The Lamar register., 1923-03-14

Chop that kind of talk to me. you
rupted Bedding. He had always been
prOfane, and now he certainly did not
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 Beldlng
81 want To make last effort 10 pro-
pitiate you" began Chase. in his quick.
smooth voice. That was II singular
change 10 Belding-the dropping in
stantly into an easy flow Of speech.
you've had losses here. and naturally
you're sore. | 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
] want to run that main ditch along
the river, through your farm. Can't
We make n dcnlf I'm ready tn he lih.
crni-to meet you more than halfway.
I'll give you an interest in the com.
pany think I've influence enough up
nj the capitol to have you reinstated rs
inspector. little reasonableness on
your part will put you right again In
Forlorn River, with q chance Of grow
ing rich. There's big future here.
e. My interest. Belding, has become
personal. Radford is in love with your
stepdaughter. He wants to marry her.
Iat L.. k,e
ness, but in a family way. II my sons
happiness depends upon having this
girl, you may rest assured I'll do all
can to get her for him. III absolutely
make good all your losses. Now what
do you sayr'
NO" replied Belding. ''Your money
can't buy q right OF way across my
ranch. And Nell doesn't want your
son. That settles that"
But you could persuade her.
Il won't. that's ALL"
MAY ask whyT" Chase's voice
was losing Its suave quality, but It
was even swlfter than before.
"Sure. l don't mind your asking"
replied Belding, In slow deliberation-
81 wouldn't do such a low-down trick.
Besides, II would, I'd want II TO be Q
man I was persusding for. I know
Greasers-I know a YaQui I'd rather
give Nell to than your SON"
Radford Chase began to roar In mar
tlculate rage. Beldlng paid no stten.
tlon to him; indeed. he never glanced
at the young man. The elder Chase
checked violent start.
my sons offer of marriage 10 an
honor-mOre an honor, sir, than you
perhaps are aware Of"
Belding made no reply. He waited
coldly, sure of himself
"Mrs. Belding's daughter has no
right to the name OF Burton" snapped
Chase. "Dld you know thatr'
II did not" replied Belding. quietly.
well. you know IL now" added
Chase. bitingly.
Sure you can prove what you sayf"
queried Bedding. In the same cool, un-
emotional tone. II struck him strange
ly at the moment what little know ledge
this man had Of the West and Of west.
ern character.
prove IL? Why. yes. think so,
enough to make the truth plain to any
reasonable man. | come from Peoria
WIS born and raised there. ! went
to school with Nell Warren. That was
your wife's maiden name. She was n
beautiful. gay girl. | knew Bob Burton
well. He was 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. II as
AT least 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
Of course, that Burton followed Nell
and married her That would account
for Nell Warren taking the name "f
Burton. But It Isn't likely. None OF US
ever heard of such thing and
wouldn't have believed II II we had.
la a moment Of amnzement-when ]
recognized your wife as an old school
mate-I blurted the thing out to Rad.
ford You see now how little II mat
tiers TO me. when ask your stepdaugh.
ier's hand in marriage for my son"
BeldIng stood listening. The genuine
emotion in Chase's voice was as strong
as the ring of truth. Belding knew
truth when he heard II.
"Sn Won told nv wife yond respect