s going
to marry me."

"Alfred!"

"What's the matter, Majesty? Didn't Florence impress you favorably?" he
asked, with a keen glance.

"Why--yes, indeed. I like her. But I did not think of her in relation
to you--that way. I am greatly surprised. Alfred, is she well born? What
connections?"

"Florence is just a girl of ordinary people. She was born in Kentucky,
was brought up in Texas. My aristocratic and wealthy family would
scorn--"

"Alfred, you are still a Hammond," said Madeline, with uplifted head.

Alfred laughed. "We won't quarrel, Majesty. I remember you, and in spite
of your pride you've got a heart. If you stay here a month you'll love
Florence Kingsley. I want you to know she's had a great deal to do
with straightening me up.... Well, to go on with my story. There's Don
Carlos, a Mexican rancher, and he's my worst enemy. For that matter,
he's as bad an enemy of Bill Stillwell and other ranchers. Stillwell, by
the way, is my friend and one of the finest men on earth. I got in debt
to Don Carlos before I knew he was so mean. In the first place I lost
money at faro--I gambled some when I came West--and then I made unwise
cattle deals. Don Carlos is a wily Greaser, he knows the ranges, he
has the water, and he is dishonest. So he outfigured me. And now I am
practically ruined. He has not gotten possession of my ranch, but that's
only a matter of time, pending lawsuits at Santa Fe. At present I have a
few hundred cattle running on Stillwell's range, and I am his foreman."

"Foreman?" queried Madeline.

"I am simply boss of Stillwell's cowboys, and right glad of my job."

Madeline was conscious of an inward burning. It required an effort for
her to retain her outward tranquillity. Annoying consciousness she had
also of the returning sense of new disturbing emotions. She began to see
just how walled in from unusual thought-provoking incident and sensation
had been her exclusive life.

"Cannot your property be reclaimed?" she asked. "How much do you owe?"

"Ten thousand dollars would clear me and give me another start. But,
Majesty, in this country that's a good deal of money, and I haven't been
able to raise it. Stillwell's in worse shape than I am."

Madeline went over to Alfred and put her hands on his shoulders.

"We must not be in debt."

He stared at her as if her words had recalled something long forgotten.
Then he smiled.

"How imperious you are! I'd forgotten just who my beautiful sister