The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-05-25

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dad. you promised
"Confound Il Nell. I promised not
to pack "a gun. That's all. I'm only
shoe this fellow OF the plasG gently.
mind you. gently. I'll leave the rest
for Dick Galei"
April grew apace, and soon gave
way to May. One morning Belding
was called from some garden work by
the whirring Of an automobile and a
"Holloai" He saw an elderly. sallow-
faced, rather frailappearing man who
was an entire stranger to him hand.
some ,dark-eyed woman whose hair
showed white through her veil and a
superbly built girl, whose face made
Bedding at once think of Dick Gale.
"Is this Mr.. Tom Belding, inspector
Of immigration" inquired the gentle
man. courteously. ~
"Pm Bedding, and know who you
are" replied Belding In hearty amaze,
as he stretched for his big hand.
you're Dick Gales dad-the COVER
nor, Dick used to say. I'm sure glad
to meet you."
"Thank you. Yes, I'm Dicks gov
ernor, and here, Mr.. Belding-Dlck's
mother and his sister Elsie"
Beaming his pleasure, Beldlng shook
hands with the ladies'. who showed
their agitation clearly.
"Air. Belding, I've come west TO
look up my lost son." said Mr. Gale.
Ellis sisters letters were unanswered.
We haven't heard from him In months.
Is he still here with you?"
"Well, now, sure LIN awful sorry"
began Bedding, his slow mind at work.
Dicks away Just now-been away for
considerable spell. I'm expecting
him back any day. -.-. Won't you
come in7 You're all dusty and hot aud
tired. Come In, and let mother and
Nell make you comfortable. OF course
you'll stay. We've big house You
must stay till Dick comes back. Maybe
thatIl be- Aw, guess 1t won't be
long. :. {. +. Let me handle the bag
gage, Mr.. Gale. /. Come In. sure
am glad to meet you ALL"
= Eager, excited, delighted. d. Belding
went on talking as he, ushered the
Gales into the sitting-room, presenting
them In his hearty way to the as
founded Mrs. Bedding and Nell. For
the space Of few moments his wife
and daughter were bewildered When
the Gales had been shown to rooms,
Mrs. Belding gained the poise momen-
tarily lost; but Nell came rushing
back. wilder than a deer, In state Of
excitement strange even for her.
"Ohl Dicks mother, his sister !"
whispered Nell. "Oh. knew It'll I
always guessed itl Dicks people are
proud, rich; they're somebody.
thought I'd faint when she looked at
me. She was Just curlous-curious,
but so cold and proud. She was Won
derlng about me. Dick has never
written her that he's--he's engaged to
me. I'm wearing hts ring. II was his
| mothers, he said. I won't--I can't
take II or. And I'm scared.
But the ,sister-oh, she's lovely and
sweet-proud, too. felt warm all
over when she looked at me. IL
wanted to kiss. her. she looks like
Dick when he first came to us. But
he's changed They'll hardly recog.
nize him. To think they've
come! And l had to be looking a
fright, when of all times on earth I'd
want to look my best"
Nell, out Of breath, ran away evil
dently to make herself presentable.
according to her Idea of the exigency
Of the case. Bedding caught a glimpse
Of his swife's face as she went out,
and 1t wore sad, strange, anxious ex-
preston.
Presently the Gales came back into
the sitting-room, looking very differ
ent without the long gray cloaks and
wells. Bedding saw distinction and
elegance. Mr.. Gale seemed grave,
troubled, kindly person, Ill In body
and mind. Belding received the same
impression Of power that Ben Chase
had given him, only here 1t was minus
any hardness or hard quality. He
gathered that Mr.. Gale was a man Of
authority. Mrs. Gale rather fright
ehed Beldipg, but he could not have
told why. The girl was just like Dick
as he used to be.
Belding imagined the sooner the
Gales were told that Dick was to
marry Nell the better for all con-
cerned, and especially for Nell. In
the general conversation that ensued
he sought for an opening In which to
tell this important news, but he was
kept so busy answering questions
about his position on the border, the
kind of place Forlorn River was, the
reason for so many tents, etc., that he
was unable to find opportunity.
TITS interesting, very interesting"
said Mr.. Gale AT another time
want to learn all you1l tell me about
the West. It's new to me. I'm sur
prised, amazed, sir, may say. :.
But, Mr.. Bedding, what I want to know
most is about my son. I'm broken in
health. I've worried myself iii over
him. ! don't mind telling you. sir, that
we quarreled. He went away. And
I've come to see didn't know Rich
ard. / was wrong to upbrald him.
For year we've known nothing Of his
doings, and now for almost six months