Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-01-12
CHAPTER x
Roias.

began to wonder If anything serious
could have happened to him. Mer-
cedes showed a slow, wearing strain.
Thorne's commission expired the
end of January, and if he could not
get his discharge Immediately, he
surely could obtain leave Of absence.
Therefore, Gale waited, not without
growing anxiety, and did his best to
cheer Mercedes. The first of February
came bringing news of rebel activities
and bandit operations IL and around
Casita, but not u word from tile cav
alryman.
A dozen times Gale declared he
would ride in to Casita and find out
why they did not hear from Thorne;
however, older and wiser heads pre-
vailed over his impetuosity. Bedding
and the rangers and the Yaqui held a
consultation. Not only had the indian
become a faithful servant to Gale, but
he was also of value to Bedding.
Yaqui had all the craft of his class,
and superior intelligence. His knowl-
edge of Mexicans was second only to
his hate of them. And Yaqut, who
had been scouting On all the trails,
gave information that made Bedding
decide to wait some days before send
Ing anyone to Casita.
1t was upon Gales coming from this
conference that he encountered Nell.
Since the interrupted siesta episode
she had been more than ordinarily
elusive, and about all he had received
from her was a tantalizing smile from
a distance. He got the impression
now, however, that she had awaited
him. When he drew close to her he
was certain of it, and he experienced
more than surprise.
"Dick," she began, hurriediy. "NIer.
cedes is dying by inches. Can't you
see what ails her? It's more than
love or fear. It's uncertainty-sus-
pense. Oh, can't we find out for herr"
"Nell, l feel as badly as you about
her. l wanted to ride to Casita. Bel
ding shut me up quick, the last time"
Nell anne close to Gale, clasped his
arm. There was no color in her face.
Her eyes held a dark, eager excite
ment.
"Dick, will you slip off without
Dads consent? Risk it! Go to Ca
sta and find out what's happened to
for Forlorn River?"
mo, Nell, l won't do that"
She drew away from him with pas
sionate suddenness.
"Are you afraid?"
This certainly was not the Nell Bur-
ton that Gale knew.
mo, I'm not afraid" Gale replied,
a little nettled.
"Will you go-for my sakeY' Like
lightning her mood changed and she
was close to him again, hands on his,
her face white, her whole presence
sweetly alluring.
Nell, l won't disobey Belding," pro-
tested Gale. II won't break my
word"
"Dick, it'll not be so bad as that.
But-what if 1t is? Go, Dick,
if not for poor Mercedes sake. then
for mine-to please me. Ill-Iu b.
you won't lose anything by going. I
think / know how Mercedes feels. Just
a word from Thorne or about him
would save her. Take Blanco Sol and
go, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever
ride you down on that horse? Why,
Dick, if | was up on Sol / wouldn't
be afraid of the whole rebel army
Gale could only stare at this trans
formed girl.
"Dick, listen! If You go
If you fetch some word of Thorne to
comfort Mercedes, you-well, you will
have your reward. Dick, will you CO."
"No-no" cried Gale, in violence,
struggling with himself. Nell Bur-
ton, I'll tell you this. To have the
reward l want would mean pretty
neal heaven for me. But not even
for that will l break my word to your
father"
She seemed the incarnation Of girl
ish scorn and willful passion.
"Gracias, senor," she replied, mock
ingly. "Adios." Then she flashed out
of his sight.
Gale went to his room at once, dis
turbed and thrilling, and did not soon
/ recover from that encounter.
The following morning at the break
fast table Nell was not present. "She's
in one of her tantrums lately" said
Bedding. wouldn't speak to me this
morning. Let her alone, mother
She's spoiled enough. without running
after her. She's always hungry. Shell
be on hand presently, don't mistake
me-"
Notwithstanding Belongs convic
ton, which Gale shared, Nell did moi
apnear at all during the hour. Per
hans half an hn~r aftnrusa~d % Cole