St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-25


No, can't with this crippled hand"
'"That'll be all right, Gale" said
Bedding. "Nell will write for you.
She writes all my letters
So Bedding arranged 1t; 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 1t to dictate
any kind Of creditable letter. Nell
met his gaze once, then no more
Bedding was talking over the risks in
volved in trip to Casita
"rll tell you, boys, Ill 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 60 to the p. O.
In a month"
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
TITS no trouble, I'm sure-Id be
pleased she replied.
That was altogether 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.
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 wave of red recede from her
face. She gave him one swift gaze,
unconscious, searching, then averted
/ 1v,1 %,rrr n1 hn 1Nfk tho
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.
It dawned upon him that for the brief
instant when Nell had met Ills gaze
she had lost her shyness. It was
woman's questioning eyes that had
pierced through him.
Next day Dick believed he was well
enough to leave his room: bnt Mrs
Bedding would not permit him to, do
so. She was kind, soft handed, moth
erly, and she was always coming in
to minister to his comfort; yet Gale
felt that the friendliness so manifest
in tile others of the household did not
extend to her. He was conscious OF
something that little thought per-
suaded him was antagOnism. 1t sur
prised and hurt dim. He reflected
that there might come time when
it would be desirable, far beyond any
ground Of everyday friendly kindH-
ness, to have Mrs. Bedding be well
disposed toward him. SO he thought
about her and pondered how to make
her like him. 1t did not take very
long for Dick to discover that he
liked her. Her face, except when she
smiled, was thoughtful and sad. But
1t seemed too strong, too intense, too
nobly lined. 1t was face to make
one serious. Like haunting shadow,
like a phantom Of happier years, the
sweetness Of Nell's face was there.
and infinitely more Of beauty than
had been transmitted to the daugh-
ter. Dick believed Mrs. Belongs
friendship and motherly love were
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
letter.
Hello. Dick! Good news and
bad!" he said, putting the letter in
Dicks hand. Had no trouble finding
your friend Thorne. Looked like he'd
been drunk for a week Say, he
nearly threw fit. I never saw fel-
low so wild with Joy. He made sure
you and Mercedes were lost In the
desert. He wrote two letters, which
/ brought. Casita is one hi Of q
place these days. I tried to get your
baggage, and think made a mistake.
We're going to see travel toward
Forlorn River The federal garrison
got re-enforcements from somewhere,
and is holding OUT
"Do you think we'll have trouble
here?" asked Dick. excitedly.
"Sure. Some kind Of trouble
sooner or later" replied Bedding,
gloomily. Anyway, my boy, as soon
as you can hold bride and gun
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