The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-12-14

nue. OF tne rose Sne carried.
Presently Dick remembered to
speak of the matter Of getting news
to Thorne
''Senor. may write to him? VIII
someone take a letter? L
shall hear from himl" she said; and
her white hands emphasized her
words.
is almost crazy. I'll write to him. i. :.
No, I can't with this crippled hand"
"That'll he all right. Gale" said
Bedding. "Nell will write for you.
She writes all my letters
So Bedding arranged 1t; and Merce-
des flew away to her room to write,
while Nell fetched pen and paper and
seated herself beside Gales bed to
take his dlctation.
What with watching Nell and try
ing to catch her glance, and listening
to Belongs talk with the cowboys,
Dick was hard put to 1t to dictate
any kind Of credltable letter. Nell
met his gaze once, then no more
Belding was talking over the risks in
volved in trip to Casita.
"I'll tell you. boys. I'll ride in my
self with Carter. There's business
I can see to. and I'm curious to
know what the rebels are doing.
Gale. Pm going to Casita myself.
time. I'll be ready to start in an hour.
Have your letter ready. And say-if
you want to write home it's chance.
Sometimes we don't go to the p. O..
In a MONTH"
He tramped out, followed by the
tall cowboys, and then Dick was en-
abled to bring his letter to a close
Mercedes came back. and her eyes
were shining. Dick, remembering
Belongs suggestion. decided to profit
by it.
MAY l trouble you to write another
for meT' asked Dick, as he received
the letter from Nell.
Its no trouble, I'm sure-Pd be
pleased" she replied.
That was altogether a wonderful
speech Of hers, Dick thought. because
the words were the first coherent
ones she had spoken to him.
He settled back and began.
Presently Gale paused, partly be-
cause Of genuine emotion. and stole
4 look from under his hand at Nell
II she had In the very least been drawn
to him But that was absurd-im-
possiblel hae 5g594 iift ~ l
When Dick finished debating. his
eyes were upon Mercedes. who. sat
smilingly curious and sympathetic.
How responsive she was! He looked
at Nell. Presently she rose. holding
out his letter. He was just in time
to see a wave Of red recede from her
face. She gave him one swift gaze,
unconscious, searching. then averted
It and turned away. She left the
room with Mercedes before he could
express his thanks.
But that strange speaking flash of
eyes remained to haunt and torment
Gale. II was indescribably sweet,
and provocative of thoughts that he
believed were wild without warrant.
It dawned upon him that for the brief
instant when Nell had met his gaze
she had lost her shyness. II was
woman's questioning eyes that had
pierced through him.
Next day Dick believed he was well
enough to leave his room; but MIRA
Belding would not permit him to do
30. She was kind, soft-handed, moth
erly, and she was always coming in
to minister to his comfort; yet Gale
felt that the friendllness SO manifest
In the others Of the household did not
extend to her. He was conscious Of
something that 4 little thought per-
suaded him was antsgonism. 1t sur
prised and hurt him. He reflected
that there might come q time when
It would be desirable, far beyond any
ground of everyday friendly kindh-
ness, to have Mrs. Belding be well
disposed toward him. So he thought
about her. and pondered how to make
her like him. 1t did not take very
long for Dick to discover that he
liked her. Her face, except when shs
smiled. was thoughtful and sad. But
It seemed too strong. too intense, too
nobIy lined. 1t was face to make
one serious. Like haunting shadow.
like q phantom Of happier years, the
sweetness Of Nell's face was there.
and Infinitely more Of beauty than
had been transmitted to the daugh-
ter. Dick believed Mrs. Belding's
friendship and motherly love were
worth much striving to win. entirely
aside from any more selfish motive.
He decided both would be hard to
get. ests
Toward evening Gale heard the
tramp OF horses and Belding's hearty
voice. Presently the rancher strobe
in upon Gale. shaking the gray dust
from his broad shoulders and waving
q letter.
"Hello. Dick Good news and
badi !" he said. putting the letter In