eplied Mrs. Belding. Her voice was
steady, and there was no evidence of agitation except in her pallor.
"Then you--you haven't spoken to Nell?"

Dick laughed. "I've been trying to get a chance to tell her. I
haven't had it yet. But she knows. There are other ways besides
speech. And Mercedes has told her. I hope, I almost believe Nell
cares a little for me."

"I've known that, too, for a long time," said Mrs. Belding, low almost
as a whisper.

"You know!" cried Dick, with a glow and rush of feeling.

"Dick, you must be very blind not to see what has been plain to all of
us.... I guess--it couldn't have been helped. You're a splendid
fellow. No wonder she loves you."

"Mother! You'll give her to me?"

She drew him to the light and looked with strange, piercing intentness
into his face. Gale had never dreamed a woman's eyes could hold such a
world of thought and feeling. It seemed all the sweetness of life was
there, and all the pain.

"Do you love her?" she asked.

"With all my heart."

"You want to marry her?"

"Ah, I want to! As much as I want to live and work for her."

"When would you marry her?"

"Why!... Just as soon as she will do it. To-morrow!" Dick gave a wild,
exultant little laugh.

"Dick Gale, you want my Nell? You love her just as she is--her
sweetness--her goodness? Just herself, body and soul?... There's
nothing could change you--nothing?"

"Dear Mrs. Belding, I love Nell for herself. If she loves me I'll be
the happiest of men. There's absolutely nothing that could make any
difference in me."

"But your people? Oh, Dick, you come of a proud family. I can tell.
I--I once knew a young man like you. A few months can't change
pride--blood. Years can't change them. You've become a ranger. You
love the adventure--the wild life. That won't last. Perhaps you'll
settle down to ranching. I know you love the West. But, Dick, there's
your family--"

"If you want to know anything about my family, I'll tell you,"
interrupted Dick, with strong feeling. "I've not secrets about them or
myself. My future and happiness are Nell's to make. No one else shall
count with me."

"Then, Dick--you may have her. God--bless--you--both."

Mrs. Belding's strained face underwent a swift and mobile relaxation,
and suddenly she was weeping in strangely mingled happiness and
bitterness.

"Why, mother!" Gale could say no more. He did not comprehend a mood
seemingly so utterly at v