The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-03-23

Dich houeshiy Iepiicu tnut ne COuiu,
according to the eastern idea OF
horsemanship.
The ringing Of a bell. which Bel.
ding said was call to supper, turned
the men back toward the house It
was not until they reached 1t xnd
were about to go in that Belding
Glanced to discover Gales crippled
hand.
"What an awful handw he ex-
claimed. where the devil did you
get that?"
'T stove in my knuckles on Rojas."
replied Dick.
you did that In one punchl Say.
I'm glad 1t wasn't me you hitl Why
didn't you tell mel That's a bad
hand. Those cuts are full of dirt
and sand. Infammation's setting in.
It's got to be dressed. NelIl" he
called. 4
Dick saw a glimpse of golden hair
and white dress In the door. But
they were not visible longer than .
second.
"Dad, what's the matterT asked
voice that was still as sweet as
formerly, but now rather small and
constrained.
"Bring the antiseptics, cotton, ban
dages-and things out here. Hurry,
now."
Bedding fetched a pail of water
and basin from the kitchen. His
wife followed him out, and. upon see
ing Dicks hand, was all solicltude
Then Dick heard light, quick foot
steps, but he did not look up.
"Nell, this is Mr.. Gale-Dlck Gale.
who came with the boys last night"
said Belding. Hes got an awful
hand. Got 1t punching that Greaser
Rojas. / want you to dress 1t.
Gale, this is my stepdaughter. Nell
Burton, of whom spoke. She's
some good when there's somebody
sick or hurt. Shove out your fist, my
boy, and let her get at 1t. Supper's
nearly ready"
Dick felt that same strange, quick
ening heart throb, yet he had never
been cooler In his life. More than
anything else In the world he wanted
to look at, Nell Burton; however, di.
yining that the situation might be
embarrassing to her, he refrained
from looking up. SIZE began to bathe
his injured knuckles. He noted the
softness, the deftness of her touch,
and tren 1t seemed her fingers were
not quite as steady as they might
have been. Still, In a moment they
appeared to become surer in their
work. When she SAT- down beside him
and rested his Injured hand in her
lap as she cut bandages, she was 50
thrillingly near that he yielded to an
irrepressible desire to look up. She
had sweet, fair face warmly tinted
with that same healthy golden-brown
sunburn. Her hair was light gold
and abundant, waving mass. Her
eyes were shaded by long, downcast
lashes, yet through them he caught
CLEAN Of blue.
Despite the stir within him, Gale,
seeing she was now absorbed In her
task, critically studied her with Sec
ond closer gaze. She was a sweet,
wholesome, joyous, pretty girl.
ashore It musta hurt?" inquired
Laddy, who sat an interested specta-
tor.
"Yes, I confess 1t did," replied
Dick slowly, with his eyes on Nell's
face. But l didn't mind"
The girls lashes swept up swiftly
In surprise. She had taken his words
literally. But the dark-blue eyes met
his for only fleetlDg second. Then
| the warm tint In her cheeks turned
as red as her lips. Hurrledly she
finished tying the bapdage and rose
to her feet.
II thank you," said Gale. also ris-
the doorway, and, finding the opera
tion concluded, called them In to sup
per. After the meal, having favor
able opportunity when for moment
no one was at hand. Dick went out
through the yard, past the gardens
and fields, and climbed the first knoll.
Westward the setting sun gllded q
| spiked, frost-colored, limitless ex-
panse Of desert. It awed Gale. What
a strange, gray, somber place There
was lighter strip Of gray winding
down between darker hues. This he
realized presently was the river bed
and he saw now the pools Of water
narrowed and diminished In size till
they lost themselves In gray sand.
This was the rainy season, near its
end, and here a little river struggled
hopelessly, forlornly to live In the
desert. He received a potent impress
sion Of the nature Of that blasted age
worn waste which he had OWNED
was to give him strength and work
and love.