Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-11-21
SYNOPSIS

PROLOGUE.-Seek gold In the des-
ert Cameron" solitary prospector.
forms partnership with an unknown
man whom he later learns is Jonas War
ren, father of a girl whom Cameron
wronged, but later married, back in llli-
nois. Cameron's explanations sppease
Warren, and the two proceed together.
Taking refuge from a sandstorm in a
cave, Cameron discovers gold but too
late; both men are dying. Cameron leaves
evidence, in the cave, of their discovery
of gold, ard personal documents.
CHAPTER I.-Richard Gale adven-
turer, in Casita, Mexican border town,
meets George Thorne, lieutenant in the
tells Gale he is there to save Mercedes
Castaneda. Spanish girl. his affianced
wife, from Rojas, Mexican bandit.
Rojas and his gang, with the help OF
two American cowheys, and he, MERCEDES
and Thorne~ escape A bugle calefrom
the fort orders Thorne to his regiment.
He leaves Mercedes under Gales pro-
lection.
CHAPTER III.--The pair, aided by the
cowboys who had assisted Gale irht the
escapeo Charlie Ladd and Jim Lasl., ar
rive in safety at ranch known as For
lorn River. well across the border.
CHI PIER Iv.-The fugitives are at
Tom Belongs home. Belding IS imml-
grafton inspector. Living With him are
his wife and stepdaughter, Nell Burton.
Gale, with Ladd and Lash, take service
with 'Belding as rangers, Gale telling
Belding the cause of his being wanderer,
a misunderstanding with his father con-
corning the sons business abilities.
Dick greeted her, offering his left
hand, gravely apologizing for the fact
that, owing to a late infrmity, he
could not offer .the right. Her smile
exquiSitely combined sympathy, graft
tude, admiration. Then Dick spoke
to Nell, likewise offering his hand,
which she took shyly. Her reply was
a murmured, unintelllgible one; but
her eyes were glad, and the tint in
her cheeks threatened to rival the
hue Of the rose she carried.
Presently Dick remembered to
speak Of the matter Of getting news
to Thorne.
"Senor, may write to him? VIII
someone take a letter? 1
shall hear from him!" she said; and
her white hands emphasized her
words.
"Assuredly. 1 guess poor Thorne
is almost crazy. I'll write to him. E. &.
No, can't with this crippled hand"
"That'll be all right, Gale" said
Belding. "Nell will write for you.
She writes all my letters
So Belding arranged it; 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 dictation.
What with watching Nell and try
ing to catch her glance, and listening
to Belongs talk with the cowboys,
Dick was hard put to it to dictate
any kind of a creditable letter. Nell
met his gaze once, then no more.
Bedding was talking over the risks in-
volved in a trip to Casita.
"Ill tell you, boys, I'll ride in my
self with Carter. There's business
! can see to, and I'm curious to
know what the rebels are doing.
Gale, I'm going to Casita myself.
Ought to get back tomorrow some
tame. I'll be ready to start in an hour.
Have your letter ready. And say-if
YOU want to write home it's a chance.
Sometimes we don't go to the p. o..
in q month" .a.f ~.
He tramped out, followed by the
tall cowboys, and then Dick was en-
abled to bring his letter to close.
Mercedes came back, and her eyes
were shining. Dick, remembering
Belongs suggestion, decided to profit
by it.
MAY trouble you to write another
for me?" asked Dick, as he received
the letter from Nell.
"It's 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
81 look from under his hand at Nell.
If she had in the very least been drawn
to him But that was absurd-im-
possible!
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. 1t was indescribably sweet,
and provocative Of thoughts that he
believed were wild without warrant.
If dawned upon him that for the brief
Instant when Mel! had met his gaze
she had lost her shyness- 1t was a
woman's questioning eyes that had
pierced through him.
Next day Dick believed he was well
enough TO leave his room; but Mrs
peIdine Wo,lld not permit him TO DO