The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-12-14

! II want to make last effort to pro-
pitiate you," began Chase, in his quick.
smooth voice. That was a singular
change to Belding-the dropping in
stantly into an easy flow of speech.
,'You've had losses here, and naturally
you're sore.. I don't blame you. But
you can't see this thing from my side
of the fence. Business is business. In
business the best man wins The law
upheld those transactions of mine the
honesty of which you questioned. Now
I want to run that main ditch along
the river, through your farm. Can't
we make deal? I'm ready to be lib
eral-to meet you more than halfway.
I'll give you an interest in the CON-
pany. think I've influence enough up
at the capitol to have you reinstated as
Inspector. A little reasonableness on
your part will put you right again in
Forlorn River, with chance of grow
ing rich. There's a big future here.
=. My interest, Belding, has become
personal: Radford is in love with your
stepdaughter. He wants to marry her.
Now let's get together not only in busl-
ness, but in family way. If my sons
happiness depends upon having this
girl, you may rest assured I'll do all
can to get her for him. I'll absolutely
make good all your losses. Now what
do you say?" ..~. -.
NO." replied Belding. "Your money
can't buy right of way across my
ranch. And Nell doesn't want your
Son. That settles that" 49,
But you could persuade her."
''I won't, that's ALL"
''May ask why?' Chase's voice
was losing it's suave quality, but it
was even swifter than before.
"Sure. don't mind your asking"
replied Belding, in slow deliberation.
81 wouldn't do such 1ow-down trick.
Besides. if would, I'd want 1T to be a
man I was persuading for. I know
Greasers-I know a Yaqui I'd rather
give Nell to than your son."
Radford Chase began to roar in mar
ticulate rage. Belding paid. no. atten-
.tion to him; indeed, he never glanced
at the young man. The elder Chase
checked violent start.
my sons offer Of marriage Is an
honor-more an honor, sir, than you
perhaps are aware Of" Il:
Belding made no reply. He waited
coldly, sure of himself. " -;
'eMrs. Belongs daughter has no
right to the name of Burton" snapped
Chase. "Did you know that?' =
81 did not" replied Bedding, quietly.
''Well, you know. it now," added
Chase, bitingly.
"Sure you can prove what you say?'
queried Bedding, in the same cool, un-
emotional tone. It struck him strange
ly at the moment what little knowledge
this man had Of the West and Of west
ern character. +
''Prove it? Why, yes, 1 think so,
enough to make the truth plain to any
reasonable man. I come from Peoria
was born and raised there. went
to school with Nell Warren. That was
your wife's maiden name. She was a
beautiful gay girl. I knew Bob Burton
we'll. He was a splendid fellow, but
wild. Nobody ever knew for sure, but
we all supposed he was engaged to
marry Nell. He left Peoria, however,
and soon after that the truth about
Nell came out. She ran away. 1t was
at least q couple of months before Bur-
ton showed up In Peoria. He did not
stay long. Then for years nothing was
heard of either of them. When word
did come Nell was in Oklahoma, Bur-
ton was in Denver. There's chance,
of course, that Burton followed Nell
and married her. That would account
for Nell Warren taking the, name Of
Burton. But it isn't likely. None Of us
ever heard Of such a, thing and
wouldn't have believed it if we had.
In a moment of amazement-when !
recognized your wife as an old school
mate-I blurted the thing out to Rad
ford. You see now how little it mat
ters to me, when ask your stepdaugh.
ter's hand in marriage for my son."
Belding stood listening. The genuine
emotion in Chase's voice was as strong
as the ring Of truth: Belding knew
truth when he heard it,.
$50 you told my. wife you'd respect
her secret-keepeher dishonor from her
husband and. daughter" demanded
Bedding, his dark gaze Sweeping back
from the laneEtgzC goooGQ ts3 Hs-tn
"What! I-z1fzz--t''' stammered Chase,
you made your son swear to be q
man and die before ne d hint the thing
to Nell?" vent oni Bedding, and his
voice rang louder. lie AZ
Ben Chase had no answer. The red
left his face. His son skunk back
against the fence.
Il say you never held this secret
over the heads Of my wife and hel
daughter?', thundered Belding.
He had his answer in the gray faces
in the lips that fear made mute. Like
a flash Belding saw the whole truth OF
Mrs. Belongs agony, the reason fol
her departure; he saw what had beer