The Lamar register., 1923-01-31


This certainly was not the Nell Bur-
ton that Gale knew.
No, I'm not afraid" Gale replied.
a little nettled.
'Will you go-for my sake?" Like
lightning her mood changed and she
was close to him again, hands on his,
her face white. her whole presence
sweetly allurlng.
Nell. l won't dlsobey Belding" pro-
tested Gale. 81 won't break my
word"
Dick. lt'll not he so bad as that.
But-what If II is: Go. Dick,
If not for poor Mercedes sake. then
for mine-to please me. I1l-I'n E.
you won't lose anything by going. I
think | know how Mercedes feels. Just
word from Thorne or about him
would save her. Take Blanco Sol and
go, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever
ride you down on that horse? Why,
Dick, If | was up on Sol l wouldn't
be afraid OF the whole rebel army"
Gale could only stare at this trans
formed girl
"Dick. listen! II you go
II you fetch some word of Thorne to
comfort Mercedes. you-well, you will
have your reward. Dick, will you go."
"No-noi" cried Gale. In violence.
struggling with himself. Nell Bur-
ton. III tell you this. To have the
reward | want would mean pretty
near heaven for me. Bur not even
for that Will break my word to your
father
She seemed the incarnation Of girl
lsh scorn and willful passion.
"Gracias. senor." she replied. mock
ingly. "AdiOs" Then she flashed ont
of his sight
Gale went to his room at once, dis
turbed and thrilling. and did not soon
recover from that encounter.
The following morning at the break
fast table Nell was not present. She's
In one Of her tantrums lately" said
Belding. wouldn't speak to me this
morning. Let her alone. mother.
She's spoiled enough, without running
after her. Shes always hungry. She'll
be on hand presently. don't mistake
me-"
Notwithstanding Belongs convic-
tion. which Gale shared, Nell did not
appear at all during the hour. Per-
haps half an hour afterward. as Gale
was leaving his room, he saw the
Yaqui running up the path from the
fields. Gale wondered what was the
matter. Yaqui ran straight to Bel
ding who was at work at his bench
under the wagon shed. In less than
moment Belding was believing for
his rangers. Gale got to him first,
but Ladd and Lash were not far he
hind.
"Blanco sal gone," yelled Belding,
In rage.
"Raiders ~ exclaimed Jim Lash.
Lord only knows. YaquI says II
wasn't raiders"
send Yaqul to find the hoss' trail.
an let's figger." said Ladd. Shore
this s no raider job
In the swift search that ensued Gale
did not have anything to say; but his
mind was forming a conclusion. When
he found his old saddle and brldle
missing from the peg in the barn his
conclusion became positive convic-
tion and II made him. for the moment.
cold and sick and speechless.
Hey. Dick. don't take 1t so much to
heart" said Belding. Wen likely
find Sol, and II We don't. there's other
good horses"
I'm not thinking Of Sol" replied
Gale
Ladd east sharp glance at Gale.
snapped his fingers. and said:
"D-n me If amt guessed 1t toor
whats wrong with you locoed
gentsT" blunily demanded Bedding.
Nell has started for Casita." burst
out Gale. ''She has gone to fetch
Mercedes some word about Thorne.
oh, Beldlng. you needn't shake your
head. | know she's gone She tried
10 persuade me TO go, and was furious
when | wouldn't
II don't believe it, replied Beldins.
honrseiy. Nell NAV have her temper.
She's little devil al times. but she
always had good sense"
Tom. you can gamble she's gone"
said Ladd
"AW HI MOI lin what do you