The Lamar register., 1923-03-21

of nitrOglycerin chOked my spring
"Nitroglycerin?" echoed Gale Then
he gave quick start. MY minds
been on home. Nell, my family, But
all the same | felt something was
wrong here with the ranch. with you
with Nell Beldng, that ditch
there is dry The roses are dead. The
little green In that grass has come
with the rains. What's happenedf
The ranch's run down. Now I look
around see change"
Some change. yes" replied Belding,
bitterly. Listen. son"
Briefly. but not the less forcibly
for that Bedding related his story
of the operations of the Chases.
With deep voice that had many
break and tremor he told Gale how
Nell had been bounded by Radford
Chase. how her mother had been
driven by Ben Chase-the whole sad
story.
so that's the trouble Poor little
girl" murmured Gale, brokenly. 81
felt something was wrong. Nell wasn't
natural. like her old self"
at was hard on Nell" said Belding.
here Dick. / know the girl. She'll re-
fuse TO marry you and you'll have
hard job TO break her down, as hard
as the one you just rode in on of. I
think | know you, too. or wouldn't
be saying"
For Gods sake, you don't believe
what Chase snidT" queried Gale, in
passionate haste. Its lie swear
it's lie. | know It's lie. And I've
got 10 tell Nell this minute Come on
In with me | want you, Belding. Oh,
why didn't you tell me sooner1'
Beldlng felt himself dragged by an
iron arm into the sitting room. out into
the patio, and across that TO where Nell
sat in her door. At sight of them she
gave u little cry. dropped for an in
stant, then raised pale. still face.
with eyes beginning to dnrken.
Dearest, | know now why you are
not wearing my mothers ring" said
Gale, steadily and low-volced.
"Dick. am not worthy" she re-
piled, and held out trembling hand
with the ring lying in the palm.
Swift us light Gale caught her hand
third finger.
"Ncl Look at me 1t is your en-
gagement ring. Listen. don't
believe thls-this thing that's been tor
turing you. | know It's lie. | am
absolutely sure your mother viii prove
It II lie. She must have suffered once
pF ha bttt a
thing you fear Is not true But, hear
me, dearest; even II 1t was true 1t
wouldn't make the slightest difference
to me. | want you all the more to be
my wife-to let me make you forget
to"
She rose swiftly with the passionate
abandon OF woman stirred to her
depths. and she kissed him.
"oh, Dick. you're good-so good
You'Il never know-Just what those
words mean to me. They've saved me
i think"
''Then, dearest. it's all right7' Dick
questioned eagerly. You Will keep
your promise? You will marry me?"
The glow. the light faded out of her
face, and now the blue eyes were al
most black. She dropped and shook
her head.
They had forgotten Belding, who
stepped back into the shade.
81 love you with my whole heart and
soul. I'd die for you," whispered Nell,
with clenching hands. But | won't
disgrace you. Dick. you give not one
thought to your family. Would they
receive me as your wlfe?"
'They surely would" replied Gale,
steadily.
mol oh nor
You're wrong, Nell. I'm glad you
said that. You give me a chance to
prove something. I'll go this minute
and tell them all. I'll be back here in
less than"
Dick, you will not tell her-your
motherf" cried Nell. with her eyes
streaming. "You will not? Oh, can't
bear 1t She's SO proud And. Dick,
l love her. Don't tell her Please,
please don't Shell be going soon. She
needn't ever know-about me. Please
don't gor
Nell, I'm sorry. / hate to hurt you.
But you're wrong You can't see things