household could not have been kinder to a sister or a daughter. But their united efforts were unavailing. Mercedes seemed to accept with fatalistic hopelessness a last and crowning misfortune.
A dozen times Gale declared he would ride in to Casita and find out why they did not hear from Thorne; however, older and wiser heads prevailed over his impetuosity. Belding was not sanguine over the safety of the Casita trail. Refugees from there arrived every day in Forlorn River, and if tales they told were true, real war would have been preferable to what was going on along the border. Belding and the rangers and the Yaqui held a consultation. Not only had the Indian become a faithful servant to Gale, but he was also of value to Belding. Yaqui had all the craft of his class, and superior intelligence. His knowledge of Mexicans was second only to his hate of them. And Yaqui, who had been scouting on all the trails, gave information that made Belding decide to wait some days before sending any one to Casita. He required promises from his rangers, particularly Gale, not to leave without his consent.
It was upon Gale's coming from this conference that he encountered Nell. Since the interrupted siesta episode she had been more than ordinarily elusive, and about all he had received from her was a tantalizing smile from a distance. He got the impression now, however, that she had awaited him. When he drew close to her he was certain of it, and he experienced more than surprise.
'Dick,' she began, hurriedly. 'Dad's not going to send any one to see about Thorne?'
'No, not yet. He thinks it best not to. We all think so. I'm sorry. Poor Mercedes!'
'I knew it. I tried to coax him to send Laddy or even Yaqui. He wouldn't listen to me. Dick, Mercedes is dying by inches. Can't you see what ails her? It's more than love or fear. It's uncertainty–suspense. Oh, can't we find out for her?'
'Nell, I feel as badly as you about her. I wanted to ride in to Casita. Belding shut me up quick, the last time.'
Nell came close to Gale, clasped his arm. There was no color in her face. Her eyes held a dark, eager excitement. 'Dick, will you slip off without Dad's consent? Risk it! Go to Casita and find out what's happened to Thorne–at least if he ever started for Forlorn River?'
'No, Nell, I won't do that.'
She drew away from him with passionate suddenness.
'Are you afraid?'
This certainly was not the Nell Burton that Gale knew.
'No, I'm not afraid,' Gale replied, a little nettled.
'Will you go–for my sake?' Like lightning her mood changed and she was close to him again, hands on his, her face white, her whole presence sweetly alluring.
'Nell, I won't disobey Belding,' protested Gale. 'I won't break my word.'
'Dick, it'll not be so bad as that. But–what if it is?...Go, Dick, if not for poor Mercedes's sake, then for mine–to please me. I'll–I'll...you won't lose anything by going. I think I know how Mercedes feels. Just a word from Thorne or about him would save her. Take Blanco Sol and go, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever ride you down on that horse? Why, Dick, if I was up on Sol I wouldn't be afraid of the whole rebel army.'
'My dear girl, it's not a question of being afraid. It's my word–my duty to Belding.'
'You said you loved me. If you love me you will go...You don't love me!'
Gale could only stare at this transformed girl.
'Dick, listen!...If you go–if you fetch some word of Thorne to comfort Mercedes, you–well, you will have your reward.'
'Nell!'
Her dangerous sweetness was as amazing as this newly revealed character.
'Dick, will you go?'
'No-no!' cried Gale, in violence, struggling with himself. 'Nell Burton, I'll tell you this. To have the reward I want would mean pretty hear heaven for me. But not even for that will I break my word to your father.'
She seemed the incarnation of girlish scorn and wilful passion.
'Gracias, senor,' she replied, mockingly. 'Adios.' Then she flashed out of his sight.
Gale went to his room at once, disturbed and thrilling, and did not soon recover from that encounter.
The following morning at the breakfast table Nell was not present. Mrs. Belding evidently considered the fact somewhat unusual, for she called out into the patio and then into the yard. Then she went to Mercedes's room. But Nell was not there, either.
'She's in one of her tantrums lately,' said Belding. 'Wouldn't speak to me this morning. Let her alone, mother. She's spoiled enough, without running after her. She's always hungry. She'll be on hand presently, don't mistake me.'
Notwithstanding Belding's conviction, which Gale shared, Nell did not appear at all during the hour. When Belding and the rangers went outside, Yaqui was eating his meal on the bench where he always sat.
'Yaqui–Lluvia d' oro, si?' asked Belding, waving his hand toward the corrals. The Indian's beautiful name for Nell meant 'shower of gold,' and Belding used it in asking Yaqui if he had seen her. He received a negative reply.
Perhaps half an hour afterward, as Gale was leaving his room, he saw the Yaqui running up the path from the fields. It was markedly out of the ordinary to see the Indian run. Gale wondered what was the matter. Yaqui ran straight to Belding, who was at work at his bench under the wagon shed. In less than a moment Belding was bellowing for his rangers. Gale got to him first, but Ladd and Lash were not far behind.
'Blanco Sol gone!' yelled Belding, in a rage.
