The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-11-22
(Continued from laS6 issuoC

"Look at the Indian" whispered
Bedding. hoarsely. "D-n if I don't
believe he understood every word Mer-
cedes said. And, gentlemen, don't mis-
take me, if he ever gets near SenOr
Rojas there'll be some CORY Aztec
knife work."
Yaqui had moved close to Mercedes,
and stood beside her as she leaned
against her husband. She seemed i'm
PEELED to meet the Indians gaze, and
evidently 1t was so powerful or hyp-
motto that it wrought irrcsistibly upon
her. But she must have seen or d.
vined what was beyond the others,
for she offered him her trembling
hand. Yaqui took It and laid it
against his body in a strange notion
and bowed his head. Then he stepped
back into the shadow of the room.
Belding went outdoors while the
rangers took up their former position
at the west window. Each had his
own somber thoughts, Gale imagined.
and knew his own were dark enough.
He saw Bedding halt at the corrals
and wave his hand. Then the rebels
mounted and came briskly up the
road, this time to rein in abreast.
Wherever Rojas had kept himself
upon the former advance was not
clear; but he certainly was prominent.
ly in sight now. He made a gaudy,
almost a dashing figure Rojas dis
mounted and seemed to be listening.
Bedding made gestures, vehemently
bobbed his big head, appeared to talk
with his body as much as with his
tongue: Then Rojas was seen to reply,
and after that it was clear that the
talk became painful and difficult. 1t
ended finally in what appeared to be
mutual understanding. Rojas mount
ed and rode away with his men,
while Bedding came tramping back to
the house.
AS he entered the door his eyes
were shining, his big hands were
clenched, and he was breathing au-
dibly.
"You can rope me If I'm not To-
coed! :" he burst out. II went out to
conciliate red-handed little mur-
derer, and d-n me If didn't meet
a-a-well, I've no suitable name
handy. I started my bluff and got
along pretty well, but forgot to l1en.
tiOn that Mercedes was Thornes wife.
And what do you think? Rojas swore
he loved Mercedes-swOre he'd marry
her right here in Forlorn River
swOre he would give up robbing and
from Mexico. He has gold-jewels.
He swore if he didn't get her moth
Ing mattered. He'd die anyway with
out her. And here's the strange
thing. I believe him! He was cold
as ice, and all HI inside. Never saw
Greaser like him. Anyway, without
my asking he said for me to think it
over for day and then we'd talk
again."
"Shore we're born lucky!" ejacu-
lated Ladd.
II reckon Rojas'll be smart enough
to string his outfit across the few
trails out of Forlorn River" remarked
Jim.
THAT needn't worry us. All we
want is dark to come" replied Bel
ding. ''Yaqui will slip through. If
we thank any lucky stars let it be for
the Indian. You may go to Yuma in
six days and maybe in six weeks. You
may have big fight. Laddy, take
the .4O5. Dick will pack his Reming-
ton. All of you go gunned heavy But
the main thing is a pack that'll be
light enough for swift travel, yet one
that'll keep you from starving on the
desert"
The rest of that day passed swiftly.
The sun set, twilight fell. then night
closed down, fortunately night
slightly overcast. Gale saw the white
horses pass his door like silent
ghosts. Even Blanco Diablo made no
sound, and that fact was indeed a
tribute to the Yaqui. Gale went out
to put his saddle on Blanco Sol The
horse rubbed soft nose against his
shoulder. Then Gale returned to the
sitting room. There was nothing more
to do but wait and say good-by. Mer-
cedes came clad in leather chaps and
coat, a slim STRIPPING of cowboy, her
dark eyes flashing. Her beauty could
not be hidden, and now hope and
courage had fired her blood
Gale drew Nell into his arms.
Dearest, Tn going-soon. .
And maybe I'll never"
"Dick, dO-don't say It," sobbed
Nell, with her head on his breast.
II might never come back" he went
on, steadily. 81 love you've loved
you ever since the first moment saw
you. Do you love me?'
Eyes, yes. Oh, love you so!
never knew 1t till now. I love you so.
Dick, I'll be safe and I'll wait-and
hope and pray for your return"
IF I come back-no-when come
back, will you marry me?'
"I-Ioh yes"' she whispered, and
returned Ills kiss.
81 t. 1T