The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-12
Nhe GAY BANDIT
. ~ Of tie BORD Z!
SD "~SRL~->1 81 TOM GILL

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he would have met you himself. Bob
was terribly sorry until told him
I'd rescue you. And tonight you'll
be together. Meanwhile, you are to
rest or ride, or do whatever you like,
but tonight Aunt Clara, the majors
wife, is having you to dinner. Bob
will be there"
"And in the meantime can I ride
with your"
Those coppery curls cleaned as
she shook her head. mot this after
noon. After drop you at Bob's,
I'm going down to Mexico"
"Mexico?"
Isl, my home. The boundary line
runs through Verdi. I live twenty
miles south of the line-on a ranch"
"You have cattle!"
Again she smiled. 1.-TWO or three"
Once more he breathed deeply and
looked about him. "It's queer" he
exclaimed at last. "It's almost like
coming home. And yet I've never
been here, but my father told me 50
much of this border country. He
lived here years and years ago.
When I was a kid I could name
every waterhole and ranchhouse
around Verdi. and all morning I've
had that strange feeling of return.
ing-of coming back to = place I've
never really been"
"You are from the East?"
"I've lived East most of my life,
but I was born near the desert.
Later lived in Denver, I learned
Spanish there, and as q Kid must
have prowled around with every
sheepherder in Colorado" His voice
stopped. II haven't many happy
memories of Denver" Then his eyes
grew somber, he fell silent and, busy
with their own thoughts, they drove
steadily across the glistening sands.
A gate doomed up ahead of them,
and passing through it, the girl
stopped the car before low adobe
bungalow. About it stretched thick
lawns, their cool greenness beckon.
ing in welcome contrast to the drab
browns of the desert. Vines covered
the adobe walls. Two servants ran
out and in answer to the girls brief
orders carried Radcliffe's bags and
trunk into the house. Reluctantly he
stepped from the car.
i hate to let you CO." he told her,
but you've been a dear to bring me
over"
She held out a slim hand. Moth
Ing. Bobs friends are mine. Adios."
The cool little hand seemed to lie
80 trustingly in his, and again he
[elt his pulse quicken. Not adios.
For ! will see you again. won't II"
The wide eyes looked steadily
down at him. the lips moved In .
tiny smile. DO you really want to,
Ted Radcliffe?"
! want to very much. And I also
want to know your name"
She laughed. II wonder. But you
will know it. big man. And you'll
llso see me-soon."
Then with . little nod and q
friendly wave. she left him standing
before the steps Of the bungalow.
He watched her throw the long car
into gear and start away. He was
still watching when she passed the
gate and vanished down the dusty
road.
His first day had begun quietly
But before that first day ended Il
was destined to throw Ted Radcliffe
headlong into conflict with the great.
est powers of all the border country.
Yet the morning held no clora. fss
spent it rambling about the ranch.
house, unpacking and writing. con-
scious only Of a serene sense Of welt
being. After long days Of train tray-
81 the desert air was like wine. and
that world Of throbbing sunlight and
OF Tar horizons. the rising, simmer
ing heat waves and the purple hills
Of Mexico-all these were to him
the fulfllment Of some promise long
deferred. -
(Te D centisued)