, 1923-01-17

Dick was inclined to be rebellious
himself. Bedding had kept the rangers
In Off the line. and therefore Dick
had been Idle most of the time, and,
though he tried hard, he had been
unable to stay far from Nell's vicinity.
He believed she cared for him but
he could not catch her alone long
enough TO verify his tormenting hope.
He had long before enlisted the loyal
Mercedes In his caus but in spite of
this Nell had been more thar q match
for them both.
Gale pondered over an Idea he had
long revolved in mind, and which now
suddenly gave place to q decision that
made his heart swell and his cheek
burn. He went In search of Mrs. Bel
ding, and found her busy in the
Kitchen.
The relation between Gale and Mrs.
Bedding a subtly and Incompetent
sively changed. He understood her
less than when at first he OWNED an
antagonism in her. If such a thing
were possible she had retained the
a%ntagonism while seeming to yield to
some influence hat must have been
fondness for him. Gale had come to
care greatly for Nell's mother. Not
only was she the comfort and strength
of her home, but also of the inhabi-
tants of Forlorn River. Indian, Mexi-
can, American were all the same to
her in trouble or illness; and then she
was nurse, doctor, peacemaker, helper.
She was good and noble, and there was
not a child or grownup in Forlorn
River who did not love and bless her.
But Mrs. Bedding did not seem happy.
She seldom smiled, and never laughed.
There was always a soft, sad, hurt
look in her eyes. Gale often Won
dered If there had been other tragedy
in her life than the supposed loss of
her father in the desert.
Mrs. Bedding heard Dicks step as
he entered the kitchen, and, looking
NJ, greeted him.
Mother" began Dick, earnestly.
Bedding called her that, and so did
Ladd and Lash, but 1t was the first
time for Dick. "Mother-I want to
speak to you"
The only Indication Mrs. Bedding
gave of being startled was in her
eyes, which darkened, Swallowed with
multiplying thought.
II love Nell" yer On Dick. simply.
"and l wan you to let me ask her
to be my wife,"
Mrs. Belongs face blanched to a
deathly white. Gale, thinking with
surprise and concern that she was
going to faint, moved quickly toward
her. took her arm.
Forgive me. 1 was blunt. :.
But l thought you knew"
"Tve known for a long time,' replied
Mrs. Bedding. Her voice was steady.
and there was no evidence of agfta-
ton except in her paller. "Then YOU
you haven't spoken to Nell?"
Dick laughed. i've been trying to
get a chance to tell her. 1 haven't
had 1t yet. But she knows. / hope,
me-"
"Tve known that. too, for a Ions
time" said Mrs. Bedding, low almost
as a whisper.
"You know!" cried Dick, with a
glow and rush of feeling. Mother!
You'll give her to meY'
She drew him to the light and
looked with strange. piercing intent
ness into his face. Gale had never
dreamed a woman's eyes could hold
such a world of thought INT feeling.
1t seemed all the sweetness Of life
was there, and all the pain.
"Dick Gale, you want my Nell7 You
love her Just as she is-her sweet
ness-her goodness7 Just herself,
body and soul? . . There's moth
ing could change you-nothing?"
Dear Mrs. Bedding, / love Nell for
herself. II she loves me I'll be the
happiest of e There's absolutely
nothing that could make any differ
ence In me-"
But YOU peoplef Oh, Dick, you
come Of a proud family. / cnn tell.
You've become n ranger. You love
the adventure-the wild life. That
won't last. Perhaps you'll settle
down to ranching. I know you love
the West. But, Dick, there's POUR
family"
"If you want to know anything
about my family, I'll tell you," inter-
rupted Dick, with strong feeling. ave
no secrets about them or myself. Ny
future and happiness are Neil's to
make. No n else shall count with
me-"
"Then, Dick-you may hays her.
God-bless-you-both."
Mrs. Belongs strained face under
went a swift and mobile relaxation,
and suddenly she was weeping In
strangely mingled happiness and bit
terness.
"why. motheri" Gale could say no
more. He put his arm around her. In
another moment she had gained COM
mand owe herself, and. kissing him.
she pushed him out OF the door.
"Thcrel Go tell her. Dick.