, 1923-02-21

Romeo sneaking RAND here III
I'll"
Dad, you promised"
"Confound it, Neli. / promised not
to pack a u That's all. I'll only
shoe this fellow off the place, gently,
mind you. gently. III leave the rest
for Dick Gale"
April grew apace. and soon gave
way to May. One morning Bedding
was called from some garden work by
the whirring of an automobile and a
"Holloa !" He saw al elderly, sallow-
faced, rather frail-appearing man who
was an entire stranger to him a hand
some dark-eyed woman whose hair
showed white through her veil and a
superbly built girl, whose face made
Bedding at once think of Dick Gale.
rs this Mr.. Tom Bedding. inspector
of immigration? ?" inquired the gentle
man, ~courteously.
I'm Bedding. and I know who you
are" replied Bedding in hearty amaze,
as he stretched for his big hand.
you're Dick Gales dad-the COVER
nor, Dick used to say. I'm sure glad
to meet you"
THANK you. Yes, Pm Dicks gov
ernor, and here, Mr.. Belding-Dick's
mother and his sister Elsie"
Beaming his pleasure, Bedding shook
hands with the ladies', who showed
their agitation clearly.
Mr. Bedding. I've come west to
look up my lost son." said Mr.. Gale.
His sisters letters were unanswered.
We haven't heard from him In months.
Is he still here with you
"Well, now. sure I'm awful sorry"
began Bedding, his slow mind at work.
"Dick's away just now-been away for
a considerable spell. I'm expecting
him back any day. Won't Won
come in? You're oil dusty and hot and
tired. Come in. and let mother and
Nell make o comfortable. OF course
you'll stay. We've a big house. You
must stay till Dick comes back. Maybe
that1l De Aw. l guess 1t won't be
long. -. . Let me handle the bag
gage. Mr.. Gale. . Come in. l sure
am glad to meet you ALL"
Eager, excited. delighted, Bedding
went on talking as he ushered the
Gales into the sitting-room, presenting
them In his hearty way to the as
founded Mrs. Bedding and Nell. For
the space of a few moments his wife
and daughter were bewildered. When
the Gales had peer shown to rooms,
Mrs. Bedding gained the poise momen-
tarily lost; but Nell came rushing
back, wilder than a deer, in a state of
excitement strange even for her.
"Oh! Dicks mother, his sister!"
whispered Nell. "Oh. / knew It'll I
always guessed it! Dicks people are
proud, rich: they're somebody. I
thought I'd faint when she looked at
me. She was just curious-curious.
but so cold and proud. She was Won
dering about me. Dick has never
written her that he's-he's engaged to
me. I'm wearing hts ring. 1t was his
mothers, he said. l won't-I can't
take it off. And I'm scared. .
But he sister-oh, she's lovely and
~sweet-proud, too. I felt warm ALI
over when she looked at me. II
wanted to kiss her. She looks like
Dick when he first came to us. But
he's changed. They'll hardly recog-
nize him. To think they've
come And I had to be looking a
fright, when of all times on earth I'd
want to look my best"
Nell, out of breath. ran away evil
IDENTIFY to make herself presentable.
according to her idea of the exigency
Of the case. Bedding caught a glimpse
of his wife's face as she went out,
and 1t wore a sad, strange, anxious ex-
preston.
Presently the Gales came back into
the sitting-room, looking very differ
ent without the long gray cloaks and
wells. Beldlsg saw distinction and
elegance. Mr.. Gale seemed a grave,
troubled, kindly person, Ill In body
and mind. Bedding received the same
impression of power that Ben Chase
had given him. only here It was minus
any hardness or hard quality. He
gathered that Mr.. Gale was a man Of
authority. Mrs. Gale rather fright
med Bedding, but he could not have
told why. The girl was just like Dick
as he used to be.
Bedding imagined the sooner the
Gales were told that Dick was to
marry Nell the better for all con-
cerned, and especially for Nell. In
the general conversation that ensued
he sought for an opening In which to
tell this important news, but he was
kept SO busy answering questions
about his position on the border, the
kind OF place Forlorn River was. the
reason for so many tents. etc, that he
was unable to find opportunity.
ITS Interesting, very interesting"
said Mr.. Gale. AT another time
wnnt to learn all you'll tell me about
the West. It's new to me. I'm sur
prised. amazed. sir. l may say.
But. Mr.. Bedding. what I want to know
most is about my son. I'm broken In
health. I've worried myself I'll over
him. / don't mind telling you. sir. that
we quarreled. He went away. And
I've come to see I didn't know Rich