, 1922-12-27

q been transmitted to the daugh-
ter. Dick believed Mrs. Belongs
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.
Toward evening Gale heard the
tramp of horses and Belongs hearty
voice. Presently the rancher strobe
in upon Gale. shaking the gray dust
from his broad shoulders and waving
a letter.
Hello, Dicki Good news and
bad he said, putting the letter in
Dicks hand. Had no trouble finding
your friend Thorne. Looked like he'd
been drunk for a week. Say, he
nearly threw a fit. I never saw a fell
low so wild with joy. He made sure
you and Mercedes were lost In the
desert. He wrote two letters, which
place these days. 1 tried to get your
baggage, and think 1 made a mistake.
We're going to see travel toward
Forlorn River. The federal garrison
got re-enfOrcements from somewhere,
and is holding out"
do you think we'll have trouble
here?" asked Dick. excitedly.
"Sure. Some kind of trouble
ooner or later" replied Bedding,
gloomily. Anyway, my boy, as soon
as you can hold a bride and a gun
you'll be on the job, don't mistake
me-"
with Laddy and Jim?" asked
Dick, trying to be cool.
Sure. With them and me, and by
yourself
Dick drew a deep breath, and ever
after Bedding had departed he forgot
for a moment about the letter in his
hand. Then he unfolded the paper
and read:
Dear Dick-You've more than saved
my life. To the end of my lays you'll
be the one man to whom 1 owe every
thing. Words fail to express my feelings.
This must be a brief note. Belding is
waiting, and 1 used up most of the time
writing to Mercedes.
I'm leaving Mercedes in your charge,
subject. of course. to advice from Belding.
Take care of her. Dick, for my life is
wrapped up in her. BY all means keep
her from being seen by Mexicans. We
are sitting tight h~ere-nothing doing.
"If things quiet down before my COM
mission expires. I'll get cave OF absence.
run out to Forlorn River. marry my
beautiful Spanish princess, and take her
to a civilized country, where. l opine,
every son of a gun who sees her VIII lose
his head. and drive me mad. Dick. harken
to these glad words: Rojas is in the hos
pital. l was interested to inquire. He
had a smashed finger. a dislocated collar
bone, three broken ribs. and a fearful
cash on his face. He'll be in the hospital
for a month. Dick. when I meet that pig
headed dad of yours I'm going to give
him the surprise of his life.
Send me n line whenever any one
comes in from f. r., and inclose Mer-
cedes' letter in yours. Take care Of her.
Dick. and may the future hold In store
for you some of the sweetness know
now! Faithfully yours,
"THoRNE."
While Dick was eating his supper.
with appetite rapidly returning to nor.
nal, Ladd and Jim came in, Their
friendly advances were singulariy
welcome to Gale, but he was still
backward. He allowed himself TO
show that he was glad to see them,
and he listened. 1t took no keen. Judge
of human nature to see that horses
constituted Ladd's ruling passion.
"Shore It's a cinch Beldin' is opoin,
to lose some of them animals of his"
he said. you can search me If / don't
think therell be more dom on the bor-
der mere than along the Rio Grande."
"L~ook-a-here, Laddy; you CANT be-
ueve all you hear" replied Jim. seri-
ously. 9" reckon we mightn't have
any trouble"
Back up, Jim. Shore you're stand
In on your bride. There's more dom
than the raidin' of a few bosses. An
Foriorn River is goin' to get hersl"
Another dawn found Gale so much
recovered that he arose and looked
after himself; not, however, without
considerable difficulty and rather dis
h~eartening twinges Of pain.
Some time during the morning he
heard the girls in the patio and called
to ask II he might join them. He re-
ceived one response, a mellow, .Si,
senor." 1t was not as much as he
wanted, but considering that II was
enough he went out. In the shade of
q Deoueiiui Tree ne Ound the girls,
Mercedes sitting in q hammock, Nell
upon a blanket.
what a beautiful treelr he ex-
claimed. II never saw one like that.
What is it7"
"Palo verde.p replied Nell.
"Senor, palo ysrde means green
tree" added Mercedes.
Little by little Dick learned details
OF NelPs varied life. She had lived
In many places. AS a child she re-
membered Lawrence. Kansas, where
she studied for several years. Then
she moved to Saltwater, Oklahoma.
from there to Austin, Texas, and on to
Waco, where her mother met and mar
ried Bedding. They, lived In New
Mexico awhile, In Tucson, Arizona. I'm