The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-02-22

Dut so coid and proud. She was won
dering about me. Dick has never
written her that he's-he's engaged to
me. I'm wearing his ring. 1t was his
mothers, he said. / won't-I can't
take It of. And I'm scared. ..
But the sister-oh. she's lovely and
sweet-proud. too. l 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
comel And had to be looking
fright. when Of all times on earth I'd
want to look my best"
Nell, out of breath. ran away evil
IDENTIFY to make herself presentable.
according to her idea of the exigency
of the case. Belding caught a glimpse
Of his wife's face as she went out
and 1t wore a 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. Belding saw distinction and
elegance. Mr.. Gale seemed a 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
ened Bedding, 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.
Its interesting. very interesting"
said Mr.. Gale. "At another time
want to learn all you'll tell me about
the West. It's new to me. I'm sur
prised, amazed, sir, I may say. :.
But, Mr.. Belding. what I want to know
most is about my son. I'm broken in
health. I've worried myself Ill 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. I was wrong to upbraid him.
For year we've known nothing of his
1oings. and now for almost six months
we've not heard from him at all.
Frankly. Mr.. Belding. I weakened first,
and I've come to hunt him up. My
fear is that didn't start soon
enough"
Mr.. Gale paused and the white hand
he raised expressively shook little.
Belding was not so thick -witted
where men were concerned. He saw
how the matter lay between Dick Gale
and his father.
"Well, Mr.. Gale. sure most young
bucks from the East go to the bad
out here" he said bluntly. "They
blow their money, then go to punch
ing cows. take to whisky"
Mr.. Gale lifted haggard eyes.
"Then it's bumming around, regular
tramps and to the bad generally"
Belding spread wide his big arms. and
when one Of them dropped round Nell,
who sat beside him, she squeezed his
hand tight. "Sure. it's the regular
thing" he concluded, cheerfully.
He rather felt little glee at Mr..
Gales distress, and Mrs. Gales
crushed I-told-you-so woe in no wise
bothered him; but the look in the big,
dark eyes Of Dicks sister was too
much for Belding.
He choked of his characteristic
oath when excited and blurted out
Say, but Dick Gale never went to the
bad! Listenl"
Bedding had scarcely started Dick
Gales story when he perceived that
never In his life had he such an ab-
sorbed and breathless audience. Pres
emily they were awed, and at the con
clusion of that story they sat white
faced still, amazed beyond speech
Belding kept back nothing but the
present doubt Of Dicks safety.
Mr.. Gale rose unsteadily from his
chair. His frailty was now painfully
manifest.
"Mr. Bedding, do You mean my SON
Richard Gale-has done all that you
told us?" he asked, incredulously.
'T sure do" replied Belding, with
hearty good Will.
Martha. do you hearr" Mr.. Gale
turned to question his wife. She could
not answer. Her face had not yet
regained its natural color.
HE faced that bandit and his gang
alone-he fought them?' demanded
Mr.. Gale, his voice stronger.
Bedding nodded with a grin.
"He's ranger now-riding. fight
ing. sleeping on the sand. preparing
his own food? Mr. Bedding. you say
Richard works for you. May i ask.
at what salary?"
"He gets forty dollars. board and
OUTFIT" replied Belding, proudly.
~Forty dollars7' echoed the father