice was low-toned and grave.

"Certainly, Padre Marcos," replied Madeline; and she led him into her
office.

"May I beg to close the doors?" he asked. "It is a matter of great
moment, which you might not care to have any one hear."

Wonderingly Madeline inclined her head. The padre gently closed one door
and then the others.

"Senora, I have come to disclose a secret--my own sinfulness in keeping
it--and to implore your pardon. Do you remember that night Senor Stewart
dragged me before you in the waiting-room at El Cajon?"

"Yes," replied Madeline.

"Senora, since that night you have been Senor Stewart's wife!"

Madeline became as motionless as stone. She seemed to feel nothing, only
to hear.

"You are Senor Stewart's wife. I have kept the secret under fear of
death. But I could keep it no longer. Senor Stewart may kill me now. Ah,
Senora, it is very strange to you. You were so frightened that night,
you knew not what happened. Senor Stewart threatened me. He forced you.
He made