Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-02-02

places often have their hidden oasis.
In his later year my father became
a prospector. That was strange to
me, for he never cared for gold or
money. I learned that he was often
gone in the desert for weeks, once for
months. Then the time came when
he never came back. That was years
before I reached the southwest border
and. heard Of him. Even then I did
not for long give up hope of his con.
ing back. I know now-something
tells me-indeed, it seems his spirit
tells me-he was lost. But l don't
have that feeling for Yaqui and his
party. Yaqui has given Roias the
slip or has ambushed him in some
trap. Probably that took time and a
long journey into Sonora. The Indian
is too wise to start back now V
dry trails. He'll curb the rangers
he'll wait. I seem to know this. dear
Nell, so be brave, patient. Dick Gale
will come back to you"
That talk with the strong mother
worked a change in Nell and in Beld-
ing. Nell, who had done little but
brood and watch the west and take
violent rides, seemed to settle into a
waiting patience that was sad, yet
serene. Bedding, who had been break
ing under the strain of worry, recov-
cred himself so that to outward ap-
pearance he was his old self. He
alone knew, however, that his humor
was forced, and that the slow burning
wrath he felt for the Chases was fam
ing into hate.
Bedding argued with himself that If
Ben Chase and his son, Radford, had
turned out to be big men in other
ways than in the power to carry on
great enterprises he might have be-
father was greedy, grasping, hard,
cold the son added to those traits an
overbearing disposition to rule, and he
showed a fondness for drink and
cards. These men were developing
the valley, to be sure, and a horde of
poor Mexicans and many Americans
were benefting from that develop
ment; nevertheless, these Chases were
operating in a way which proved they
cared only for themselves.
Bedding went to Casita with a num-
her of his white thOroughbreds and
shipped them to ranchers and horse
breeders in Texas. Then, being "a
the railroad, and having time, he went
Ut to Tucson. There he learned some
interesting particulars about the
Chases. They had an office in the
city; influential friends In the cap
itol. They were powerful men in the
rapidly growing finance of the West.
They had interested the Southern Pa
cifc railroad, and in the near future a
branch line was to be constructed
from San Felipe to Forlorn River.
These details of the Chase develop
ment were insignificant when COM
pared to a matter striking close home
to Bedding. His responsibility had
been subtly attacked. A doubt mao
been cast upon his capability of exc
citing the duties of immigration in
spector to the best advantage of the
state. Bedding OWNED that this was
only an enteting wedge. The Chases
were bent upon driving him out of
Forlorn River; but, perhaps to serve
better their own ends, they were pro
ceeding at leisure. Bedding returned
home consumed by rage. But he con-
trolled it. For the first time in his
life he was afraid of himself. He had
his wife and Nell to think of and the
old law of the West had gone for
ever.
Dad, there's another ROjas round
these diggings," was Nells remark,
after the greetings were over and the
usual questions and answers passed.
Belongs exclamation was cut short
by Nelrs laugh. She was serious with
a kind of amused contempt.
"Mr. Radford Chase!"
"Now Nell, what the roared Beld.
ing.
Hush, Dadl Don't swear" inter
rupted Nell. 81 only meant to tease
you"
Nell, you may as well tell him snt
have it over" said Mrs. Bedding
quietly.
"Well, if you weren't such a goot
old blind dad you'd have seen Ions
ago the way Mr.. Radford Chase raj
round after me. At first it was only
annoying, and l did not want to ado
to your worries. But these two weeks
you've been gone I've been more thai
annoyed. After that time l struck MI
Chase with my quirt he made all pos
sible efforts to meet me. He did NEE
me wherever l went. He sent me let
tiers till | got tired of sending then
back. He followed me until it wa
less embarrassing for me to let hin
walk with me and talk his head of
He made love to me. He begged m
to marry him. l told him l was al
ready in love and engaged to be maj
ried. He said that didn't make an,
difference. Then 1 called him a foo
Next time he saw me he said h
- 7 .NOD% xr-no hnin