Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-01-12
CHAPTER TX
An lnterruptcd siesta.

An Interrupted Siesta.
20 man ever had a more eloquent
and beautiful pleade- for his caus
than had Dick Gale in Mercedes Cas-
taneda. Nell lay in the hammock,
her hands behind her head, with rosy
cheeks and arch eyes. Indeed h
looked rebelllous.
Dick was inclined to be rebellious
himself. Bedding had kept the rangers
In off the line, and therefore DICK
had been idle most of the time, and,
though he tried hard, he had been
unable to stay far from NelPs vicinity.
He believed she cared for him ; but
he could not catch her alone long
enough to verify his tormenting nope.
He had long before enlisted the loyal
Mercedes In his cause; but in spite or
this Nell had been more than a matcn
for them both.
Gale pondered over an idea he had
long revolved in mind, and which now
suddenly gave place to a decision that
made his heart swell and his cheek
burn. He went in search of Mrs. Bel
ding, and found her busy in the
kitchen.
The relation between Gale and Mrs.
Bedding had subtly and Incompetent
sively changed. He understood her
less than when at first he OWNED an
antagonism in her. If such a thing
were possible she had retained the
a%ntagonism while seeming to yield to
some influence that must have been
fondness for him. Gale had come TO
care greatly for Nelrs mother. Not
only was she the comfort and strength
of her home, but also of the inhabi-
tants of Forlorn River. Indian, Mexl-
can, American were all the same to
her In trouble or illness; and then she
was nurse, doctor, peacemaker, helper.
She was good and noble, and there was
not a child or grownup in Forlorn
River who did not love and bless her.
But Mrs. Bedding did not seem happy.
She seldom smiled, dnd never laughed.
There was always a soft, sad, hurt
look in her eyes. Gale often won
dered If there had been other tragedy
in her life than the supposed loss OF
her father In the desert.
Mrs. Bedding heard Dicks step as
he entered the kitchen, and, looking
up, greeted him.
Mother began Dick, earnestly.
Bedding called her that, and so did
Laid and Lash, but it was the first
time for Dick. "Mother-1 want to
speak to you"
The only indication Mrs. Bedding
gave of being startled was in heI
eyes, which d%arkened, Swallowed with
multiplying thought.
81 love Nell" went on Dick, simply
"and l want you to let me ask hel
to be my wife,"
Mrs. Belongs face blanched to {
deathly white. Gale, thinking witt
surprise and concern that she wal
going to faint, moved quickly toward
her, took her arm.
Forgive me. / was blunt. .
But l thought you knew"
"Tve known for a long time" replied
Mrs. Belding. Her voice was steady
and there was no evidence of agita
ton except in her pallor. Then you
you haven't spoken to Nell?'
Dick laughed. 1--WE been trying t.
get a chance to tell her. l haven
had it yet. But she knows. l hope
l almost believe Nell cares a little fol
me-"
1--WE known that, too, for a Ions
time" said Mrs. Bedding, low almos
as a whisper.
"You knowl' cried Dick, with {
glow and rush of feeling. Mother
You'll give her to meT'
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 hole
such a world of thought and feeling
1t seemed all the sweetness Of life
was there, and all the pain.
'Dick Gale, you want my Nell? Yor
love her just as she is-her sweet
ness-her goodness? Just herself
body and soul? There's moth
ing could change you-nothing?"
Dear Mrs. Bedding, l love Nell fol
herself. If she loves me I'll be the
happiest Of men. There's absolutely
nothing that could make any differ
enc in me-"