, 1922-12-20

ding. with twinkllng eyes.
why. yes; / met something white
and swift flying by" replied Dick.
THAT was Nell Burton, my girl
Stepdaughter, 1 should say" said Bel
ding. She's sure some whirlwind, as
Laddy calls her. Come, let's 90 in
and meet the wife"
In Mrs. Bedding, Gale found a WON
an of noble proportions and striking
appearance. Her hair was white. She
had a strong. serious. well-lined face
that bore haunting evidences of past
beauty. The gaze she gent upon him
was almost piercing in its intensity.
Her greeting, which seemed to Dick
rather slow In coming, was kind
though not cordial. Gales first
thought, after he had thanked these
good people for their hospitality, was
to inquire about Mercedes. Mrs. Bel
ding said the girl had suffered no
great hardship, other than mental, and
would very soon be rested and well.
Now. Gale" said Bedding, when his
wife had excused herself t. get sup
per, the boys, Jim and Laddy, TOLD
me about you and the mix-up at Ca
sta. I'll be glad to take care OF the
girl till it's safe for your soldier
friend to get her out of the country.
That won't be very soon don't mis-
take me. l don't want to seem
over-curious about you-Laddy has
Interested me in you-and straight
out I'd like TO know what you propose
to do now"
II haven't any plans,' replied Dick
and, taking the moment as propitious.
he decided to speak frankly concern
ing himself. II just drifted down
here. My home is in Chicago. When
left school some years ago-rm
twenty-five now-I went to work for
my father. He's-he has business in
terests there. 1 tried all kinds of In
side jobs. I couldn't please my IA
Their. To tell you frankly, Mr.. Bel
ding, 1 suppose l didn't much care"
What do you want to doT"
II want a mans job. I want to do
things with my hands. / want action.
l want to be outdoors"
Bedding nodded his head as II he
understood that, and he began to
speak again, cut something short, then
went on, hesitatingly:
"Gale-you could go home again
to the old man-it'd be all rightf"
"Mr. Bedding, there's nothing shady
in my past. The governor would be
glad to have me home. That's the
only consolation I've got. But I'm
not going. I'm broke. 1 won't be a
tramp. And it's up to me to do
something"
How'd you like to be a border
ranger?' asked Belding, laying a hand
on Dicks knee. Part of my job
here Is United States inspector of i'm
migration. I've got that boundary
isue to patroi-to keep out Chinks
and Japs. You'll not be hired by the
q. S. You'll simply be my ranger,
same as Laddy n Jim, who have
promised to work for me. I'll pay
you we'll, give you a room here, fur
nish everything down to guns, and the
finest horse you ever saw in your life,
Your job won't be safe and healthy,
sometimes, but It'll be a mans job
don't mistake me! You can gamble
on having things to do outdoors. Now,
what do you sayT
Il accept, and l thank you'll can't
say how much" replied Gale, ear
nestly.
Good! That's settled. Let's go
out and tell lady and jim"
Both boys expressed satisfaction
at the turn of affairs, and then with
Bedding they set out to take Gale
around the ranch. The wide grounds
were covered with luxuriant grass
and flowers and different kinds of
trees.
Bedding explained that the luxuri-
ance of this desert place was owing
to a few springs and the dammed-up
waters of the Rio Forlorn.