Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-06-16


and stood beside her as she leaned
against her husband. She seemed i'm
PEELED to meet the Indians gaze and
evidently 1t was so powerful or hyp
motto that It wrought irresIstibly upon
her But she must have seen or di
vined what was beyond the others,
for she offered him her trembling
hand Yaqui took 1t and laid 1t
against his body in a strange motion,
and bowed his head. Then he stepped
back into the shadow Of the room.
Beldlng went outdoors while the
rangers took up their former position
at the west window. Each had his
own somber thoughts, Gale imagined,
and knew his own were dark enough.
He saw Bedding halt at the corrals
and wave his hand. Then the rebels
. mounted and came briskly up the
road, this time to rein in abreast.
Wherever Rojas had kept himself
upon the former advance was not
clear; but he certainly was prominent
ly In sight now. He made a gaudy.
almost a dashing figure. ROjas dis
mounted and seemed to be listening
Bedding made gestures, vehemently
bObbed his big head, appeared to talk
with his body as much as with his
tongue. Then Rojas was seen to reply,
and after that 1t was clear that the
talk became painful and difficult. It
ended finally In what appeared to be
mutual understanding. Rojas mount
ed and rode away with his men,
while Bedding came tramping back to
the house.
AS he entered the door his eyes
were shining, his big hands were
clenched, and he was breathing au-
dibly.
you can rope me If I'm not To-
coed" he burst out. ~ went out to
conciliate a red-handed little MUIR
derer, and d-n me If 1 didn't meet
a-a-well I've no suitable name
handy. 1 started my bluff and got
along pretty well, but forgot to men,
ton that Mercedes was ThOrne's wife.
And what do you think? Rojas swore
he loved Mercedes-swore he'd marry
her right here in Forlorn River
swore he would give up robbing and
killing people, and take her away
from Mexico He has gold-jewels.
He swore If BE didn't get her moth
ing mattered. He'd die anyway with
out her. And here's the strange
thing. I believe him He was cold
as ice, and all hi inside. Never saw
a Greaser like him. Anyway, without
my asking he said for me to think it
over for a day and then we'd talk
again"
"Shore we're born luckyw ejacu-
lated Laid.
Il reckon Rojas'I be smart enough /
to string his outfit across the few /
trails out of Forlorn River" remarked
Jim.
"That needn't worry us. All we
want is dark to come" replied Bel
ding. "Yaqui will slip through. If
we thank any lucky stars let 1t be for
the Indian. You may go to Yuma in
six days and maybe in six weeks. You
may have a big fight. Laddy, take
the .405. Dick will pack his Reming-
ton. All of you go gunned heavy. But
the main thing is a pack that'Il be
light enough for swift travel, yet one
thatll keep you from starving on the
desert"
The rest of that day passed swiftly.
The sun set, twilight fell, then night
closed down, fortunately a night
slightly overcast. Gale saw the white
horses pass his door like silent
ghosts. Even Blanco Dlablo made no
sound, and that fact was indeed a
.ribute to the Yaqui Gale went out
% put his saddle on Blanco Sol The
lorse rubbed soft nose against his
shoulder. Then Gale returned to the
lifting room. There was nothing more
o do but wait and say good-by. Mer-
.edes came clad in leather chaps and
.Oat, a slim STRIPPING of a cowboy, her
lark eyes flashing. Her beauty could
lot be hidden, and now hope and
ourage had fired her blood.
Gale drew Nell into his arms.
Dearest, Pm going-soon.
Ind maybe I'll never"
"Dlck, do-don't say IT," sobbed
Yell, with her head on his breast.
II might never come back" he went
n, steadily. 81 love you've loved
GU ever since the first moment saw
on. Do you love meT'
'Yes, yes. Oh, love you sol
ever knew II till now. / love you So
lick, I'll be safe and I'll wait-and
ope and pray for your return"
"If I come back-no-when l come
ack, will you marry me?" ,
T-I-oh yes." she whispered. and l
eturned his kiss {
Bedding was in the room speaking
Oftly. l
Nell, darling must 60" said {
lick. I
I'm a selfish little coward" cried 6
ELL. TITS so splendid Of you all. 1 {