Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-02-09

end OF January, and II he could MOI
ret his discharge Immediately. he
surely could obtain leave OF absence.
Therefore. Gale waited, not without
| growing anxiety, and did his best to
| cheer Mercedes. The first OF February
came bringing news of rebel activities
and bandit operations In and arounf
| CasIta. but not word from the cav
alryman.
A dozen times Gale declared he
would ride In to Casita and find out
why they did not hear from Thorne !;
| however, older and wiser heads pre-
vailed over his impetuosity. Bedding
| and the rangers and the Yaqui held
| consultation. Not only had the Indian
become faithful servant to Gale. but
ne wns also of value to Bedding
Yaqu had all the craft Of his class.
and superior intelligence. His knowi-
| edge OF Mexlcans was second only Z"
| his hate Of them. And Yaqul. who
had been scouting on all the trails,
| gave Information that made Belding
| decide to wait some days before send
| ing anyone 10 CnSlla.
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 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 than surprise.
"Dick," she began, hurriedly. "Mer-
| cedes is dying by inches. Can't you
| see what ails her? It's more thnn
| love or fear. It's uncertaInty-su
| pense. Oh. can't we find out for herr
Nell, feel as badly as you about
her. wanted to ride to Caslta. Bel
ding smut me up quick. the last time"
Nell came close to Gale, clasped his
arm. There was no color in her face.
Her eyes held a dark, eager excite
nent.
"Dick. will you slip off without
Dads consent7 Risk It'll Go to Ca
sta and find out what's happened to
Thorne-nt least If 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.
"No, I'm not afraid" Gale replied
a little nettled.
"Will you go-for my sake?' Like
| lightning her mood c.anged and she
was close to him again. hands on his.
| her face white, her whole presence
| sweetly alluring.
Nell, won't disobey Bedding" pro-
tested Gale. II won't break my
word"
'Dick, it'll not be so bad as TINT
| But-whnf II 1t ls? Co. Dick.
II not for poor Mercedes sake. then
for mine--to please me. I1l-I'll :.
you won't lose anything by going.
! think know how Mercedes feels. Just
n word from Thorne or about him
| would save her. Take Blanco Sol mud
20, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever
ride you down on that horse? Why.
Dick. II was up on Sol woudn,
he afraid Of the whole rebel army"
Gale could only stare at this trans
formed girl.
"Dick. listeni II you 60
II you fetch some word Of Thorne to
comfort Mercedes, you-well, you will
hnve your reward. Dick. will you CO."
"No-no!" cried Gaie, in violence.
struggling with himself. "Nell Bur-
ton. I'll tell you this. To have the
reward want would mean pretty
near heaven for me- But not even
for that will break my word to your
father."
She seemed the incarnation Of girl
ish scorn and wIlifui passion.
"Graciss. senor," she replied mock
ingly. "Adios." Then she flashed out
Of his sight.
Gale went to his room at once, dis
tut bed and thrilling. and did not soon
recover from that encounter.
The following morning at the break
inst table Nell was not present. "She's
in one Of her tantrums lately" said
Bedding. Wouldn't spenk to me this
morning. Let her alone mother
She's spoiled enough. without running
after her. She's always hungry. She'll
he on hand presently. don't mistake
me-"
Notwithstanding Belongs convic.
ton. which Gale shared. Nell did no<
appenr ut all during the hour. Per.
haps half an 'our nfterward. as Cn,e |
was leaving rooIn. he saw the |
Yaqui runn.ns up the path from the |
fields. Gale wondered what was the
matter. iaqui rnn straight to Bel. |
ding. who was Mt work at his bench
under the wagon shed. In less than
a moment Bedding was believing for
his rangers. Gale got 10 him first.
but Ladd and Lash were not far be
hind.
L. /