, 1923-03-14

fuse to marry you and you'll have a
hard job to break her down. as hard
as the one you just rode in off Of. 1
think l know you. too, Or l wouldn't
be saying"
For Gods sake. you don't believe
what Chase said?" queried Gale, in
passionate haste. Its a lie. / swear
it's a lie. I know it's a lie. And I've
got to tell Nell this minute. Come on
In with me. l van you, Bedding. Oh,
why didn't you tell me %sooner?"
Bedding felt himself dragged by an
iron arm Into the sitting room. into
the patio, and across that to where Nell
sat in her door. 1t sight of them she
gave a little cry, dropped for an in
slant, then raised a pale, still face,
with eyes beginning to darken.
Dearest, l know now why you are
not wearing my mothers ring" said
Gale, steadily and ~low-voiced.
Dick, l am not worthy" she re-
piled, and held out a trembling hand
with the ring lying in the palm.
Swift as light Gale caught her hand
and slipped the ring back upon the
third finger.
Nell! Look at me-. 1t is your en-
gagement ring. Listen. I don't
believe this-this thing that's been tor
turing you. l know it's a lie. l am
absolutely sure our mother will prove
1t a lie. She must have suffered once
perhaps there vas a SAT error-but the
thing you fear is moi. true. But, e
me, dearest; ever II 1t was true 1t
wouldn't make the slightest difference
to me. I want you all the more to be
my wife-to let me make you forget
to-"
She rose swiftly with the passionate
abandon Of a woman stirred to her
depths, n she kissed him.
"Oh. Dick. you're good-so good!
You'll never know-just what those
words mean to me. They've saved me
Il think"
Then, dearest, it's all right?" Dick
questioned, eagerly. You will keep
your promise? You will marry meT
The glow, the light faded out Of her
face, and now the blue eyes were al
most black. She dropped md shook
her head.
They had forgotten Bedding, who
stepped back into the shade.
~ love you with my whole heart and
soul. I'd die for you," whispered Nell.
with clenching hands. But I won't
disgrace you. Dick, you give not one
thought to your family. Would they
receive me as your wifer
They surely would" replied Gale,
steadily.
mol! oh mol"
you're wrong. Nell. I'm glad you
said that. You give me a chance to
prove something. I'll 60 this minute
and tell them all. I'll be back here in
less than"
mother?" cried Nell, with her eyes
streaming. you will not? oh. I can't
bear It'll She's so proudl And, Dick.
1 love her. Don't tell her! Please,
please don't! She'll be going soon. She
needn't ever know-about me. Please
don't go"
Nell, I'm sorry. I hate to hurt you.
But you're wrong. You can't see things
clearly. This is your happiness I'm
fighting for. And it's my life. :. . .
Wait here, dear. I won't be long"
Gale ran across the patio and dis
appeared. Nell sank to the doorstep,
and as she met the question in Bel
ding's eyes she shook her head MOURN
fully. They waited without speaking.
1t eemed a long while before Gale re-
turned. Bedding thrilled at sight of
him Tharn y-oc pnnrn hnv nhnuf hin,
than Bedding had ever seen. Dick was
coming swiftly, flushed, glowing. eager.
erect, almost smiling.
~ told them. l swore 1t was a lie,
but / wanted them to decide as II 1t
were true. l didn't have to waste a
minute on Elsie. She loves you, Nell.
The governor Is crazy about you. I
didn't have to waste two minutes on
him. Mother used up the time. She
wanted to know all there was to tell.
She is proud. yes; but, Nell, ! wish
you could have seen how she took the
the story about you. Why, she never
thought Of me at all, until she had
cried over you. Nell. she loves you,
too. They all love you. Oh, It's SO
good to tell you. I think mother
realizes the part you have had In the
what shall I call it7-the regenera-
ton of Richard Gale. Doesn't that
sound fine? Darling, mother not only
consents. she wants you to be my wife.
Do you hear that? And listen-she had
me In a corner and, Of course, being
my mother, she put on the screws. She
made me promise that we'd live In the
East half the year. That means Chi
cago, Cape May, New York-you see.
I'm not exactly the lost son any more.
Why. Nell, dear, you'll have to learn
who Dick Gale really Is. But I al
ways want to be the RINGER you helped
me become. and ride Blanco Sol. and
see a little of the desert. Don't let the
Idea Of big cities frIghten you Wen
always love the open places best. Now.