The Lamar register., 1923-02-28

rapidly growing nnHilce ot the West
They had Interested the Southern Pa.
cific railroad, and in the near future II
branch line was to be constructed
from San Felipe to Forlorn River
These details OF the Chase develop
ment were insignificant when com
pared 10 a matter stirling close home
10 Belding His responsibility had
been subtly attacked. doubt nau
been cast upon his capability of exc
cutting the duties of Immigration in
spectOr to the best advantage of the
state. Belding OWNED that this was
only an entering wedge. The Chases
were bent upon driving him out Of
Forlorn River: but, perhaps to serve
better their own ends, they were pro-
ceeding at leisure. Belding returned
home consumed by rage But he con-
trOlled 1t. For the first time in his
life he was afraid of himself He had
his wife and Nell to think Of and the
old law of the West had gone for
ever.
Dad, there's another Rojas round
these diggings," was Nell's remark
after the greetings were over and the
usual questions and answers passed.
Belongs exclamation was cut short
by Nell's laugh. She was serious with
kind of amused contempt.
MIR. Radford Chaser'
Nov Nell. what the" roared Beld-
ing
Hush. Dadl Don't swear" inter
rupted Nell. 81 only meant TO tease
you"
Nell, you may as well tell him and
have it over" said Mrs. BeldIng.
quietly.
well, IL you weren't such good
old blind dad you'd have seen long
ago the way Mr.. RadfOrd Chase ran
round after me. AT first IL was only
annoying. and | did not want TO add
TO your worries. But these two weeks
you've been gone I've been more than
annoyed. After that time | struck Mr.
Chase with my qulrt he made all pos
sible efforts to meet me. He did meet
me wherever went He sent me let
ters till | got tired of sending them
back. He followed me until II was
less embarrassing for me to let him
walk with me and talk his head on.
He made love to me. He begged me
TO marry him. told him | was al
ready in love and engaged to be mar
ried. He said that didn't make any
difference. Then I called him u fool
Next time he saw me he said he
must explain. He meant l was being
true TO man who. everybody on the
border knew. had been lost in the
desert That-that hurt. Maybe
maybe it's true. Sometimes it seems
terribly true. Since then. of course
| have stayed In the house to avoid
being hurt again. feel like n poor
little rabbit hOled by hound. And
! daren't peep out"
Somehow the thing struck Beldlng
as funny. and he laughed He had
not had n laugh for SO long that 1t
made him feel good He stopped only
ut sight OF Nell's surprise and pain.
Then he put his arms around her.
Never mind. dear. I'm an old bear
Nell. it's only the old story. The fel
lows fall in love with you. It's your
good looks. Nell What a price WON.
m like you and Mercedes have to pay
for beauty; I'D d good deal
rather be ugly AS mud fence
Well, the first time | cntch this locOed
Romeo sneaking round here III
M"
Dad. you promised"
"ConfOund 1t, Nell, | promised not
to pack II gun. That's all. I'll only
shoe this fellow on the place gently
mind you gently. I'll leave the rest
for Dick GALE"
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
"Hnlloa," ?" lie saw an elderly sallow,
faced. rather frall-appearing man who
was an entire stranger to him hand
some dark-eyed woman whose hair
showed white through her veil: and
superbly built girl. whose face made
Reldlng at once think of Dick Gale
as this Mr.. Tom Belding. inspector
Of immgratiun?" inquired the gentle
man. cOurteously.
I'm Belding and I know who you