The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-12-04
Continued from Last issus)
CHAPTER XIII
Changes at ForIorn River.

Changes at ForIorn River.
The first of March saw the federal
occupation of the garrison at Casita.
After short, decisive engagement
the rebels were dispersed into small
bands and driven eastward along the
boundary line toward Nogales. ~
1t was the destiny Of Forlorn River,
however, never to return to the slow,
sleepy tenor of its former existence.
Belongs predictions came true. That
struggling line of home-seekers was
but forerunner of the real invasion
of Altar valley. Refugees from Mex.
leo and from Casita spread the word
that water and wood and grass and
land were to be had at Forlorn River
and as if by magic the white tents and
red adobe houses sprang up to glisten
in the sun.
Belding was happier than he had
been for q long time. He believed
that evil days for Forlorn River.
along with the apathy and lack of
enterprise, were in the past. He hired
n couple of trustworthy Mexicans to
ride the boundary line, and he settled
down to think of ranching and irriga-
tion and mining projects. Every morn
ing he expected to receive some word
from Sonoyta or Yuma. telling him
that Yaqui had guided his party safe
ly across the desert.
Among the many changes coming to
pass in FOrlorn River were the INSTALL
ing of post office service and the
building of n mescal drinking-house.
Bedding had worked hard for the post
Office but lie did net like the idea Of
q saloon for Forlorn River. Still.
that was an Inevitable evil. The Mex
leans would have mescal. A good
many Americans drifted into Forlorn
River-miners, cowboys, prospectors.
outlaws. and others Of nondescript
character; and the ese men. of course.
made the saloon. which was also an
inn, their headquarters. Belding. with
Carter and other old residents. saw
the need of a sheriff for Forlorn
River.
One morning early in this spring
month, while Belding was on his way
from the house to the corrals. he saw
Nell running Blanco Jose down the
road at gait that amazed him. She
did not take the turn Of the road to
come in by the gate. She put Jose at
q four-foot wire fence, and came
Gathering into the yard.
II did mt fol-o yno,o <hon hole
eye for Belding to see that she was
furious.
"Nell. what's come off now" asked
Bedding.
"1'm not going to tell you," she re-
piled, and started away, leading Jose
toward the corral.
Bedding leisurely followed. She
went into the corral. removed Jose's
bride. and led him to the watering
trough. Bedding came up, and with
out saying anything began to unbuckle
Jose's saddle girths. But he ventured
a look at Nell. The red had gone from
her face, and he was surprised TO see
her eyes brtmming with tears. Most
assuredly this was not one Of Nells
tantrums. While taking off Jose's
saddle end hanging 1t in the shed
Belding pondered in his Slow way.
When he came back to the corral Nell
had her face against the bars and
she was crying. He slipped big arm
around her and waited. -..H..
dad. don't want you to think me
Ia baby any more" she said. ::rve
been insulted.''
With specific fact to make clear
thought in Belongs mind he was
never slow.
II knew something unusual had
come off. I guess you'd better tell
me-"
dad. I Will, If you promise"
"What?" J
mot to mention it to mother. not
% pack u gun down there, and never.
never tell Dick" !. ,%!s@ ~.
Belding was silent. Seldom did he
make promises readily, ..t.ss5 .,+ :,
If you don't promise, Pll never tell.
hats iall,". she declared, firmly. S
. Belsling denberated ii little longer
lie knew the girl. X
We'll. promise not to tell moth
r." he said, presently; land seeing
'ou're here safe and well I guess I
won't go packing a gun down there,
wherever that is. But won't promise
o keep anything from I'tck that per-
laps he ought to know - -
rlell, regaining her com posure, wiped
lf.r eyes and smoothed ack her hair.
! ''The other day, Wed nesday," she
tegan, II was coming lone, and in
front of that mescal drinking place
there was a crowd. It was a noisy
crowd. didn't want to walk out into
the street or seem afraid. But had
% do both. There were several young
men. and if they weren't drunk they