Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-06-02

"Forgiye me. 1 was blunt.
But l thought you knew"
ave known for a long time" replle'
Mrs. Bedding. Her voice was steady
and there was no evidence of agita
ton except In her pallor. ''Then you
you haven't spoken to Nell2"
Dick laughed. I've been trying t.
get a chance to tell her l haven
had 1t yet. But she knows. / hope
1 almost believe Nen cares little TO
me-"
ave known that, too, for lonl
time" said Mrs. Bedding, low almos
as a whisper.
"You known cried Dick, with {
glow and rush of feeling. "Mother
You'll give her to me?"
She drew him to the light ant
looked with strange, piercing intent
ness into his face. Gale had never
dreamed a woman's eyes could hold
such a world of thought and feeling
1t seemed all the sweetness of life
was there, and all the pain.
'Dlck Gale, you want my Nell? You
love her Just as she is-her sweet
ness-her goodness? Just herself
body and soul? There's moth
ing could change you-nothlng?"
Dear Mrs Bedding, love Nell fol
herself. If she loves me I'll be the
happiest of men. There's absolutely
nothing that could make any differ
ence in me-"
"But your people? Oh, Dick, you
come of a proud family. 1 can tell
You've become a ranger. You love
the adventure-the wild life That
won't last. Perhaps you'll settle
down to ranchlng. l know you love
the West. But, Dick, there's your
family"
IF you want to know anything
about my family, I'll tell you,' inter
rupted Dick, with strong feeling. "Tve
no secrets about them or myself. Ny
future and happiness are Nelrs to
make No one else shall count with
me-"
"Then, Dick-you may have 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, motherp Gale could say no
more He put his arm around her. In
another moment she had gained COM
mand over herself, and, kissing him,
she pushed him out of the door.
"Therel Go tell her. Dick. A..
And have some spunk about i'll"
Gale went thoughtfully back to his
room. Then remembering the hope
Mrs. Bedding had given him, Dick lost
his gravity in a fash, and something
began to dance and ring within him.
He simply could not keep his steps
turned from the patio Every path
led there. His blood was throbbing,
his hopes mounting, his spirit soaring
"Now for some spunk !" he said, I'M
der his breath.
Plainly he meant his merry whistle
and his buoyant step to interrupt this
first languorous stage Of the siesta
which the girls always took during
the hot hours. But neither girl heard
him. Mercedes lay under the palo
verde, her beautiful head dark and
still upon a cushion. Nell was asleep
in the hammock. Her sweet, red lips,
with the soft, perfect curve, had al
ways fascinated Dick, and now drew
him irresistibly. He had always been
consumed with a desire to kiss her,
and now he was overwhelmed with his
opportunity. 1t would be terrible
thing to do, but If she did not waken
at once No, he would fight the
temptation. That would be more than
spunk. 1t would She stirred-he
feared she would awaken.
He had dropped back erect when
she opened her eyes. They were sleepy,
yet surprised until she saw him.
Then she was wide awake in a second,
bewildered, uncertain.
"Why-you here?" she asked, slowly
Large as life! !" replied Dick, with
unusual gayety.
"How long have you been hereY
"Just got here this fraction of a sec
ond,' he replied, lying shamelessly.
81 thought was-dreaming," she
said, and evidently the sound Of her
voice treasured her.
"Yes. you looked as If you were
having pleasant Dreams" replied Dick.
$50 sorry to wake you. / can't see
how / came to do it, 1 was so qriet.
Mercedes didn't wake. Well, I'll 20
and let you have your siesta and
dreams"
But he did not move to go. Nell
regarded him with curious, specula-
tive eyes.
isn't 1t a lovely dayT queried Dick.
yesterday was finer, but you didn't
notice it,"
"Oh, yesterday was somewhere
back in the past-the inconsequential
past"
Nelrs sleepy eyes opened a little
- cbo 5fd not Lram WltQf 70