The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-11-04

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 Thurne.
"Sen"r. may I write to him? VIII
someone take n letter? =.
shall hear from him. she said; and
her white hands emphasized her
words.
"Assuredly I guess poor Thorne
Is almost crazy. I'll write to him.
No. | cant with this crippled hant.''
." "That'Il be all right. Gale" said
Bedding. Nell will write for you.
She writes all my letters
SO Bedding 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. w.
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.
Relding was talking over the risks in
vOlved In Il trip to Casita.
It'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. I'm going to Casita myself.
Ought to get back tomorrow some
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 trulnped out. followed by the
tall cowboys. and then Dick was ell
abled to bring his letter to a clUse.
Mercedes came back, and her : eyes
were shining. Dick, remembering
Be!ding's suggestion decided to profit
by it.
May I~troube you to write another
for me:" asked Dick, rs he received
tlF letter from Nell. J.? < ~. L
"'It's no trouble, I'm sure-1'd 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
q look from under his hand at Nell
II she had i'm the vely least been drawn
to him But that was absurtl-im-
possible!
When Dick finished debating, his
eyes We're upon Mercedes, who sat
SIpilingly curious and sympathetic.
How responsive she was. He looked
ut Nell. Presently she rose, holding
out his letter He was just in time
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 in:'escribably sweet,
and provocative st thoughts that he
believed were wild without warrant.
1t ,lawned upon him that for the brief
instant when Neil had met his gaze
she had lost her shyness. 1t was n
woman's questioning eyes that had
pierced through him.
Next day Dick believed he was we'll
enough to leave his room; but Mrs.
Re'ding would not permit him to do
so. She wus kind, suft.handed, moth
erly. and she WAS always coming In
to minister to his comfort; yet Gale
felt that the friendliness so manifest
IN the others of the household did not
extend TO her. He was conscious Of
something that little thought per-
suaded him was antagonism. 1t sur
prtSed and hurt him. He reflected
that there might come Il time when
1t would be desirable, far beyond any
ground Of everyday friendly kindli-
ness, TO have Mrs. Bedding be- well
disposed toward him. SO he Thought
about her. aud pondered how to make
her like him. 1t did not take very
e long for Dick to discover that lie
: liked her. HerJ faceeS eSteFt when shs
smiled. was; thNrghsful ana ,s;ut. But
1t seems.l tse stror!ga iQGI ietense ctsees'
noblsy linyI. i .Mas ., face TO m4rake lm4raPkl
one serious. Like y hauntlng Shadow,
like a phantom d. happier u Years. the
sweetness ,0t 'NeffsN faee t9aS sthefe,,
and infinitely more of beauty than
had been transmitted TO the daugh.
ter. Dick believed Mrs. Belongs
friendship and motherly love. We're
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. ~---~ =.