The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-12-14


| road when we run right plumb into
| the young man. Well, he said bis
| name was Gale-Dick Gale. The girl
was with him safe an well; but her
! sweetheart, the soldier, beln' away
without leave, had to go back sudden.
There shore was some trouble, for
Jim an me heard shoottn'. Gale
| said he had no money, no friends, was
a stranger In desert country; an
he was distracted to know how to
help the girl. So me an Jim started
of with them for San Felipe. got
switched, an then we headed for the
Rio Forlorn."
ION. l think he was perfectly splen.
did," exclaimed the girl. But, lady.
you haven't told me what be locks
Ike"
At this juncture Dick Gale felt It
absolutely impossible to play the
eavesdropper any longer. Quietly he
rolled out Of bed. Belongs kindly
interest, Laddy's blunt and sincere
cowboy eulogy. the girls sweet eager
ness and pralse-these warmed Gales
heart. He had fallen among simple
people, into whose lives the advent
Of an unknown man was welcome.
He was wild to be one Of Belongs
rangers. The idea Of riding a horse
In the open desert, with a dangerous
duty to perform, seemed to strike him
with an appealing force. Something
within him went out to the cowboys,
to this blunt and kind Bedding. He
was afraid to meet the girl. II every
man who came along fell In love with
this sweet.voiced Nell, then what
hope had he to escape-now, when his
whole inner awakening betokened a
change Of spirit, hope, finding Of
real worth, real good, real power In
himself?
Gale imagined he made noise
enough as he clumsily pulled on HE
boots; yet the voices. split by a merry
laugh. kept on murmurlng outside the
door. 1t was awkward for him, hav.
ing only one hand available to lace
up his boots. He looked out Of the
window. He heard bees, birds, chick.
ems, saw the red Of roses and green
Of grass. Then he saw, close to the
wall. a tub full Of water, and a bench
upon which lay basin, soap. towel,
comb and brush. The window was
also a door, for under 1t there was a
step.
Gale hesitated a moment, then
went out. He stepped naturally, hop
Ing and expecting that the cowboys
would hear him. But nobody came.
Awkwardly, with left hand. he washed
his face. Upon a nail IN tho wall
hung q little mirror. by the aid Of
which Dick combed and brushed his
hair. He imagined he looked 4 most
haggard wretch. With that he faced
forward. meaning to 60 round the cor
ner Of the house to greet tho cowboys
and these new.found friends.
Dick had taken but one step when
Ne was halted by laughter and the
patter Of light feet. He saw 4 little
foot sweep into view, Z white dress.
then the swiftly moving form Of 4
girl. She was looking backward.
dad, shall fall In love with your
new ranger. WILL have"
Then she pumped squarely into
Dicks arms.
Dick saw a fair face and dark.
blue, audaciously flashing eyes. Swift
as lightning their expression changed
to surprise, fear. wonder. For an In.
slant they were level with Dicks
grave questioning. Suddenly. sweet.
", she bluShed.
"Oh.h" she faltered.
Then the blush turned to 4 scarlet
fire. She whlrled past him, and like
4 white gleam was gone.
Dick became conscious Of the quick.
ened beating Of his heart. He expe-
rlenced a singular exhilaratlon. That
moment had been the one for which
he had been ripe, the event upon
which strange circumstances had