Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-02-16

choose his language. Chase turned
livid, gasped, and seemed about to give
way to fury. But something about Beld-
ing evidently exerted a powerful quiet
Ing influence. IF you talk sense I'll
~listen," went on Bedding.
II want to make a last effort to pro-
'pitiate you," began Chase, in his quick,
smooth voice. That was a singular
change to Belding-the dropping in
.Etantly into an easy flow of speech.
"You've had losses here, and naturally
you're sore. 1 don't blame you. But
you can't see this thing from my side
of the fence. Business is business. In
business the best man wins. The law
upheld those transactions of mine the
honesty of which you questioned. Now
I want to rpn that main ditch along
the river, through your farm. Can't
we make a deal? I'm ready to be lib
Eeral-to meet you more than halfway.
I'M give you m interest in the COM
,pany. 1 think I've influence enough I'D
lat the capitol to have you reinstated as
Inspector. A little reas~onablen1ss OF
your part will put you right agsii in
ForlOrn River, with a chance Of grow
ing rich. There's a big future here.
-. My interest, Bedding, has become
personal. Radford is in love with your
~stepdaughter. He wants to marry her.
Now let's get together not only in bnsi-
ness, but in a family way. If my sons
happiness depends upon having this
girl, you may rest assured I'll do all
can to get her for him. I'll absolutely
make good all your losses. Now wnat
do you say?"
NO. replied Bedding. "Your money
can't buy a right of way across my
ranch. And Nell doesn't want your
son. That settles that"
But you could persuade her."
81 won't, that's all"
MAY l ask why?' Chase's voice
was losing its a quality, but 1t
was even swifter than before.
"Sure. 1 don't mind your asking"
replied Bedding, in slow elaboration.
81 wouldn't do such a low-down trick.
Besides, if 1 would, I'd want it to be a
man 1 was %persuading for. 1 know
sGreasers-I know a Yaqui I'd rather
give Nell to than your son."
Radford Chase began to roar in mar
~ticulate rage. Bedding paid no atten-
ton to him; indeed, he never glanced
at the young man. The elder Chase
checked a violent start.
"My sons offer of marriage is an
honor-more an honor, sir, than you
perhaps are aware Of"
Bedding made no reply. He waited
.coldly, sure of himself.
Mrs. Belongs daughter has no
right to the name of Burton" snapped
Chase. "Did you know that?"
Il did not" replied Bedding, quietly.
"Well, you know it now" added
Chase, bitingly.
"Sure you can prove what you say?'
queried Bedding, in the same cool, I'M
emotional tone. 1t struck him strange
ly at the moment what little knowledge
this man had of the West and of west.
aern character.
prove it? Why, yes, I think so,
enough to make the truth plain to any
reasonable man.. / come from Peoria
was born and raised there. l went
to school with Nell Warren. That was
your wife's maiden name. She was a
beautiful, gay girl. l knew Bob Burton
well. He was a splendid fellow, but
wild. Nobody ever knew for sure. but
we all supposed he was engaged to
marry Nell. He left Peoria, however,
and soon after that the truth about
Nell came out. She ran away. 1t was
at least a couple of months before Bur
ton showed up in Peoria. He did not
stay long. Then for years nothing was
heard of either of them. When word
did come Nell was in Oklahoma, Bur-
ton was in Denver. There's a chance,
of course, that Burton followed Nell
and married her. That would account
for Nell Warren taking the name ot
Burton. But it isn't likely. None of us
ever heard of such a thing and
wouldn't have believed it if we had.
In a moment of amazement-when ]
recognized your wife as an old school
mate-I blurted the thing out to Rad
ford. You see now how little it mat
tiers to me, when I ask your stepdaugh
ter's hand in marriage for my son."
Bedding stood listening. The genuine
emotion in Chase's voice was as strong
as the ring Of truth. Belding( knew
truth when he heard it.
$50 you told my wife you'd respect
her secret-keep her dlshonor from he1
husband and ~daughter?" demanded
Bedding, his dark gaze sweeping back
from the lane.
"What! ~ stammered Chase.
"YOu made your son swear to be a
man and die before he'd hint the thing
to Nell?' went on Bedding, and his
voice rang louder.
Ben Chase had no answer. The rec
left his face. His son skunk back
against the fence.
81 say you never held this secret
over the heads of nv wife and hel