Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-07-14

| hViSeS Liey-1 III uiIdlu lney nave
been lost in the desert. It's an ole
story on Canine del Diablo"
He had to tell Nell that, and It was
an ordeal which left him weak.
Mrs. Belding listened to him, and
was silent for a long time while she
held the stricken Nell to her breast
Then she opposed his convictions with
that quiet strength so characteristic
of her arguments
"But mother, they're gone seven
weeks. Seven weeksl At the most l
gave them six weeks. Seven weeks in
the desert !"
'How do the Yaquis live?" she asked.
Bedding could not reply to that, but
hope revived in him. He had faith
in his wife. though he could not in
the least understand what he mag
ined was something mystic in her.
years ago when l was searching
for my father I learned many things
about this country" said Mrs Beld-
ing. "You can never tell how long a
man may live in the desert, The
F@aces often have their hidden oasis.
In his later years my father became
a prospectOr. That was strange to
me, for he never cared for gold or
money. I learned that he was often
gone in the desert for weeks, once for
mNnths Then the time came when
he never came back. That was years
before I reached the southwest border
and heard of him. Even then I did
not for long give up hope of his com
ing back. I know nOw-sOmething
tells me-indeed, it seems his spirit
tells me-he was lost. But I don't |
have that feeling for Yaqui and his |
party. Yaqul has given Rojas the
slip or has ambushed him in some
trap Probably that took time and a |
long journey into Sonora The Indian |
is too wise to start back now over
dry trails. He'll curb the rangers
he'll wait. seem to know this dear
Nell, so be brave, patient. Dick Gale
will come back to you"
That talk with the strong mother
worked a change in Nell and in Beld-
Ing Nell, who had done little but
brood and watch the west and take
violent rides, seemed to settle into
waiting patience that was sad yet
serene. Bedding, who had been break
ng under the strain of worry, recov-
cred himself so that to outward ap-
oearance he was his old self. He
llone knew, however, that his humor
vas forced, and that the slow burning
wrath he felt for the Chases was fam
ng into hate.
Bedding argued with himself that II
Ben Chase and his son, Radford, had
urned out to be big men in other
Ways than in the power to carry on
'reat enterprises he might have be-
ONE reeonciled to them But the
ather was greedy, grasping, hard,
old; the son added to those traits an
disposition to rule, and he
bowed a fondness for drink and
ards. These men were developing
he valley, to be sure, and a horde of
DOR Mexicans and many Americans
-ere benefting from that develop
tent; nevertheless, these Chases were
perating in way which proved they
lred only for themselves.
Bedding went to Casita with a num- .
er of his white thoroughbreds and
lipped them to ranchers and horse II
reeders in Texas. Then, being near L
lie railroad, and having time, he went
D to Tucson. There he learned some e
particulars about the II
bases. They had an office in the
ty; influential friends in the cap u
OIL They were powerful men in the u
pidly growing finance of the West
hey had interested the Southern Pa lo
&c railroad, and in the near future
anch line was to be constructed "
ON San Felipe to Forlorn River. is
lese details of the Chase develop
emit were insignificant when COM "
red TO a matter striking close home I
Belding His responsibility had
en- subtly attacked. A doubt had CO
en- cast upon his capabiIity of exc =,
ting the duties of immigration in :.
ector to the best advantage of the A
tie. Bedding OWNED that this was y
" an entering wedge. The Chases ~ ~
re bent upon driving him out Of :, =
rlorn River; but, perhaps to serve -
ter their own ends, they were pro g
ding at leisure. Bedding returned al
ne consumed by rage. But he con-
He'd it. For the first time In his ~
he was afraid of himself. He had ~
wife and Nell to think of; and the ~
law of the West had gone for W
r. Ia
Dad, there's another Rojas round an
Sc diggings," was Nell's remark, =,
sr the greetings were over and the -
al questions and answers passed. "a
elding's exclamation was cut short "a
Nells laugh. She was serious with q
ind of amused contempt.
Mr.. Radford Chase p
Now Nell, what the" roared Beld-