Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-04-26


to mack q gun. That's all. I'll only
shoe this fellow off 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 Bedding
was called from some garden work by
the Whirring Of al automobile and a
"HolIoa /" He saw an elderly, sallow-
faced. rather frail-appearing man who
was an entire stranger to him; hand
some dark-eyed woman whose hair
showed white through her veil; and a
superbly built girl, whose face made
Belding at once think of Dick Gale.
us this Mr.. Tom Bedding, inspector
of immigration" inquired the gentle.
man, courteously.
'I'm Bedding, and | know who you
are,,' replied Bedding in hearty amaze
as he stretched for his big hand
you're Dick Gales dad-the COVER
nor. Dick used to say. I'm sur glad
to meet you.'
'eThank you Yes I'm Dicks gov.
ernor, and here Mr.. Bedding Dicks
mother and his sister Elsie"
Beaming his pleasure, Bedding shook
hands with the ladies, who showed
their agitation clearly.
"Mr. Bedding, I've come west to
look up my lost son. said Mr.. Gale
.'His sisters letters were unanswered
We haven't heard from him in months
Is he still here with your"
"Well, now, sure I'm awful sorry, .
began Bedding, his slow mind at work
Dicks away just now-been away for
considerable SPELL I'm expecting
him back any day. Won't you
come in? You're all dusty and hot and
tired. Come in, and let mother and
Nell make you comfortable OF course
you'll stay We've a big house. You
must stay till Dick comes back. Maybe
thatIl be- AW, / guess it won't be
long. Let me handle the bag
gage, Mr.. Gale. Come in. sure
am glad to meet you ALL"
Eager, excited, delighted, Bedding
went on talking as he ushered the
Gales into the sftting-room, presenting
them in his hearty way to the as
founded Mrs. Bedding and Nell Fol
the space of a few moments his wife
and daughter were bewildered. When
the Gales had been shown to rooms
Mrs. Bedding gained the poise momen
tarily lost; but Nell came rushing
back, wilder than deer, in state OF
excitement strange even for her.
"Oh! Dicks mother, his sister Y
whispered Nell. "Oh, / knew it
always guessed It'll Dicks people are
proud, rich; they're somebody.
thought I'd faint when she looked al
me. She was just curious curious
but so cold and proud. She was won
dering about me. Dick has never
written her that he's-he's engaged to
me. I'm wearing h'ssring. 1t Tas his
mothers, he said. WON'T can't
take it off. And I'm scared.
But the sister oh, she's lovely and
sweet proud, too. I felt warm all
over when she looked at me. FL
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
come And / had to be looking a
fright, when of all times on earth I'd
want to look my best"
Nell, out Of breath, ran away eyi.
IDENTIFY to make herself presentable
according to her idea of the exigency
OF the case. Bedding caught 81 Sc
Of his wife's face as, she wen q
and it wore sad, strange, anxioua ex
preston
Presently the Gales came back into
the sitting-room, looking very differ
ent without the long gray cloaks and
wells. Bedding saw distinction and
elegance. Mr.. Gale seemed a grave
troubled, kindly person, i'll in body
and mind. Bedding received the same
impression of power that Ben Chase
had given him, only here it was minus
any hardness or hard quality He
gathered that Mr.. Gale was 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.
Bedding 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.
'It's 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 may say.
But, Mr.. Bedding, what | want to know
most is about my son. I'm broker. in
health. I've worried. myself i'll over
him. don't mind telling you, sir, that
we quarreled. He went away. And
ehoAeAeAe & eSseTSo TSe 4 OK ~ 49, 4