, 1923-01-17
cedes showed a slow. wearing strain

surely could obtain leave of absence.
Therefore, Gale waited, not without
growing anxiety, and did his best to
cheer Mercedes. The first Of February
cnme bringing news of rebel activities
and bandit operations in and around
Casita. but not u word from the cav
a1ryman.
A dozen times Gale declared he
would ride in to Casita and find out
why they did not zeal from Thorne /;
however, older and wiser heads pre-
vailed over his i~mpetuosity. 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 Yaqul, who
had been scouting oil 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 thar surpriea
"Dick," she began, hurriedly. "Mer.
cedes is dying by inches. Can't you
see what ails herr It's more than
love Oh fear. tn uncertainty-sus-
rense. oh, can't we find out for her9'
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 came close TO Gale. clasped his
arm. There vas no color in her face.
Her eyes held a dark, eager excite
ment.
Dick. will you slip off without
Dads consent? Risk It'll Go to Ca
sta and find out what's happened to
Thorne-at least IL he ever started
for Forlorn River?"
NO. Nell, / 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.
"Wnl you go-for my sake?" 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 dlsobey Bedding" pro-
tested Gale. Il won't break my
word"
Dick, It'll not be so bad as that.
But-what If it is9 . Go. Dick.
If not for poor Mercedes sake, then
for mine-to please me. Tll-Tn
you won't lose anything by going. 1
think ! know how Mercedes feels. inst
a word from Thorne or about him
would save her. Take Blanco Sol and
go, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever
ride o down on that horse? Why.
Dick. if l was up on Sol I wouldn't
be afraid Of the whole rebel army"
Gale could only stare at this trans
formed girl.
"Dick. listen II YOU 90
II you fetch some word of Thorne to
comfort Mercedes, you-well, you will
have your reward. Dick, will you 60"
"No-nol" 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 I break my word to your
father"
She seemed the incarnation of girl.
lsh scorn and willful passion.
"Gracias, senor," she replied. mock.
ingly. "Adios." Then she flashed out
of his sight.
Gale went to his room ut once, dis
turbed and thrilling, and did not soon
recover from that encounter.
The following morning ut the break
fast table Nell was not present. "She's
In n 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. 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, rs Gale
was leaving his room, he saw the
Yaqui running up the path from the
fields. Gale wondered what was the
mntter. Yaqui ran straight to Bel.
ding, who was at work at his bench
under the wagon shed. In less than
a moment Bedding was believing for
his rangers. Gale got to him first.
but Ladd and Lash were not far be-
hind.
Ill H0l-Aa -