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a. c DESERT GOLD by Zade Grey Author of Riders of the Purple Sarfe, Wildfire, Etc. 1 * * . •' i. ■ • Copyright Hgrper S Brother* . CHAPTER XVII—Continued. , . - 17 ~ BeldinR pondered. He did not now for a moment consider nn 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; ns far as construction of a ditch was con cerned such a blast would have done more harm than good. Slowly, with reluctant feet, Beldlng 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 |n time to see the last •f the water. It seemed to sink ns In qalcksand. The nhni>e of the hole had rhangeo. The tremendous force of the blast had obstructed or diverted the underground stream of water. Reltllng’a never falling spring had been ruined What had made thla lit tle plot of ground green and sweet and fragraut was now no more. Held In* • first feeling was for the p|tj of H. He thought bow many times la the middle of hot summer alghta .he had come down to the spring to driak Never agslat The poll of dost drifting over him the die of the rolling water op at the tfom diverted Neidtng o mind |e the « ham* Ail at saeo ho was la the ha ran grip of a cold rortalaty The Moss hod hewn oet sff ta'eoifiamaIty to vmie hm spring What a > Htlsh trVt ’ an tadiaa or Met tram the of ear "Mr. you ve lasuited me- my ana How dare you? I want you to under- stand that youYp—•* “Chop that bind of talk to me. you t —r Inter rupted Beldlng. He had always been profane, and now he certainly did not choose his langusge. Chase turned livid, gasped, and teemed about to give way to fury. But something about Held* Jng evidently exerted a powerful quiet ing Influence. “If you tglk jpenae I’ll llaten,’’ went on Beldlng. '#w’ant to make a last effort to pro pitiate you." began Chase^JnJils (Jiilck. smooth voice. That was a singular change to Beldlng—the dropping In stantly Into an easy flow of speech. “You’ve had losses here, and naturally you’re sore. I don’t blame you. But you can’t see this thing from my side of the fence. Business Is business. In business the best man wins. The law- upheld those transactions of mine the honesty of which you questioned. Now I want to run that main ditch along the river, through your farm. Can’t we make a deal? I’m ready to he llb- ernl--to meet you more than halfway. I’ll glvi? you an Interest In the com pany. I think I’ve Influence enough up at the capitol to have you reinstated us Inspector. A little reasomthleueas on your part will put you right again in Forlorn River,'with a chance of grow ing rich. There’s a big future here. . . . My Interest, Beldlng. has become personal. Radford Is In love with your stepdaughter. He wants to marry her. Now lot’s get together not only In huol- pesa. but In • family way. If my son’s happiness drpepda upon having this girl, you may rest assured I’ll do all I cap to get her for h<m. I’ll absolutely asake good all your I noses. Now what do yom ppyr -NV replied Bolding "Tour rppl h«y p right of wpy perm ranch And Noll Irsopt wppt •op That settles the! “ •*yi Omso t WPS IP Stow too s 'SI opMsvg Ms m omd wash am atr ho fcmrhtad Op hP» d the gam ease pPd lt« •mmoeoaf P * ho me* 009 sag epa m «omd the heosom I so gas i m pea pa pay hmmPoo f P •oho ohms «Msms (homo Is os op hos maghwo TW emd* So pe sadPi ft I p»f Nap «om ism sot emh thorn fcpot Thmt • imps same f*-* ti •f mas ?apr% earns oml he m*mg Op (ho ooss The lamp M r aosaow Pivaa iiragssa (Pm mt P hmd Seam Ipdom omh p omP ehsrP ooo grodepPy (hmoppag hd rostplptf hmd heom ad gsspl i* tPrtt fhthpr TP* Pry air. M oml IPs gm ’i hmd maPr him sadifetf o waP ana* 'aaipSpiy w iheo he had hoem Ip mmmy •s the ring of troth rnrtR whom ho hoard It "Bo you told ray wife you’d import her secret—keep her dishonor from bet husband and daugbtorT’ demanded Beldlng. his dark gate sweeping bock from the lane. * “What! I—I—" atammerod Chasm “You made your son swear to be a man and die before he’d hint the thing to Nell?" went on Beldlng. and his volca rang louder. Ben Chase had np answer. The red left his face. His son slunk- back against the fence. “I say you never held thla aecret over the heads of my wife and her daughter?" thundered Beldlng. He had bis answer in the gray face#. In the lips that fear made mute. Like a flash Beldlng saw the whole truth of Mrg.~ Belding’s agony, the reason for her departure; he saw what had been driving Nell; and It seemed that all the dogs of hell were loosed within his heart. He struck out blindly, instinc tively in his pain, and the blow sent Ben Chase staggering into the fence corner. Then be stretched forth a long arm and whirled Radford Chase back beside his father. “And now, gentlemen," went on fiel ding, speaking low and with difficulty, “seeing I’ve turned down your proposi tion, I suppose you think you've no more call to keep your mouths shut?" The elder Chase appeared fascinated by something he cither saw or felt in Beldlng. ami his gray face grew grayer. He put up a shaking hand. Theh Rad ford Chase, livid and snarling, burst out: ‘Til talk till I'm Mark In the far* Ypu can’t stop me!" “You'll go black In the face, but It won't be from talking." hissed Beldlng. Ills big arm swept down, and when he threw It Pp the gun glittered In his ^M»nd. Blmultaoeoualy with the latter action pealed oat a shrill, penetrating whistle The whistle of p horse! It frope Hold ing's arm aloft For an Instant ho familiarity of that whistle mas tetri Me In Ita power to rob Mm of strength Them ho heard the rspfci heavy poo ad ef hoof* pad ago in the 1 ont of thh ’m a sldr n MU of day the kitchen te the porch Tm a si or men. I tell yon." Ladd was complaining, "an’ I gotta be fed. Snup! Beef lea! That ain’t so much as wind to me. I want about a barrel of bread an’ butter, an’ a whole plat ter of mashed potatoes with gravy an* green stuff—all kinds of green stuff— an’ a whole big apple pie. Give me everythin’ an’ anythin’ to eat but meat. Shore I never, never want to tuste meat again, an’ sight of a piece of sheep meat would Jest about finish me. . , . Jim, you used to be a human bein’ that stood up for Charlie Ladd." “Laddy, I’m lined no beside you with guns,” replied Jim, plaintively. Sgy, the smell of break- Hly •Ml ■MM lp>« the yard Idahhs A ta hoot rods him I i got 1 1 pod late the y a hall, o hist Hag h> saw a stun shadow of a word eJ> great Mark eysm Jut! rams rvs<M*d f*wm her g iSSsm hair dytam •MotrotchodL her flaw man both “Hungry? fast in that kitchen made my mouth water so I near choked to death. I reckon we’re gettin’ most onhuman treatment." “But I'm a sick man," protested Ladd, “an* I’m agoin* to fall over in a minute if somebody don’t feed me. Nell, you used to be fond of me.” "Oh, Laddy, I am yet,” replied Nell. “Shore, I don’t believe it. Any girl with a tender heart Just couldn’t let a man starve under her eyes. . . . Look at Dick, there. I’ll bet he’s had something to eat, mebbe potatoes an’ gravy, an* pie an—" “Laddy, Dick has hod no more than I gave you—indeed, not nearly so much." “Shore he’s had a lot of kisses then, for he hasn’t hollered onct about this treatment." - “I’erhaps he has,” said Nell, with a blush; "snd If you think that—they would help you to be reasonable I might—m—- "Well, powerful food aa I am of you. Juat now klases’ll have to mo secood to breed an' butter." “Oh. LadAy, what • gallant speech T*! *“* think laughed Nell. *Tm aorry, bat I’ve dad's order*" “Laddy." Interrupted fielding, "you’ve ' yo«r p got la be bmko ta grodaally to eating The Now you kuww that You'd he the as- fare, i voresf klA of a baaa If you had seat* moat I ■mnmd -Hat I ra Ladd “You wore never atrft In yuur Mfcl T nmd If nil (ho balk* holes | see la too soot simply, “Hut mi he beltM ••• her* Dick. I hne« the gtfl Bhell r * fuse to marry you slid y«u'll bur # hard Job to break her down, as bsH as thr-'ona you Just rode in off of. 1 think 1 know ypu. too, 'or I w-mildn’t be saying—" “For God’s sake, you don’t believe what Chase said?” queried Gale. In passionate baste. “It’s a lie. I, swear It’a a lie. I know it's a Hr. And I’ve got to tell Noll this minute. Come ^n In with me. I want you, Beldlng. Oh, why didn’t you tell mehooner?" Beldlng felt himself dragged bf an Iron arm into the kitting room, opt into the patio, and across that to where Nell sat in her door. At sight of them she gave a little cry, drooped for an In stant, Aien raised a pale, still face, with eyes beginning to darken., "Dearest, I. know now why you are not wearing ray mother’s ring,” said Gale, steadily and low-voiced. “Dick, I am not worthy," she re plied, and held out a trembling hand with the ring lying in the palm. Swift as light Gale caught her hand and slipped the ring back upon the third finger. “Nell! Look at me. It is your en gagement ring. . . . Listen. I don’t believe this—this thing that’s been tor turing you. I know It’s a lie. I am absolutely sure your mother will prov# it a He. She must have suffered once— perhaps there was a sad error—but the thing you fear Is not true. But, hear me, dearest; even If It was true It wouldn't make the slightest dlfferencu to me. F want you all the more to bu my wife—to let me make you forget— to—" She rose swiftly with the passlonatu abandon of a woman stirred to her depths, and sbe kissed him. * “Oh. iMck, youTe good—so good! You’ll never know—Just what those words ptean to me. They’ve saved mu NERVOUS WOMAN COMPLETE WIEMj ham’flV» O' Telit How She Wat i E. Pml Compound Well by Lydia E. Pmkham Vegetable ( Indianapolis, Indiana.—"Now I want i tall vou hut what induced me to tan ma to tell you, .. . “your medicine. It aeemed that I had some kind of weak- so that I could time. The last time I was troubled this way I had a ner vous breakdown and was a complete wreck. The doctor , thought I would not live, and if 1 did that - I would never be weU ynd strong again. But I told them I was going to get well, that I was not going to die just then. My husband got me Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Com pound and I took six bottles of it. I soon got strong again and had three more children. I nave recommended the Vegetable Compound ever since, and if vou could see me now you yrould think I had always been well."—Mrs. Mart F. Herrick, 234 Detroit St, Indian apolis, Ind. Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Com pound is an excellent n^dicine for ex pectant mothers and should be taken during the entire period. It has a gen eral effect to strengthen and tone up tb« entire reproductive system, so that it may work in every respect effectually as nature intend* CORNS dearest, it s sll right r Dirk eagerly,. “You will keep ilse? Y<ra win marry raeT* w. Ike light faded out of her -fc RW Lift Off with Fingers yew. why. you •1th I’d die for youL* •! I mm SeV gpsnug Ladd. OKU thought soiidas outuwttara “Mf Cluu4. I used revolve *• ura^e ■huso I’ve forgo* NeH. If Thej lew • sot 90 ho reWMioled te ray gal- rao* 4tt) I Of ooget* Jura dad rae a pipe aa' “No* Hd 1*r« 1 |Urh • heart. Tve hues ray pipe.* setd Jura theeghtfuHy T re*h«et | hod li ee^ ly hi ray graeih for sevoa years «v ra* asset M Leddyi A Meg Hera* I ree see the rod la«a ae the rod hear ad t Hr oo# aoS sera ho see rt»ert> W1 tore ooo this hoe HUee hofseo M o brag IM* shrank so fs- e tragi i ra ISO eashlahrs of ton ere. pi aural <4 dsetht Hot the eyed wee heoe eed hind T shore ora gtod t* soo you sll red toilsghl i roe pi* hra uh* Saras hraety, Th eed ole ays (hot ooful •leuys Vegel outrhte t Lrahly oMh his rfurhee* uh I* ••• raorherT- rvtsd Nod As ho eous. ah I He Wee Laet oat tl to he a foe 1 • a Yagul I d y<rar sou l-egaa to roar toi luar Heiiitua paid ao sum bo hever glanced Tlie elder rha*r oh«t ooo that tgrvrade ; rse»ssasd Mr (toto * Ws osee hod If fngatreed oMit Miso No* carae I t* •* Wr fvorod II e as aa rufth teaks" "t “Well. Ml leg you, Mr Col*, oe’vo Had oesoe poo Soo here, hot eoee of r thora could hold a roadie le this Jar ur Jast had * Then fielding rtpUined • hat had caused the eapkotoa. sad ohy It had been set .df s<> rbor to his property Heavy steps s<>uaded outside nn the flagstones, then the door rattled un ' ''hecked a violent start, der u strong knock. Beldlng opened ! "My sea’s offer of tnarrlafe Is an It The ('bases, father and soa. stood * honor- more an honor, sir, than you beyond the threshold. "Good morning. Beldlng." sold the elder idisse "We were routed out early by that big blast and cnine up to nee whst w*s wrong All a blunder. The Grentier foreman was drunk ye* terdii\. nnil hi* Ignorant men made n mistake. Sorry If tlie blast bothered you. I was a Utile worried—you’ve always been so touchy—we never could get together. I hurried over, fearlrig maybe you might think the blast—you see. Beldlng—’’ “I st'e this. Mr. Ben Chase,” inter rupted fielding, in curt and ringing voic e. “Tlie blast was a mistake, tlie biggest you ever made in your life.” “What do you mean?” demanded Chase. "You'll have 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 Jou’d wait a little.” osuu «uag drawl CMAWTI* XVIII HoaMty Agaraul Dkrh (raw was scoadrag hnuod over NMfs •light faros akrawsl Mddsu la Ms arras Balding hogged gram hetfei Mr uao Hbo a hwy Ho sow Hru lira so owl Mb asm slip away uwder I the tror* hut ihnlH < aumahi as asm at Shipg to hlra thoa ~IUrh ’ Dkrh “* he roared “to H fMak'a -I k give Nell t« ll Matfford • tlmfate rage ; tUra to hlra; at the y<>ung perhaps are aware of.” Beldlng made no reply. He waited coldly, sure of himself. "Mr*. Beldlng'* daughter ha* no right to tlie name of Burton." snapped Chose. “Did you know that?" "I did not,” replied Beldlng. quietly. “Well, you know it now," added Chase, bitingly. “Sure you can prove what you say?" queried Beldlng, in the same coni, un emotional tone. It struck hinl strange ly at the moment whnt little knowledge tills man had of the West and of west ern character. , ‘Trove it? Why, yes, I think so, enough to make tlie truth plain,to any reasonable man. I come from Peoria —was horn and raised there. I went to school with Nell Warren. That was your wife’s maiden name. She was a beautiful, gay girl. I knew Bolt Burton well. He was a splendid'TeUow" but “Nell going away!” exclaimed Rad ford Chase. He reminded fielding of an overgrown boy in disappointment. “Ye*. But—Ml*s fiurton to you. young man—" ' “Mr Beldlng. I certainly would pre fer * conference with you right now.’* Interposed the/elder Chase, rutting abort Bel.Hug * strange *pee< h. "There are other matters—important matter* to dlarus* They’ve got to be settled. May we atep i* airr .• “S®. y«u may am.- replied Holding, bluntly *Tra sure panlcular who 1 Invite Into ay honae But m go with wild. Nobody ever knew for suro, hut we all supposed iie was engaged to marry Nell". He left Peoria, however, and soon after that the truth about Nell ciHiie out. She ran away. It was at least a couple of month* before Bur ton showed up in Peoria. He did not stay long. Then for years nothing was heard of either of them. When word did come Nell waa in t>klahonia. Bur ton wqs in Denver. There's a chance, of course, that Burton followed Nell and married her. That would aertmut vou? ... Bay., who do you here here. In FueWm River?" tt was then three urare persons raise upon the Men®—Klale Gale, running swiftly, her father assisting Mrs. Gale, who appeared shout to faint. "Holding' Who on earth's that?" cried Dick, hoarsely. “tjalen sahe. tny son." replied Beld lng ; and now hja voice seemed a little shaky. “Nell, come here. Give hlra a chaace." Beldlng slipped his arm round Nall, and whispered In her ear. ’Thla'll be great!" Elsie Gale’s fare was white and agi tated. a face expressing extreike Joy. “Oh, brother! Mamma saw you— papa saw non. and never knew you! But I knew you when you Jumped quick—that way—off your horse. And now I don’t know you. You wild man ! You giant! You splendid barbarian! . . . Mamma, papa* hurry! It is Dick! Look at him. Just look at him! oh-h, thank God!’’ Bolding turned away and drew Nell with him. In another second she and What’s wrong? Mercedes were, clasped in each other’s arms. Then followed a time of Joyful greetings all round. Diablo found his old spirit-; Blanco Sol tossed Iris head and whistled bis satisniction; White Woman pranced to and fro: and pres- *1 carhop LraMy epp teti ail that hoot; MM Whop It copra la Rajas' tab ra tall what I am. aa' rail Inch aa' Tbonra LaAdy adaaed Rojas’ to tab Bar a uao. that aaa the—“ Tra a sirk aa* hat I raa talk." pal la Ladd “aa’ shoe* I don't spat the • h#*W story exaggerated aoae by Jim ' Ladd filled the pipe Nell brought, puffed ecstatically at It. aad settled himself upoa the hetich for a long talk. He talked for two bAurs- talked till hi* *i ire weakened |o I strepralag “Yog wig got? it* I eggi **ar H ’ toes ra pewgd* AhdL I ■rag. logg hot* I Mil tall hat! Itsasa. pkrgee tog*? * ffto M h^ qv«*ag aswra Bha aeedal ever kgoa - stoat rae. Itogra drail go!* "NMI, Fra ssevy I tots to hurt yog Hat y*w f ec»gg You rgg*i sew thaggo rteariy This la yaga > spy la ess Ira fightigg fse A*d »Ca rat Ufa . , . Walt hara. dear I seal ha Wrag" Gale rag acaraa lira pgtla aad dta Noil *oaa la the tf lint rarau ssugo Mara tf yon gf| TYgttl M PlgM sC Vsrar 4rra rgira aato i “Tvoorarao* fra a too ( In fuaraso i •ray HM « ra «ran wti soon lira Hm Mson. oi«M raa ». sn. ■ ttgj •a«* l oral the oe trvtt d r r • eyes to fully They «ailed wtihout spooking It if eJ p l«gg ptOio hof'ws Gale r® turgsd Holding thrilled at stgM off him There usa more hoy shout Mat than Heldtag had ever seep iHck was owning swiftly flushed glowlgg. eager, | alnrarat smiling “1 t<4d them. 1 swore It was a He. I wopted them to decide as tf tt ware true. I didn’t have ta waste a A a fan toray—“BHe had aa egggi- ■d fare/nf gahra taw took ta® f at cat fowtur*’* wregpkeo that ra Tfuaecript » o a mi ® f husky wkitper At the conrlualon of | minute on Elsie. She loves you. Nell, his story there was an Impressive al ienee. Then Elsie Gale stood up. and with her band oo Dick’s shoulder, her eyes bright and warm as sunlight, she showed the rangers what a woman thought of them and of the Yaqul. Nell clung to Dick, weeping silently. Mrs. Gale waa overcome, and Mr. Gale, very white and quiet, helped her up to her room. Early In the afternoon of the next day Beldlng encountered Dick at the water bqrrel. » “Belding, this la river water, and muddy at that,” said Dick. “Lord knows I’m not kicking. Tint I’ve dreamed some of our cool running spring, and I want a drink from it.” “Never again, son. The spring’s gone, faded, sunk, dry as dust.” “Dry!" Gale slowly straightened. “We’ve had rains. Tlie river’s full. The spring our to be overflowing.* Why Is it dry?’’ "Dick, .seeing you’re interested, I Baby. Wat Pale and He Did Not Seem to Grow ently they all settled down to quiet grazing. How good it was for Belding to see those white shapes against the rich background of green I His eyes glistened. It was a sight he had never expected to see again. He lingered there many moments when he wanted to hurry back to his rangers. At last he tore himself away from watching Blanca Diablo and returned to the house. It was only to find that he might have spared himself the hur ry. Jim ■and Ladd were lying on the beds that had sot held them for so i may as well tell you that a big charge of nitroglycerin choked my spring.’’ "Nitroglycerin?’’ echoed Gale. Then he gave a quick start. “My mind’s been, on home,_Neil. my family. The governor la rraay about you. I didn't have to waste two minutes on him. Mother used ip the time. She wanted to know all there was to tell. She Is proud, yes; but. Nell, I wish you could have seen how she took tha —the story about you. Why. ske never thought of me at all, until sha had cried over you. Nell, ahe loves yo* too. They all love you. Oh, It’s so good to tell you. I think mother realizes the part you have had in tht —what shall I call It?—the regenera tion of Richard Gal* Doesn't that sound fine? Darling, mother not only consents, she wants you K> be my wife. Do you hear that? And listen—she had me in a corner and, of course, being my mother, she put on the screws. She made me promise that we’d, live in the East half the year. That means Chi cago, Cape May, New York—you see, I'm not exactly the lost son any more. Why, Nell, dear, you’ll have to learn wh’o Dick Gale refifiy, is. But I al ways want to be the ranger-ypu helped me become, and ride Blanco Sdh-jmd see a little of the desert. Don’t let the- Idea of big cities frighten yon. We’ll p ut always love the open places best. Now, Nell, say you’ll forget this trouble. I know it’ll come all right. Say you'll marry me soon. . . . Why, dearest yon’re crying*. . . Nell!” (TO BB CONTINUED.) for Noll Warren taking the oame «< Huanra Ru« It taatltkotr Nrara off us | many araraih# Their MulMrar teemed f bvuuk aad troraor 10* ever heard wifb • thing and aa dr®p and quiet an death Curienatj Noll had been touaded by Radford ■outdal have believed It If we trad. > Beta lag gated dovu ugratothea. Ig a ra isera of aransraaeni—•has I ■ and reward «ralj hoof and *«rar o its n* an aM artoat t Ttotr rtsnara worn a tatters Jtaa ep- I Hgatafl ta® taflag rag a Rad pan's* kart la rases ttoa akin nrafl all the same I felt sometiiing was wrong here with the ranch, with you. with Nell. . . . Beldlng, that ditch there is dry. The roaes are dead. The little green' In that grass has come with the rblWi. What’s happened? The ranch’s run down. Now I look ' Mu#ie for Starving Russians, around I see a change.” A traveler who recently made a tour “Some change, yea." replied fielding, through the principal citira of Russia bitterly. “Listen, son." j ttarvlng. Briefly; but not the leas forcibly !hw *■ mu * ,c ln ■ M * T ^ t <»*>»**» tor that. Beldlng related his story 0 P* r * ■ Bd on-hestra •** to bn found of the operations of the Chases everywhere aad the concerts are all With deep voice that had many a ••N Miended J» »"'*« r »*^ the pee. attended. MM R aft on happens chat If the hah) a stomach |s out of order he dors not aaetiullate his food and stops crowing. Thla was the Troubit with Mrs. A. L. Wllllmns' baby. M William* Uvea at Itaceiiood. Ga.. writes: "My baby never seemed to grow and was pale and sallow. My sl*ter told me to give him Teethlnu. a* she gave It to her baby, Who la as fat as a pig. I took her advice, and In a week my baby was Completely changed. HI* complexion cleared up and lie started growing.’’ Teethlna corrected her baby’s stom ach trouble so he could digest and assimilate ids food, which Is abso lutely essential to baby’s health and growth. Teethlna is hold by all druggists, or send 30c to the Moffet Laborato ries and get a package of Teethina and a wonderful free booklet about Baby.—Advertisentent. > >\* Flavoring Roquefort Cheea©. Holes In Roquefort cheese (ire placed there by machinery to admlf air aud enable the mold grow, thus gLvlng the desired flavor. Losing Weight—In Butter. “You don't look as fat as you were.” "Well, I b«it two pound* the other day.” “Dear, dear!" “Ye*. It was-dear. I left n parcel of >atter on the train rack.”—I^mjon Tlt- Blt*. m « in Sure Relief ftttJNDIGCSnOM ilurana 1