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

~TNCNCT Utiti0g 1S&is ~ az NV
rather be ugly as a mud fence.
Well, the first time 1 catch this locoed
Romeo sneaking round here I'll
I'll"
dad, you promised"
"Confound it, Nell, I promised not
to pack a gun. That's all. I'll only
shoe this fellow off the place, gently,
mind you, gently. I'll 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 I" He saw an 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
Belding at once think of Dick Gale.
as this Mr.. Tom Bedding, inspector
of immigration?'' inquired the gentle
man, ~courteously.
"Tm 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, I'm 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 m lost son." said Mr.. Gale.
"His sisters letters were unanswered.
We haven't heard from him in months.
Is he still here with your"
"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 you
come in? You're all dusty and hot and
tired. Come in, and let mother and
Nell make you comfortable. OF course
you'll stay. We've a big house. You
must stay till D.ck comes back. Maybe
tbat1l be- Aw, / guess it 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. BeldinS
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. Fol
the space of a few moments his wife
and daughter were bewildered. When
the Gales had been shown to rooms,
Mrs. Bedding gained the poise momen-
tarily lost; but Nell anne rushing
back, wilder than a deer, in a state OF
excitement strange even for her.
"Oh! Dicks mother, his sister y
whispered Nell. ooh, I knew it! ]
always guessed it! Dicks people are
proud, rich; they're somebody. l
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 his ring. 1t was his
mothers, he SAID. I Nont--1 can
take it off. And I'm scared.
But the sister-oh, she's lovely and
sweet-proud, too. 1 felt warm al
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 1 had to be looking 6
fright, when of all times on earth PC
want to look my best"
Nell. out of breath, ran away evi
IDENTIFY to make herself presentable
according to her idea of the exigenc!
of the case. Bedding caught a glimpse
Of his wife's face as she went out
and it wore a sad, strange, anxious ex
preston.
Presently the Gales came back int
the sitting-room, looking very differ
ent without the long gray cloaks ant
wells. Bedding saw distinction ant
elegance. Mr.. Gale seemed a grave
troubled, kindly person, i'll in bod.
and mind. Bedding received the SAM
impression of power that Ben Chas'
had given him, only here 1t was minus
any hardness or hard quality. 81,
gathered that Mr.. Gale was a man o
authority. Mrs. Gale rather fright
ened Bedding, but he could not hav,
told why. The girl was just like Dicl
as he used to be.
Bedding imagined the ooner tn
Gales we're told that Dick was t
marry Nell the better for all con
cerned, and especially for Nell. Il
the general conversation that ensue'
he sought for an opening In which t
tell this important news, but he wa
kept SO busy answering question
about his position on the border, tn
kind of place Forlorn River was, tn