The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-06-22
by
ZANE GREY
Author Of Riders Of
the Purple Sage.
Wildfire, Etc.
Copyright by Harper q BrotherA
CHAPTER xvIII-continued.

tne stern reuity uioySu aSoinSe hiS
dreams.
"That devil. Radford Chase-heTl
tell my secret" painted Nell. "He swore
II you ever came back and married me
he'd follow us all over the world to
tell It."
Belding saw Gale grow deathly
white and suddenly stand stock-still.
"Chase threatened you, then?" asked
Dick; and the forced naturalness of
his voice struck Belding.
Threatened me? He made my life
q nightmare" replied Nell, in a rush
Of speech. "He got so half the time,
when he was drunk, he didn't want or
ask me to be his wife. l was about
ready to give up and go mad when
you-you came home"
She ended in whisper, looking up
wistfully and sadly at him. Bedding
was raging fire within, cold without.
Gale gathered Nell up into his arms
and held her to his breast for long
moment.
"Dear Nell, I'm sure the worst Of
your trouble Is over" he said, gently.
81 will not give you up. Now, won't
you lie down, try to rest and calm
yourself? Don't grieve any more.
This thing isn't so bad as you make 1t.
Trust me. I'll shut Mr.. Radford
Chase's mouth"
AS he released her she glanced
quickly up at him, then lifted appeal
ing hands.
"Dick, you won't hunt for him-go
after him2'
Gale laughed, and the laugh made
Belding jump.
'Dick, cannot keep you backr
mo" he said.
Then the woman In her burst
through instructive fear, and with her
eyes blazing black In her white face
she lifted parted Quivering lips and
kissed him.
Gale left the patio, and Belding fol-
lowed closely at his heels. They went
through the sitting-room. Outside
upon the porch sat the rangers, Mr..
Gale, and Thorne. Dick went into his
room without speaking.
ashore somethin's comm off," said
Ladd, sharply; and he sat up with his
keen eyes narrowing.
Belding spoke a few words; and,
remembering an impression he had
wished to make upon Mr.. Gale, he
made them strong.
Better stop that boy" he conclud-
cd, looking at Mr.. Gale. Hell do
some mischief. He's wilder'n hi"
Just then Dick came out of his door.
asked his father.
I'm going to beat dog"
Then Dick strobe off the porch.
"Hold on!" Ladd's voice would
have stopped almost any man. "Dick,
you wasn't agoin' without meT
'"Yes, was But I'm thoughtless
Just now, Laddy."
"Shore you was. Wait q minute,
Dick I'm a sick man, but at that no
body can pull any stunts round here
without me-"
lie hobbled along the porch and
went into his room. Jim Lash knocked
the ashes out Of his pipe, and, hum
Ladd. In a moment the rangers APP
peared, and both were packing guns.
"Where will we find these ChasesT'
asked Dick of Belding.
They've got a place down the road
adjoining the inn. They call It their
club. At this hour RadfOrd will be
there sure. I don't know about the
old man. But his office Is now Just
across the way"
They passed several houses, turned
a corner into the main street, and
stopped at wide, low adobe struc-
ture The place was a hall, and need
ed only a bar to make II saloon. A
large table near window was sur
rounded by a noisy, smoking. drinking
circle Of card-players.
"Point out this Radford Chase to
me-" said Gale.
"Therei The big fellow with the
red face. His eyes stick out little.
Seel He's dropped his cards and his
face isn't red any more"
Dick strobe across the room. His
heavy boot shot up. and with a crash
the table split, and glasses. cards, chips
few everywhere. As they ratified
down and the chairs of the dumfound-
ed players began to slide Dick called
out: my name is Gale. I'm looking
Cor Mr.. Radford Chase"
A tall, heavy-shouldered fellow rose,
boldly enough. even swaggeringly and
glowered at Gale.
'Tm Radford Chase" he said. His
voice betrayed the boldness Of his ac-
ton.
II was over in a few moments. The
tables and chairs were tumbled into a
heap; q pool table had been showed
aside; a lamp lay shattered, with oil
running dark upon the floor. Ladd
leaned against a post with q smoking
xun In HIS hand. "A Mexican creuched
close to the wall moaning over a bro
ken arm. In the far corner upheld
81 comrades another wounded Mexi-
can cried out in pain. These two had
attempted to draw weapons upon Gale,
end Ladd had crippled them.
In the center Of the room lay Rad-
sbrd Chase a limp, torn, hulking.
bloody figure. He was not seriously
- A~1~l>~~