Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-08-10
Page Three

dam, diverted Belongs mind to the
Chases. All at once he was In the
harsh grip of a cold certainty. The
blast had been set off Intentionally tc
ruin his spring. What a hellish trick
No westerner, no Indian or Mexican
no desert man could have been guilty
of such a crime. TO ruin beautiful
clear, cool, neyer-faillng stream OF
water in the desert
1t was then that Belongs worry
and indecision and broodIng were as
II they had never existed. He went
directly to his room. and with an air
that was now final he buckled on his
gun belt. He looked the gun over and
tried the action. He squared himself
and walked little more erect. Some
lOng-lost individuality had returned TO
Bedding.
Let's see" he was saying. 81 can
get Carter to send the horses I've got
left back to Waco to my brother. I'll
make Nell take what money there is
and go hunt up her mother. The
Gales are ready to go--today, If / say
the word. Nell can travel with them
part way East That's your game,
Tom Bedding, don't mistake me-"
AS he went out he encountered Mr..
Gale coming up the walk. The long
sojourn at Forlorn River. despite the
fact that 1t had been laden with sus-
pense which was gradually changing
TO sad certainty, had been of great
benefit TO Dicks father. The dry air,
the heat and the quiet had made him,
If not entirely well man, certainly
stronger than he had been in many
years
"Belding, what was that terrible
roar?" asked Mr. Gale 1--WE were
badly frightened until Miss Nell came
to us. We feared 1t was an earth
quake"
"Well, I'll tell you, Mr.. Gale; we've
had some quakes here, but none of
them could hold candle to this Jar
we just had"
Then Bedding explained what had
caused the explosion, and why II had
been set or so close to his property.
Heavy steps sounded outside on the
fiagstones, then the door ratified I'M
der strong knock. Bedding opened
1t, The Chases. father and son, stood
beyond the threshold.
Good morning, Belding," said the
elder Chase 1--WE were routed out
early by that big blast and came up
70 see what was wrong. All blunder.
The Greaser foreman was drunk yes
terday, and his ignorant men made a
mistake. Sorry II the blast bothered
you. was little worried-you've
always been so touchy-we never
could get together. hurried over
fearing maybe you might think the
blast-you see, Bedding"
81 see this, Mr.. Ben Chase" inter-
rupted Bedding, in curt and ringing
voice. "The blast was a mistake, the
biggest you ever made In your life"
what do you meanr demanded
Chase.
you'll have to excuse me for a
while, unless you're dead set on hav-
ing II out right now. Mr.. Gale and his
family are leaving, and my daughter
is going with them. I'd rather you'd
wait a little"
"Nell going away" exclaimed Rad
ford Chase. He reminded Bedding OF
an overgrown boy In disappointment.
"Yes. But-MIss Burton to you,
young man"
"Mr Bedding, / certainly would pre-
fer a conference with you right now"
lnterposed the elder Chase cutting
short Belongs strange speech. "There
are other matters-important matters
to discuss. They've got to be settled.
May we step in, sirT'
mo, you may not" replied Bedding,
bluntly. "rm sure particular who
invite into my house. But I'll go with
you"
Bedding stepped ont and closed the
door "Gome away from the house so
the women won't hear the-the talk"
The elder Chase was purple with
rage, yet seemed to be controlling IT.
The younger man looked black, sullen,
impatient. Ben Chase found his voice
about the time Bedding halted under
the trees out Of earshot from the
house.
"Sir you've insulted me-my son.
How dare your want you to under
stand that you're"
"Chop that kind Of talk to me, you
---w inter
-upted Belding He had always been
Drofane, and now he certainly did not
choose his language. Chase turned
ivid. gasped, and seemed about to giyeI
way to fury. But something about Beld-
ng evidently exerted a powerful quiet
ng influence. IF you talk sense I'll
isten," went on Bedding.
81 want to make a last effort to pro-
,itIate you" began Chase, in his quick.
mooth voice. That was a singular
hange to Belding-the dropping In
family into an easy flow Of speech
You've had losses here. and naturally
cure sore. / don't blame you. But