The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-01-11

are you d1ra10T r.
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 sake?" Like
lightning her mood changed and sh,
was close to him again, hands on his
her face white. her whole presence
sweetly alluring.
''Nell. won't dlsobey Belding." pro
tested Gale. "I won't break my
word"
"Dick, it'll not be SO bad as that
But-what If II is7 Go. Dick
If not for poor Mercedes sake ther
for mine-to please me. I'll-rH
you won't lose anything by going. il
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, II was up on Sol l wouldn't
be afraid Of the whole rebel army
Gale could only stare at this trans
formed girl.
"Dick. listenl II you 60
II you fetch some word of Thorne tc
comfort Mercedes. you-well, you viii
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
near 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
Belding. wouldn't speak to me this
morning. Let her alone, mother.
She's spoiled enough, without running
after her. She's always hungry. She'll
be on hand presently, don't mistake
= me-"
Notwithstanding Belongs convic.
tion, which Gale shared, Nell did not
appear at all during the hour. Per
haps half an hour afterward, as Gale
was leaving his room. he saw the
Yaqui running up the path from the
fields. Gale wondered what was the
matter. Yaqui ran straight to Bel
ding, who was at work at his bench
under the wagon shed. In less than
his rangers. Gale got to him first,
F., but Ladd and Lash were not far be.
hind.
"Blanco Sol gonel" yelled Belding,
in rage.
"Raidersi" exclaimed Jim Lash.
Lord only knows. Yaqui says II
wasn't raiders"
"Send Yaqui to find the hoss' trail,
an let's figger." said Ladd. 'Shore
this 3 no raider job
In the swift search that ensued Gale
did not have anything to say; but his
mind was forming q conclusion. When
he found his old saddle and bride
missing from the peg in the barn his
conclusion became Z positive convic.
tion. and II made him. for the moment,
cold and sick and speechless.
Hey. Dick. don't take It 80 much to
heart" said Belding. "Wem likely
md Sol. and If we don't, there's other
good horses"
Tin not thinking of SOL" replied
Gale.
Ladd cast a sharp glance at Gale,
snapped his fingers. and said:
"D-n me II amt guessed 1t tool"
"What's wrong with you locoed
gentsT" bluntly demanded Bedding.
"Nell has started for Casita," burst
out Gale. "She has gone to fetch
Mercedes some word about Thorne.
oh, Belding. you needn't shake your
head. ! know she's gone. She tried
to persuade me to 60, and was furious
when wouldn't"
II don't believe It," replied Bedding,
hosrsely. Nell may have her temper |
She's a little devil at times, but she |
always had good sense"
'"TOm. you can gamble she's gone"
said Ladd.
saw. HI. mol Jim, what do you
think !" implored Bedding.
iCNhoh ooi Wbitt Hchu 10 point- L
ed level and straight down Casita |
trail. An Nell can ride. We're losin' |
line"
That reused Bedding to action.
81 say you're all wrong" he yelled. |
starting for the corrals. "She's only |
taking little ride. same as she's done |
often. But rustic now. Find out. |
Dick Won rida cross tho vaIlav Tim
you hunt up and down the river. I'll |
head up San Felipe way. And you. |
Laddy. take Diablo and hit the Casita |
trail. If she really has gone after |
Thorne you can catch her In an hour
or So"
"Shore I'll CO." replied Ladd. "But,
Reldin'. If you're not plumb crazy |
you're close to 1t. That big white
devil can't catch Sol NOT In an hour