A NEW GALE' ?> ___ BTNOPSIS.? Seeking gold in the desert, "Cameron." solitary pros pector, forma a partnership with an unknown man whom he later ? learns is Jonaa Warren, father of \ a girl whom Cameron wronged, but later married, back In Illinois,' Cameron's explanations appease Warren, and Ihe two proceed to gether. Taking refuge from a sandstorm in a cave, Cameron dis covers gold, but too late; both men are dying. Cameron leaves evi dence, in the cave, of their dis covery of gold, and personal docu ments. Richard Gale, adventurer. In Caslta, Mexican border town, meets George Thorne, lieutenant in the Ninth cavalry, old college friend. Thorne tells Gale he la there to save Mercedes Caataneda, Spanish girl, his affianced wife, from Rojas, Mexican bandit. Gale "roughhouses" Rojas and his gang, with the help of two American lowboys, and he, Mercedes and Thorne escape. A bugle call fr^m the fort orders Thorne to his regi ment. He leaves Mercedes under Gale's protection. The pair, aided by the cowboys, Charlie Ladd and Jim Lash, arrive in safety at a ranch known as Forlorn River, across the border. The fugitives are at Tom Belding's home. Beld Ing is Immigration inspector. Living with him are his wife and step daughter. Neil Burton. Gale, with l>add end I^ash, take service with fielding as rangers. Gale telling fielding the cause of his bei?ur a wanderer, a misunderstanding with his father concerning the son's business abilities. I * v.* CHAPTER V A Desert' Rose. When Dick lay down that night he was dully conscious of pain and head ache?that he did not feel well. De spite this, and a mind thronging with memories and anticipations, he silc cumhed to weariness and soon fell asleep. It was light when he awoke, but a strange brightness seen through what seemed blurred eyes. A mo ment passed before bis mind worked clearly, and then he had to make an effort to think. lie was dizzy. When he essayed to lift his tight arm, an excruciating pain made him desist. Then he discovered that his arm was liadly swollen, and the hand had burst Its bandages. The injured mem ber was red. angry. Inflamed, and twice its normal size. He felt hok all over, and a raging headache con sumed him. BeUling catne stamping into the room. ' "Hello, Dick. Do you ' know It's late? How's the busted fist this morntyig?" Dick tried to sit up. but hls?effort was a failure. He got about half up. then felt himself weakly sliding back. "I guess? I'm pretty sick," be said. He saw Helding lean over him, feel his face, and speak, and then every thing seemed to drift, not into dark ness, but into some region where he bad dim perceptions of gray moving things, and of voices that were re mote. Then there came an Interval when all was blank. When be again unclosed bis eyes the roopi was sunny, and cool with a fragrant breeze that blew through the open door. Dick felt betler; but be had no particular desire to move or talk or eat. On the next day he was very much Improved. "We've been afraid of hlood poi soning." said Belding. "But my wife thinks the danger's past. You'll have to rest that arm for a while." Ladd and Jim came peeping in at the door. "Come In, boys. He can have com pany ? the more the better ? If it'll keep him content. He mustn't move, that's all." The cowboys entered, slow, easy, cool, kind-voiced, "Shore it's tough." said Ladd, after he bad greeted Dick. "You look used up." Jim Lash wagged his half-bald, sunburned bead. "Musta been more'n tough for Rojas." "dale, Laddy tells me one of our neighbors, fellow named Carter. Is going to Casita," put In I?e4dlng. "Here's a chance to get word to your friend the soldier." "Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed Dick. "I declare I'd forgotten Thorne. . . . How Is Miss Casta ? neda? I hope ? " { \ r. "She's all right. Gale. Been up and around the patio for two days. She and Nell made friends at once. I'll call them In." Both girls came In, Mercedes lead ing. IJke Nell, she wore white, and she had a red rose In her hand. She v was swift. Impulsive In her move 'ments to reach Dick's side. "Senor. I am* so sorry you were III? so happy you are better." Dick greeted her, offering his left hand, gravely apologizing for the fact that, owing to a late Infirmity, he could not offer the right. Her smile exquisitely combined sympathy, grati tude. admiration. Then Dick spoke to Nell, likewise offering his hand, wlilrh she took shyly. Her reply was a murmured, unintelligible one; but her eyes were glad, and the tint In her cheeks threatened to rival the hue of the rose she carried. Presently Dick remembered to speak of the matter of getting news to Thorne. "Senor. may I write to lihn? Will ?ome<>ne take a letter? } ?hall hear from hltu!" she said; and h ?r whit* hands emphasized her ? by ZANE GREY 7 ' Author of - Riders of the Purple Sage, Wildfire, Etc. Copyright by Harper & Brothers. * "Assuredly. I guess poor Thorne Is almost crazy. I'll write to him. . . . No, I can't with this crippled hand." "That'll be all right, Gale," said Belding. "Nell will write for you. She writes all my letters.'' So Belding arranged It; and Merce des flew pway to her room to write, while Nell fetched pen and paper and seated herself beside Gale's bed to take his dictation. " What with watching Nell and try ing to cntch her glance, and listening to Beldlng's talk with the cowboys, Dick was hard put to It to dictate any kind of a creditable letter. Nell met his gaze once, then no more. Belding was talking over the risks In volved In a trip to Casita. "I'll tell you, boys, I'll ride In my self with Carter. There's business I can see to, and I'm curious to know what the rebels are doing. Gait, I'm going' to Casita myself. Ought to get back tomorrow Some time. I'll be ready to start in an hour. Have your letter ready. And say ? if you want to write home It's n chance. Sometimes we don't go to the P. 0. in a month." He tramped out, followed by the tall cowboys, and then Dick was en abled to bring his letter to a close. Mercedes came back, and her eyes were shining. Dick, remembering Belding's suggestion, decided to profit by It. "May I trouble you to write another for me?" asked Dick, as he received the letter from Nell. "It's no trouble, I'm sure ? I'd be pleased," she replied. That was altogether a wonderful speech of hers, Dick thought, because the words were the first coherent ones she had spoken to him. He settled back and began. Presently Gale paused, partly bo cause of genuine emotion, and stole a look from under his hand at Nell. If she had in the very least been drawn to him ? But that was absurd ? im possible! When Dick finished dictating, his eyes were upon Mercedes, who sat smilingly curious and sympathetic. How responsive she was! He looked at Nell. Presently she rose, holding out his letter. He was just In time to see a wave of red recede from her face. She gave him one swift gaze, unconscious, searching, then averted It and turned awdy. She left the room with Mercedes before he could express his thanks. But that strange, speaking flash of eyes remained to haunt and torment Gale. It was indescribably sweet, and provocative of thoughts that he believed were wild without warrant. "Hello. Dick! Good News and Bad!" It dawned upon him that for the brief instant when Nell had met his gaze she had lost her shyness. It was a woman's questioning eyes that had pierced through him. Next day Dick believed he was well enough to leave his room; but Mrs. Beldlng would not permit him to do so. She was kind, soft-handed, moth erly, and she was always coming in to minister to his comfort; yet Gale felt that the friendliness so manifest in the others of the household did not extend to her. He was conscious of something that a little thonght per suaded him was antagonism. It sur prised and ? hurt him. He reflected that there might come a time when it would be desirable, far beygnd any ground of every-day friendly kindli ness, to have Mrs. Beldlng be well disposed toward hlra. So he thougnt about her, and pondered how tor make her like him. It did not take very long for Dick to discover that he liked her. Her face, except when she smiled, was thoughtful and sad. Eu\ U seemed too strong, too intense, too nobly lined. It was a face to make one Like a haunting shadow, like a phantom of happier years, the sweetness of Nell's face was there, and Infinitely more of beauty than hajJLbeen transmitted to the daugh ter DIck believed Mrs. Beldlng's friendship and mbtherly' love were worth much striving to win, entirely aside from any more selfish motive. He decided both would be hard to get. ? ? Toward evening Gale heard the tramp of horses and Beldlng's hearty voice. Presently the rancher1 strode in upon Gale, shaking the gray dust from his broad shoulders and waving a letter. "Hello, Dick! Good news and bad!" he said, putting the letter in Dick's hand. "Had no trouble finding your friend Thorne. Looked like he'd been drunk for a week ! Say, he nearly threw a fit. I never saw a fel low so wild with Joy. He made sure you and Mercedes were lost In ' the desert. He wrote two letters, which I brought. Casita Is one h? 1 of a plafce^ these days. I tried to get your baggage, and think I made a mistake. We're going to see travel toward Forlorn River. The federal garrison got re-enforcements from somewhere, and Is holding out" "Do you think we'H have trouble here?" asked Dick, excitedly. "Sure. Some kind of ' trouble sooner or later," replied Beldingi gloomily. "Anyway, my boy, as soon as you can hold a bridle and a gun you'll be on the job, doii't mistake me." "With Laddy and Jim?" asked Dick, trying to be cool. "Sure. With them and me, and by yourself." * ? Dick drew a deep breath, and even after Belding had de] hand. Then he unfolded .the paper and read: "Dear Dick? You've more than saved my life. To tjje end of my days you'll be the one man to whom I owe every thing. .Words fail to express *y feelings "This must be a brief note. Belding is waiting, and I used up most of the time writing- to Mercedes. "I'm leaving Mercedes in your charge, subect, of course, to advice' from Belding. Take care of her, Dick, for my life is wrapped up in her. By all means keep her from beins seen by Mexicans. We are sitting tiKht here? nothing doing. "If things quiet down before my com mission expires, I'll get leave of absence, run out to Forlorn River, marry my. beautiful Spanish princess, and take her to a civilized country, where, I opine, every son of a gun who seeo her will ldse his head, and drive me mad. Dick, harken to these glad words: Rojas is In the hos pital. I was Interested to Inquire. He had a smashed finger, a dislocated collar bone, three broken ribs, and a fearful gash on his face. He'll be In the hospitals for a month. Dick, when I meet that pig headed dad of yours I'm going to give him the surprise of his life. "Send me a line whenever any one comes in from F. R., and Inclose Mer cedes" letter In yours. Take care of her, Dick, and may the future hold in store for you some of the sweetness I know now! Faithfully yours. for a moment about "THORNE. While Dick was eating Ills supper, with appetite rapidly returning to nor mal, Ladd and Jim came in. Their friendly advances were singularly welcome to Gale, but he was still backward. He allowed himself to show that he was glad to see them, and he listened. It took no keen judge of human nature to see that horses constituted Ladd's ruling passion. "Shore it's a cinch Beldin* Is agoln' to lose some of them animals of his," he said. "You can search me If I don't think there'll be more doin' on the bor der here ^han along the Rio Grande." "Look-a-here, Laddy ; you cain't be lieve all you hear," replied Jim, seri ously. "I reckon we mightn't have any trouble." "Back up, Jim. Shore you're stand in' on your bridle. ? There's more doin' than theraidin' of a few hosses. An' Forlorn River is goin' to get hers!" Another dawn found Gale so much recovered that he arose and looked after himself; not, however, without considerable difficulty and rather dis heartening twinges of pain. Some time during the morning he heard the girls in the patio and called to ask if he might join them. He re ceived one response, a mellow, senor." It was not as much as he wanted, but considering that It was enough, he went out. In the shade of a beautiful tree, he found the girls, Mercedes sitting in a hammock, Nell upon a blanket. "What a beautiful tree!" he ex claimed. "I never saw one like that. What Is It?" "Palo ver.de," replied Nell. "Senor, palo verde means 'green tree,"' added Mercedes. Little by little Dick learned details of Nell's varied life. She had llve8 In many places. As a child she re membered Lawrence, Kansas, where she studied for several years. Then Bhe moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, from there to Austin, Texas, and on to Waco, where her mother met and mar ried Beldlng. They lived In New Mexico awhile. In Tucson, Arizona, In Douglas, and finally had come to lone ly Forlorn River.' ' "Mother could never live In one place any length of time," said Nell. "And since we've beta In the South west she has never ceased trying find some ti"ace of her father. He was last heard of In Nogales fourteen years ago. She thinks grandfather was lost In the Sonora desert. . i . And every place we go is worse. Oh. I love the desert. But I'd like to go back to Lawrence ? or to see Chicago "or New York ? some of the places Mr. .Gale speaks at ... J remember the college at Lawrence, though I was only twelve. I saw races- -and once real football . . . Mr. Gale, of course, you've seen games?" "Yes, a few," replied Dick; and he laughed a little. It was' on his lips then to telp her about some of the famous games In which he had par ticipated. But he refrained from ex ploiting himself. There was little, however, of "the color and sound and cheer, of the violent action and rush and battle incidental to a big college football game that he did not succeed in making Mercedes and Nell feel Just as If they had b?en there. They hung breathless and wide-eyed upon bis words. Some one else was present at the latter part of Dick's narrative. The moment he became aware of Mrs. Beldlng'g presence he remembered fancying he had heard her call, and now he was certain she had done so. Mercedes and Nell, however, had been and still were oblivions to everything except Dick's recital. He saw Mrs. Beldlng cast a strange, intent glance upon Nell, then turn and go silently through the patio. Dick was haunted by the strange ex pression he had caught on Mrs. Beld ing's face, especially the look In her eyes. It had been one of repressed pain liberated In a flash of certainty. The mother had seen how far he had gone on the road of love. Perhaps she had .seen more ? even more than he dared hope. CHAPTER VI The Yaqul. Toward evening of a lowering De cember day, some fifty miles west of Forlorn River, a horseman rode along an old, dimly defined trail. This lonely horseman bestrode a steed of magnificent build, perfectly white except for a dark bar of color running down the noble head from ears to nose. Sweat-caked dust stained the long flanks. The horse had been running. He was lean, gaunt, worn, a huge machine of muscle and bone, beautiful only In head and mane, a weight-carrier, a horse strong and fierce like the desert that had i>red him. The rider fitted the horse as he fit ted the saddle. He was a young man of exceedingly powerful physique, wide-shouldered, long-armed, big legged. His lean face, where it was not red, blistered and peeling, was the hue of bronze. He had a dark eye, a falcon gaze, roving and keen. His ' jaw was prominent and set. inastiff like; his lips were stern. It was youth with its softness not yet quite burned and hardened away that kept the whole cast of his face from being ruthless. This young man was Dick Gale, but. not the listless traveler, nor the loung ing wanderer who, two months before, had by chance dropped into Casita. The desert had claimed Gale, and had drawn him Into Its crucible. The desert had multiplied weeks Into years. Heat, thirst, hunger, loneli ness, toll, fear, ferocity, pain? he knew them all. He had felt them all ? the white sun, with Its glazed, coales cing, lurid fire; the caked spilt lips and rasping, dry-puffed tongue; the sickening ache In the pit of his stom aclie; the insupportable silence, the empty space, the utter desolation, the contempt of life; the watch and wait, the dread of ambush, the swift flight ; the fierce pursuit of men wild ns Bedouins and as fleet, the willingness to deal sudden death, the pain of poison thorn, the stinging tear of lead through flesh ; and that strange para dox of the burning desert, the cold at nlghr. the piercing Icy wind, the dew that penetrated to the marrow, the numbing desert cold of the?dawn. Ladd's prophecy of trouble on the border had been mild compared to what had become the actuality. With rebel occupancy of the garrison at Casita. outlaws, bandits, raiders In rioting bands had spread westward. Mazy a dark-skinned raider bestrode one of Belding's fast horses; and, In deed, all etcept his selected white thoroughbreds had been ptolen. So the Job of the rangers had become fhore than a patrolling of the bound ary line to keep Japanese and Chinese from being smuggled Into the United States. On this December afternoon the three rangers, as often, were separ ated. Lash was "far to the westward of Sonoyta, somewhere along Camino del Diablo, that terrible Devil's road, where many desert wayfarers had per ished. Ladd had long been overdue in a prearranged meeting with Gale. The fact that Ladd had not shown up miles west of the Papago well, was significant. Gale dismounted to lead his horse, to go forward more slowly. He had ridden sixty miles since morning, and he was tired, and a not entirely healed wound in his hip made one leg drag a little. A mile up the arroyo, near Its head, lay the Papago well.' The need of water for his horse entailed a risk that otherwise he could have avoided. The well was on Mexican soil. Gale distinguished a faint light flickering through the thin, sharp foliage. Camp ers were at the well, and, whoever they were, no doubt they had prevent ed Ladd from meeting Ga^e. Ladd had gone back to the next waterhole, or maybe he was hiding In an arroyo to the eastward, awaiting develop ments. Gale turned his horse, not without urge of Iron arm and persuasive SHpBch, for the desert steed scented water, and plodded back to the edge of the arroyo. where In a secludM circle of mesqulte he halted. The horse snorted ills relief at the removal of the heavy, burdened saddle and ac coutrements. Gale poured the con tents of bis larger canteen Into his bat and held It to the hone's nose. "Drink, Sol," be said ' It was but a drop for a ftlrBtj horse. However, Blanco Sol rubbed a wet muzzle against Gale's hand Id ap preciation. Gale loved the horse, and was loved In return. They had saved each other's lives, and had spent long days and nights of desert solitude to gether. . ' The spot of secluded gronnd was covered with bunches of galleta grass upofo which Sol began to graze. Gale made n long halter of his lariat to keep the horse from wandering In search of water. Next Gale kicked off the cumbersome chapparejos, with their flapping, tripping folds of leather over his feet, and drawing a long rifle from his saddle sheath, he slipped away into the shadows. In tbe soft sand his steps made no sound. The twinkling light vanished occasionally, like i Jack-o'-lantern, and when It did show .'t seemed still > a long way off. Gale was not seeking trouble or In viting danger. Water was the thing that drove him. He must see who these campers were, and then decide how to give Blanco Sol a drink. Stooping low, with bushy mesqultes between him and the fire, Gale ad vanced. The coyotes were In full cry. Gale heard the tramping, stamp t Gale Dismounted to Lead His Horse, to Go Fo?ward More Slowly. ing thumps of many hoofs. The sound worried him. Foot by foot he ad vanced, and finnlly began to crawl. The nearer he approached the head of the arro.vo, where the well was lo cated, the thlpker grew the desert veg etation. lip secured a favorable posi tion, and then rose to peep from be hind his covert. He saw a bright fire, not a cooking fire. for that would have been low and red, but a crackling blaze of mes quite. Three men were In sight, all close to the burning sticks. They were Mexicans and of the coarse type of raiders, rebels, bandits th'at Gale had expected to see. A glint of steel caught his eye. Three short, shiny r carbines .leaned against a rock. A lit tle to the left, within the circle of light, stood a square house made of adobe bricks. This house was a I'apagon Indian habitation, and a month before had heen occupied by a family that had been murdered or driven off by a roving band of out laws. A rude corral showed dimly In the edpe of firelight, and from a black mass within came the snort and stamp and whinny of horses. Gale took In the scene in one quick glance, then sank down at the foot of the mesquite. lie had naturally expected to see more men. But the situation was by no means new. This was one, or part of one, of the raider bands harrying the border. They were stealing horses, or driving a herd already stolen. Gale revolved ques tions in mind. Had this trio of out laws run across Ladd? It was not likely, for In that event they might n^t have been so eomfortable and care free In camp. Were they waiting for more members of their gang? That was very probable. With Gale, how ever, the most important considera tion was how to get his horse to wa? ter. Sol must have a drlnlt if It cost a fight. There was stern reason for Gale to hurry eastward along the troll. He thought It best to go back to where he had left his horse and not make any decisive move until day ??th the same noiseless care In had exercised In the advance, Gale re treated until It was safe for him t? rise and walk on down the arroyo. He found Blanco Sol contentedly grazing. Gale carried his saddle, blankets and bags Into the lee of ? little greasewood-covered mound, from around which the wind had cut the soil ; and here, in a wash; he risked building a fire. By this time the wind was piercingly cold. Gale's hands wers numb, and he moved them to and fro In the little blaze. Then he mado cofTee In a cup, cooked some slices of bacon on the end of a stick, and took a couple of hard biscuits from a sad dlebag. Of these his meal ^consisted After that he removed the halter frons Blanco Sol, Intending to leave him free to graze for a while. ' i U'A crippled Yaqui! Why tho h ? I did you saddle yourself with himT* roared Bolding." (TO HE CONTINUED.) Follow the river and you will go ftp TODAY I AM REAL ?j So Writes Woman Taking Lydia E. Pin^ Vegetable Comp^J] Jamestown N. Y.? " I Wjfl ?asSy excited and discoura^l Su tm* 1 ab? "it ? Buffered *^1 in my back weakness, t J_ Lvdia E. PinuB VeKetable* P?und. both \iM uid ar.d ublatfaT and used U Pmkham's i for tion. Todivi real well and run a rooming honJ do the work. I recommend your cine to every woman who compul^J yoa may use my letter to heln?!j| else, ram passing through then!? of Life now and I keep the vyj Compound in the house, ready whap I feel the need of it >? M Alice D. Dayis, 203 W. Jamestown, N. Y. Often some slight deran^m^d cause a general upset condition c whole system, indicated by such t_ toirs as nervousness, backache, laj ambition and general weakness Lydia E. Pinkham'a Vegetable ( pound will be found a splendid iwj fov such troubles. In many cases i removed the cause of the trouble. 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