The Lamar register., 1923-03-14
Continued from Page Two)


tie plot of ground green and sweet
and fragrant was now no more. Beld-
lng's first feeling was for the pity OF
1t. He thought how many times in the
middle of hot summer nights he had
come down to the spring to drink.
Never again!
The pail of dust drifting over him,
the din of the falling water up at the
dam. diverted Belding's mind to the
Chases All at once he was in the
harsh grip of a cold certainty. The
blast had been set of Intentionally TO
ruin his spring. What hellish trick
No westerner. no Indian or Mexican,
no desert man could have been guilty
OF such crime. To ruin a beautiful,
clear. cool, never-falllng stream of
water In the desert
II was then that Belding's worry
and Indecision and brooding were as
If they had never existed. He went
directly to his room, and with an air
that was now final he buckled on his
gun belt. He looked the gun over and
tried the action. He squared himself
and walked little more erect. Some
long-lost individuality had returned to
Belding.
Let's see" he was saying. 81 can
get Carter to send the horses I've got
left back to Waco to my brother. I'll
make Nell take what money there Is
and 20 hunt up her mother The
Gales are ready to go-today. If say
the word. Nell can travel with them
part way East. That's your game.
Tom Belding. don't mistake me"
As he went out he encountered Mr..
Gale coming up the walk. The long
sojourn at Forlorn River. despite the
fact that II had been laden with sus-
pense which was gradually changing
to a sad certainty. had been OF great
benefit to Dicks father. The dry air
the heat. and the quiet had made him
II not entirely a well man, certainly
stronger than he had been In many
years.
"Belding. what was that terrible
roarr' asked Mr. Gale. 1--WE were
badly frightened until Miss Nell came
to us. We feared II was an earth
quake"
well, I'll tell you, Mr.. Gale; we've
had some quakes here. but none OF
them could hold q candle to this jar
we just had"
Then Bedding explained what had
Caused the explosion, and why IL had
been set OFF SO close to bis property.
Heavy steps sounded outside on the
fagstones, then the door ratified un'
der a strong knock. Belding opened
II. The Chases, father and son, stood
beyond the threshold.
Good morning. Belding." said the
elder Chase I'VE were routed out
early by that big blast and came up
TO see what was wrong. All blunder
The Greaser foreman was drunk yes
terday, and his ignorant men made a
mistake. Sorry II the blast bothered
YOU. / was little worried-youVs
always been so tOuchy-we never
could get together | hurried over.
fearing maybe you might think the
blast-you see. Belding-"
II see this. Mr. Ben Chase" Inter
rupted Belding. in curt and ringing
voice. The blast was mistake, the
biggest you ever made in your life"
What do you meanr' demanded
Chase.
you'll have to excuse me ioT
while. unless you're dead set on haN-
ing It out right now. Mr.. Gale and his
family are leaving and my daughter
is going with them. I'd rather you'd
walt little"
Nell going away" exclaimed Rad
ford Chase. He reminded Belding of
an overgrown boy In disappointment.
yes. But-Miss Burton to you,
young man
MIR. Belding. certainly would pre-
fer conference with you right now,
Interposed the elder Chase, cutting
short Beldings strange speech. There
are other matters-important matters
10 discuss. They've got to be settled.
May we step in, sir7
NO, you may not" replied Beldins,
bluntly. I'm sure particular who
Invite into my house. But I'll go with
YOU"
BeIding stepped out and closed the
door Come away from the house so
tbe women won't hear the-the talk,
The elder Chase was purple with
rage vet seemed to be controlling IT.
The Younger man looked black. sullen'
ImnotIent. Ben Chase found his voice
ahout the time Belding halted under
the trees out of earshot from the