Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-05-17
CHAPTER xviI-continued.

Bedding pondered. He did not now
Cor a moment consider an accidental
discharge Of dynamite. But why had
this blast been set off? The loose
sandy soil had yielded readily to
shovel; there were no rocks; as far
as construction of a ditch was con-
cerned such a blast would have done
more harm than good
Slowly, with reluctant feet, Bedding
walked toward a green hollow, where
In a cluster of willows lay the never
falling spring that his horses loved so
well. and, indeed, which he loved no
less.
He was just in time to see the last
of the water. 1t seemed to sink as in
quicksand. The shape of the hole had
changed. The tremendous force of
the blast had INSTRUCTED or diverted
the underground stream of water.
Belongs never-failing spring had
been ruined What had made this lit
tie plot of ground green and sweet
and fragrant was now no more. Beld-
ing's first feeling was for the pity of
it. 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 Belongs mind to the
Chases. All at once he was in the
harsh grip of cold certainty. The
blast had been set off Intentionally to
ruin his spring. What hellish trick
No westerner, no Indian or Mexican,
mo desert man could have been guilty
of such a crime. To ruin a beautiful,
clear, cool, never-failing stream of
water in the desert
1t was then that Belongs 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
gong-lost individuality had returned to
Bedding.
Lets see," he was saying. II can
get Carter to send the horses I've got
left back to Waco to my brother. I'll
make Nell take what money here is
and go 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 Bedding, 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 it had been laden with a 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,
If not entirely well man, certainly
stronger than he had been in many
years.
aBelding, what was that terrible
roar2" asked Mr.. Gale. "We were
badly frightened until Miss Nell came
to us. We feared it was an earth
quake"
"Well, I'll tell you, Mr.. Gale; we've
had some quakes here, but none of
them could hold candle to this jar
we just had"
Then Bedding explained what had
caused the explosion, and why it had
been set off so close to his property.
Heavy steps sounded outside on the
dagstones, then the door ratified I'M
der a strong knock. Bedding opened
1t. The Chases, father and son, stood
beyond the threshold
NJ
elder Chase. Eve were routed out
early by that big blast and came up
to see what was wrong. All a blunder.
The Greaser foreman was drunk yes
terday, and his ignorant men made
mistake. Sorry if the blast bothered
you. was little worried-you'v
always been so touchy-we never
could get together. / hurried over,
fearing maybe you might think the
blast-you see, Bedding"
ST see this, Mr.. Ben Chase" inter-
rupted Bedding, in curt and ringing
voice "The blast was a mistake. the
biggest you ever made in your life"
What do you meanY demanded
Chase.
you'll nave to excuse me for a
while, unless you're dead set on hav-
ing it out right now. Mr.. Gale and his
family are leaving, and my daughter
is going with them. I'd rather you'd
wait a little"
Nell goings awayI" exclaimed Rad
ford Chase. He reminded Relding of
an overgrown boy in disappointment.
Eyes. But-Miss Burton to you,
young man"
''Mr. Bedding, certainly would pre-
fer a conference with you right now,
lnterposed the elGer Chase, cutting
short Belongs strange speech. "There
are other matters-important matters
to discuss. They've got to be settled.
May we step in, sir?"
mo, you may not" replied Bedding,
bluntly. "Pm sure particular who /
Invite into my house. But TIL go with
you"
Bedding stepped out and closed the
door. "Come away from the house SO
the women won't hear the-the talk"
The elder Chase was purple with
rage, yet seemed to be controlling it.
The younger man looked black, sullen,
impatient. Ben Chase found his voice
about the time Bedding halted under
the trees out of earshot from the
house.
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