could only cry.'
'It was hard on Nell,' said Belding, simply. 'But it 'll be better now you're back. Dick, I know the girl. She'll refuse to marry you and you'll have a hard job to break her down, as hard as the one you just rode in off of. I think I know you, too, or I wouldn't be saying–'
'Belding, what 're you hinting at?' demanded Gale. 'Do you dare insinuate that–that–if the thing were true it'd make any difference to me?'
'Aw, come now, Dick; I couldn't mean that. I'm only awkward at saying things. And I'm cut pretty deep–'
'For God's dake, you don't believe what Chase said?' queried Gale, in passionate haste. 'It's a lie. I swear it's a lie. I know it's a lie. And I've got to tell Nell this minute. Come on in with me. I want you, Belding. Oh, why didn't you tell me sooner?'
Belding felt himself dragged by an iron arm into the sitting-room out 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 instant, then raised a pale, still face, with eyes beginning to darken.
'Dearest, I know now why you are not wearing my mother's ring,' said Gale, steadily and low-voiced.
'Dick, I am not worthy,' she replied, 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 engagement ring....Listen. I don't believe this–this thing that's been torturing you. I know it's a lie. I am absolutely sure your mother will prove it a lie. 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 difference to me. I'd promise you on my honor I'd never think of it again. I'd love you all the more because you'd suffered. I want you all the more to be my wife–to let me make you forget–to–'
She rose swiftyly with the passionate abandon of a woman stirred to her depths, and she kissed him.
'Oh, Dick, you're good–so good! You'll never know–just what those words mean to me. They've saved me–I think.'
'Then, dearest, it's all right?' Dick questioned, eagerly. 'You will keep your promise? You will marry me?'
The glow, the light faded out of her face, and now the blue eyes were almost black. She drooped and shook her head.
'Nell!' exclaimed Gale, sharply catching his breath.
'Don't ask me, Dick. I–I won't marry you.'
'Why?'
'You know. It's true that I–'
'It's a lie,' interrupted Gale, fiercely. 'But even if it's true–why–why won't you marry me? Between you and me love is the thing. Love, and nothing else! Don't you love me any more?'
They had forgotten Belding, who stepped back into the shade.
'I love you with my whole heart and soul. I'd die for you,' whispered Nell, with clenching hands. 'But I won't disgrace you.'
'Dear, you have worried over this trouble till you're morbid. It has grown out of all proportion. I tell you that I'll not only be the happiest man on earth, but the luckiest, if you marry me.'
'Dick, you give not one thought to your family. Would they receive me as your wife?'
'They surely would,' replied Gale, steadily.
'No! oh no!'
'You're wrong, Nell. I'm glad you said that. You give me a chance to prove something. I'll go this minute and tell them all. I'll be back here in less than–'
'Dick, you will not tell her–your mother?' cried Nell, with her eyes streaming. 'You will not? Oh, I can't bear it! She's so proud! And Dick, I love her. Don't tell her! Please, please don't! She'll be going soon. She needn't ever know–about me. I want her always to think well of me. Dick, I beg of you. Oh, the fear of her knowing has been the worst of all! Please don't go!'
'Nell, I'm sorry. I hate to hurt you. But you're wrong. You can't see things clearly. This is your happiness I'm fighting for. And it's my life....Wait here, dear. I won't be long.'
Gale ran across the patio and disappeared. Nell sank to the doorstep, and as she met the question in Belding's eyes she shook her head mournfully. They waited without speaking. It seemed a long while before Gale returned. Belding thrilled at sight of him. There was more boy about him than Belding had ever seen. Dick was coming swiftly, flushed, glowing, eager, erect, almost smiling.
'I told them. I swore it was a lie, but I wanted them to decide as if it were true. I didn't have to waste a minute on Elsie. She loves you, Nell. The Governor is crazy about you. I didn't have to waste two minutes on him. Mother used up 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 the–the story about you. Why, she never thought of me at all, until she had cried over you. Nell, she loves you, too. They all love you. Oh, it's so good to tell you. I think mother realizes the part you have had in the–what shall I call it?–the regeneration of Richard Gale. Doesn't that sound fine? Darling, mother not only consents, she want you to 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 Chicago, Cape May, New York–you see, I'm not exactly the lost son any more. Why, Nell, dear, you'll have to learn who Dick Gale really is. But I always want to be the ranger you helped me become, and ride Blanco Sol, and see a little of the desert. Don't let the idea of big cities frighten you. Well 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, you're crying....Nell!'
