Shoshone journal., 1923-04-13
ZANE GREY
Author Of Riders Of
the Purple Sage.
Wildfre, Etc.
copyright by Harper 4 Brotherh
CHAPTER xvtfi-continued.


rtor-I-I can't marry you !"
The boyish brightness faded out Of
csla,. face. Here, Belding saw, was
tb, stern reality arrayed against his
dreams.
~That devil, RXdferd Chase-hen
all NV secret" painted Nell. HE swore
n YOU ever came back and married me
hsd follow us all over the world to
tell It,"
vb,te and suddenly stand stock-still.
nCbase threatened you, then?" asked
p,ck and the forced naturalness Of
his voice struck Belding.
nThreatened mel He made my life
nightmare" replied Nell, in a rush
~ speech. HE got 20 half the time,
when he was drunk, he didn't want or
ask me to be his wife. l was about
ready to give up and 90 mad when
you-you came home"
She ended In a whisper, looking up
ylstfully and sadly at him. Bedding
was a raging fire within, cold without.
Gale gathered Nell up into his arms
and held her to his breast for q long
moment.
"Dear Nell I'm sure the worst of
your trouble is over" he said, gently.
.I will not give you up. Now, won't
you lie down, try to rest and calm
yourself7 Don't grieve any more.
This thing isn't so bad as you make 1t.
Trust me- I'll shut Mr.. Radford
Chase's mouth"
AS he released her she glanced
quickly up at him, then lifted appeal
ing hands.
"Dick, you won't hunt for him-go
after him?"
Gale laughed, and the laugh made
Belding jump.
"Dick, cannot keep you backr
NO" he said.
Then the woman In her burst
through instructive fear, and with her
eyes blazing black In her white face
she lifted parted quivering lips and
kissed him.
Gale left the patio, and Belding fol-
lowed closely at his heels. They went
through the sitting-room. Outside
upon the porch sat the rangers, Mr..
Gale, and Thorne. Dick went into his
room without speaking.
ashore somethin's comm of" said
Ladd, sharply; and he sat up with his
keen eyes narrowing
Bedding spoke a few words; and,
remembering an impression he had
wished to make upon Mr. Gale, he
made them strong.
Better stop that boy" he conclud-
ed, looking at Mr.. Gale. Hell do
some mischief. He's wilder'n HI"
Just then Dick came out Of his door.
"Richard, where are you goingf"
asked his father.
I'm going to beat q dog"
Then Dick strobe OF the porch.
Hold onl" Ladd's voice would
have stopped almost any man. "Dick,
You wasn't agoin' without meY
Yes, l was. But I'm thoughtless
just now, Laddy."
Shore you was. Wait a minute,
DICK I'm sick man, but at that no
oody can pull any stunts round here
without me-"
lie hobbled along the porch and
went into his room. Jim Lash knocked
tne ashes out Of his pipe, and, hum
ming his dance tune, he followed |
LAID. In a moment the rangers ap-
peared, and both were packing guns.
Where will we find these Chases7"
asked Dick Of Belding.
Iney've got place down the road |
adjoining the inn. They cali it their
Club. At this hour Radford will be
there sure. don't know about the
old man. But his Office Is now just
across the way"
Ihey passed several houses, turned |
corner Into the main street, and
stopped at wide, low adobe struc-
ture. The place was q hall, and need
Cd only bar to make 1t saloon. A
large table near a window was sur
rounded by noisy, smoking, drinking
circle OF card-players.
Point out this Radford Chase to
me- said Gale.
There! The big fellow with the
req lace. His eyes stick out little.
seei He's dropped his cards and his
race isn't red any more"
Dick strobe across the room. His
neayy boot shot up, and with crash
ne table split. and glasses. cards. chips
le" everywhere. As they ratified
iown and the chairs OF the dumfound-
~ players began TO slide Dick called
put my name is Gale. I'm looking
of hr hadford Chase"
tan besyy-shouIGered fellow rose,
'v'oly enough, even swaggeripgly and
lowered az Gale.
I'm hadford Chase he said His
Lon
- Was over Ia few moments, The
'p'"s Hnd chairs we're fumbled into .
'fapi . pool iabis had been showed Z
sue lamp lay shaflefsd, eilb oil