The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-12-06
itcont,nu.n from la., l..u.,

: Bedding could not reply to that, but
hope revived in him. He had faith
. in his wife, though he could not in
the least understand what he imag-
ined was something mystic in her.
years ago when; was searching
/. for my father + learned many things
about this country" said Mrs. Beld-
Ning. "You can never tell how long
man may live In the desert. The
fiercest, most terrible and inaccessible
places often have their hidden oasis.
In his later years my father became
a prospector. That was strange to
me, for he never cared for gold or
money. learned that he was, often
gone in the desert for weeks, once for
months. Then the time came when
he never came back. That was years
before reached the southwest border
and heard Of him. Even then did
not for long give up hope of his COM
ing back. know now-something
tells me--indeed, it seems his spirit
tells me-he was lost. But I don't
have that feeling for Yaqui. and his
party. ~ Yaqui has given Rojass the
slip orr has ambushed him in some
trap. Probably that took time and a.
long journey into Sonora. The Indian
is too wise to start back now over
dry trails. He'll curb the rangers !;
he'll wait. i seem to know this, dear
Nell, so be brave, patient. Dick Gale
will come back to YOU" - ,.5.4.H :.
= That talk with the strong mother.
worked change In Nell and in Beld-
ing. Nell, who had done little but
brood and watch the west and take
violent rides. seemed to settle into a
waiting patience that was sad, Yet
serene. Belding, who had been break
ing under the strain of worry, recov-
cred himself so that to outward ap-
pearance he was his old self. He
alone knew, however, that his humor
was forced, and that the slow burning
wrath he felt for the Chases was fam
ing into hate. - ~. "E%.. f'
Bedding argued with himself that If
Ben Chase and hts son, Radford, had
turned out to be big men in other
ways than in the power to carry on
great enterprises he might have be-
come reconciled to them. But the
father was greedy, grasping, hard,
cold the son added to those traits an
overbearing disposition to rule, and he
showed fondness for drink and
cards. These men were developing
the valley, to be sure, and horde of
poor Mexicans and many Americans
were benefiting from that develop
ment; nevertheless, these Chases were
operating in way which proved they
cared only for themselves.
Bedding went to Casita with a num-
Der of his white ,noroughbreds and
shipped them to ranchers and horse
breeders in Texas. Then, being near
the railroad, and having time he went
up to Tucson. There he learned some
interesting particulars about the
Chases. They had an Office in the
city; influential friends in the cap
itol. They were powerful men in the
rapidly growing finance of the West.
They had interested the Southern Pa
cific railroad, and in the near, future
branch line was to be constructed
from San Felipe to Forlorn River.
These details Of the Chase develop
ment were insignificant when COM
pared to matter striking close home
to Bedding. His responsibility had
been subtly attacked. A doubt had
been cast upon his capability Of exc
cutting the duties of immigration in
spectOr to the best advantage Of the
state. Belding OWNED that this was
only an entering wedge. The Chasas
were bent upon driving him out of
Forlorn River; but. perhaps to serve
better their own ends, they were pro
ceeding at leisure. Belding returned
home consumed by rage. But he con-
trolled it. For the first time in his
| life he was afraid of himself. He had
his wife and Nell to think of; and the
old law Of the West had gone for
ever. ..
dad, there's another Rojas round
these diggings," was Nells remark,
! after the greetings were over and the
usual questions and answers passed.
Belongs exclamation was cut short
by. Nell's laugh. She was serious with
kind of amused contempt -
"Mr. Radford Chase!" a..
| ''tNow Nell, what the" roared Beld.
ing. =. ~, ~ +
Hush, Dad! Don't swear" inter
| rupted Nell. II only meant to tease
| YOU" "--',.-f==a; .,s..,-.r' - - 81. .~
Z '"Nell, you may as well tell him and
have it over" said Mrs. Belding,
quietly. y., b.s-t. ....
"Well, IL you weren't such a good
old blind dad you'd have seen long
ago the way Mr.. Radford Chase ran
| round after me. At first it was only
annoying, and I did not want to add
to your worries. Brit these two weeks
| you've been gore I'VE been more than
annoyed. After that time struck Mr.
Chase with my quirt he made all pos.
sible efforts to meet me. He did meet
me wherever. I went He sent me let: