out?â asked Belding, with twinkling eyes.
âWhy, yes; I met something white and swift flying by,â replied Dick.
âDid she see you?â asked Laddy.
âI think so; but she didnât wait for me to introduce myself.â
âThat was Nell Burton, my girlâstepdaughter, I should say,â said Belding. âSheâs sure some whirlwind, as Laddy calls her. Come, letâs go in and meet the wife.â
The house was long, like a barracks, with porch extending all the way, and doors every dozen paces. When Dick was ushered into a sitting room, he was amazed at the light and comfort. This room had two big windows and a door opening into a patio, where there were luxuriant grass, roses in bloom, and flowering trees. He heard a slow splashing of water.
In Mrs. Belding, Gale found a woman of noble proportions and striking appearance. Her hair was white. She had a strong, serious, well-lined face that bore haunting evidences of past beauty. The gaze she bent upon him was almost piercing in its intensity. Her greeting, which seemed to Dick rather slow in coming, was kind though not cordial. Galeâs first thought, after he had thanked these good people for their hospitality, was to inquire about Mercedes. He was informed that the Spanish girl had awakened with a considerable fever and nervousness. When, however, her anxiety had been allayed and her thirst relieved, she had fallen asleep again. Mrs. Belding said the girl had suffered no great hardship, other than mental, and would very soon be rested and well.
âNow, Gale,â said Belding, when his wife had excused herself to get supper, âthe boys, Jim and Laddy, told me about you and the mix-up at Casita. Iâll be glad to take care of the girl till itâs safe for your soldier friend to get her out of the country. That wonât be very soon, donât mistake meâ¦. I donât want to seem overcurious about youâLaddy has interested me in youâand straight out Iâd like to know what you propose to do now.â
âI havenât any plans,â replied Dick; and, taking the moment as propitious, he decided to speak frankly concerning himself. âI just drifted down here. My home is in Chicago. When I left school some years agoâIâm twenty-five nowâI went to work for my father. Heâsâhe has business interests there. I tried all kinds of inside jobs. I couldnât please my father. I guess I put no real heart in my work. The fact was I didnât know how to work. The governor and I didnât exactly quarrel; but he hurt my feelings, and I quit. Six months or more ago I came West, and have knocked about from Wyoming southwest to the border. I tried to find congenial work, but nothing came my way. To tell you frankly, Mr. Belding, I suppose I didnât much care. I believe, though, that all the time I didnât know what I wanted. Iâve learnedâwell, just latelyââ
âWhat do you want to do?â interposed Belding.
âI want a manâs job. I want to do things with my hands. I want action. I want to be outdoors.â
Belding nodded his head as if he understood that, and he began to speak again, cut something short, then went on, hesitatingly:
âGaleâyou could go home againâto the old manâitâd be all right?â
âMr. Belding, thereâs nothing shady in my past. The governor would be glad to have me home. Thatâs the only consolation Iâve got. But Iâm not going. Iâm broke. I wonât be a tramp. And itâs up to me to do something.â
âHowâd you like to be a border ranger?â asked Belding, laying a hand on Dickâs knee. âPart of my job here is United States Inspector of Immigration. Iâve got that boundary line to patrolâto keep out Chinks and Japs. This revolution has added complications, and Iâm looking for smugglers and raiders here
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