The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-04-20

looked rebellious.
Dick was inclined to be rebellious
himself. Belding 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 Nell's vicinity.
He believed she cared for him; but
he could not catch her alone long
enough TO verify his tormenting hope.
He had long before enlisted the loyal
Mercedes In his cause; but In spite of
this Nell had been more than match
for them both.
Gale pbndered over an Idea he had
long revolved In mind, and which now
suddenly gave 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.
Belding had subtly and incomprehen-
sively changed He understood her
less than when at first he OWNED an
antagonism In her. II such a thing
were possible she had retained the
antagonism while seeming to yield to
some influence that must have been
fondness for him. Gale had come to
care greatly for Nell's mother. Not
only was she the comfort and strength
Of her home, but also of the inhabi-
tants of Forlorn River. Indian, Mexi-
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. Beldlng 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. Belding 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. "Mother-I want to
speak to you"
The only indication Mrs. Belding
gave of being startled was in her
eyes, which darkened, shadowed with
multiplying thought.
II love Nell," went on Dick, simply,
"and want you to let me ask her
to be my wife,"
Mrs. Belongs face blanched to a
| deathly white. Gale, thinking with
surprise and concern that she was
going to faint, moved quickly toward
her, took her arm.
"Forgive me. l was blunt. :.
But I thought you knew"
"I've known for long time," replied
Mrs. Bedding. Her voice was steady,
| and there was no evidence of agita4
ton except In her pallo.. ''Then you
you haven't spoken to Nellr' ~
Dick laughed. i've been trying to
set chance to tell her. I haven't
had It yet. But she knows. hope,
I almost believe Nell cares little for
me-"
"rve known that, too for a long
time" said Mrs Belding, low almost
as whisper.
"You known cried Dick, with
| glow and rush Of feeling. ,Jother
You'll give her to me?"
She drew him to the light and
looked with strange, piercing intent
ness into his face. Gale had never
dreamed a woman's eyes could hold
such a world Of thought and feeling.
II seemed all the sweetness Of life
was there, and all the pain.
"Dick Gale, you want my Nelli You
love her just as she is-her sweet
ness-her goodnessf Just herself,
body and souli There's moth
ing could change you-nothingr'
'Dear Mrs Belding, love Nell for
herself. II she loves mo I'll be the
happiest Of men. There's absolutely
nothing that could make any differ
ence In me-
"But your peoplsf Oh, Dick you
come of a proud family. can tell.
You've become q ranger. You love
| the adventure-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 10 know anything
about my family. I'll tell you,' inter
rupted Dick, with strong feeling. @rve
no secrets about them or myself. MY
| future and happiness are Nell's to
make No one else shall count with
me- Ii.
"Then, Dick-you may hays her.
0od--bless-you-both."
Mrs.. Belongs strained fncs under
went swift and mobile relaxation,
and suddenly she was weeping In
strangely mingled happiness and BIT
| terness.
4 q swhy, mothsrr- Gale could nay no
more. He put his arm around her. In
another moment she had gained COM
mand over herself, and. kissing him,
she pushed him out Of the door.
s.Therei 90 tell her. Dick.
And have some spunk about III" ~
Gale went thouehtfully back to his
room. Then remembering the hope
Mra Bslding had given him, Dick lost