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 wants 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!"

"My--heart--is broken," sobbed Nell, "for--I--I--can't marry you."

The boyish b