Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-02-09


cheeks md arch eyes. Indeed she
loo ed rebell'Ons.
Dick was inclined TO he rebelllous
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 Nelrs Vicinity.
He believed she cared for him: lot
he could not catch her alone long
enough 10 verify his tormentng hope.
! He had long before enlisted the loyal
| Mercedes In his cause; hut In spite OF
this Nell had been more than a match
for them both.
| Gnle pondered over mn iden he had
| long revoived In mind, md which now
suddenly give place to 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 unders God her
| less thnn when at first he OWNED an
| nntagonsm In her. If such thing
were possible she had retained the
antagonsm while seeming to yield to
| some Influence that must have been
| fondness for him. Gale had come to
| cnre greatly for Nel's mother. MOI
| only was she the comfort and strength
| of her home but also OF the inhahl-
! tants Of Forlorn Ris err. Indian. Next
| can, American were all the same to
| her In trouble or Illness; and then she
was nurse. doctor. peacenaker. helper
| She was good and noble. and there was
not child or grownup in ForIorn
| River who did not love and bless her
But Mrs Bedding did not seem happy.
She seldom smiled, and never laughed.
| There was always soft, sad. hurt
look In her eyes. Gale often won
| dered II 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
Ladd and Lash. but 1t was the first
time for Dick. "Aother-I want to
| speak to YOU
The only Indication Mrs. Bedding
gave of being startled wns In her
eyes, which darkened Swallowed with
multiplying thought.
Il love Nell.' went on Dick. simply.
"and want you to let me ask her
to be my wife"
Mrs. Belongs face blnnched to
denthly white. Gale. thinking With
surprise and concern that she was
going TO faint. moved quickly toward
her. took her arm.
Forgive me. was blunt.
But thought you knew"
ave known for long time," replied
Mrs. Bedding Her voice was steady
and there was no evidence of agIta-
ton except In her pnllor. "Then YOU
you haven't spoken TO Nell7"
Dick laughed. i've been trying to
| get a chance to tell her. haven't
had 1t yet. But she knows hope.
almost believe Nell cares little for
| me-"
tive known TINT. too. for long
time" said Mrs. Bedding, low almost
a. whisper.
"You knowl" cried Dick. with a
glow and rush Of feeling. Mother!
You'll give her to meT' a
1 A..
looked with strange. piercing intent
ness into his fuce. Gale had neve,
dreamed womun's eyes could hold
such world OF thought and feeling.
1t seemed all the sweetness of life
WAS there. and all the pain.
| Dick Gale. you want my Nelll You
| love her just rs she Is-her sw vet
ness-her goodness1 Just herself.
body and soul? There's moth.
Ing could change you-nothlng?"
Dear Mrs. Bedding. love Nell for
herself. II she loves me III be the
happlest OF men. There's absolutely
nothing that could make any differ.
ence In me-"
But your people7 Oh. Dick, you
Gene OF II proud family. can tell
You've become 4 ranger. You love
the adyenture-the wild life. That
Won't last. Perhaps you'll settle
down To ranchIng. know you love
the West. But, Dick. there's your
family"
III you want to know anything
about my family, III tell YOU inter.
rupted Dick, with strong feeling. "pye
no secrets about them or myself. Ms
fuiurs and happiness arc Nslrs 10
make, No one slss shall count wlfh
nls.'
Then. Dlek-you mag haze her.
siod bless gou-hofhf
Alss Neldluss syslned face under
vent y SWIM ana mvblls FelasnllGn.
uud suddenly shs sas pesplug lu
ssfaasrls Mingled happlpsss snd hls
itinfnA
FNny molhegW Gels could say a.
more lif pul Aly arm around heT NJ
Alnll'si mnulsin she bad gelned rom
maud uAfl lsl6nlg Aua kIsalu4 INN