by Zane Grey
XIV
A LOST SON
TIME passed. The population of Forlorn River grew apace. Belding, whohad once been the head of the community, found himself a person oflittle consequence. Even had he desired it he would not have had anyvoice in the selection of postmaster, sheriff, and a few otherofficials. The Chases divided their labors between Forlorn River andtheir Mexican gold mine, which had been restored to them. The deserttrips between these two places were taken in automobiles. A month'stime made the motor cars almost as familiar a sight in Forlorn River asthey had been in Casita before the revolution.
Belding was not so busy as he had been formerly. As he lost ambitionhe began to find less work to do. His wrath at the usurping Chasesincreased as he slowly realized his powerlessness to cope with suchmen. They were promoters, men of big interests and wide influence inthe Southwest. The more they did for Forlorn River the less reasonthere seemed to be for his own grievance. He had to admit that it waspersonal; that he and Gale and the rangers would never have been ableto develop the resources of the valley as these men were doing it.
All day long he heard the heavy booming blasts and the rumble ofavalanches up in the gorge. Chase's men were dynamiting the cliffs inthe narrow box canyon. They were making the dam just as Gale hadplanned to make it. When this work of blasting was over Beldingexperienced a relief. He would not now be continually reminded of hisand Gale's loss. Resignation finally came to him. But he could notreconcile himself to misfortune for Gale.
Moreover, Belding had other worry and strain. April arrived with nonews of the rangers. From Casita came vague reports of raiders in theSonoyta country--reports impossible to verify until his Mexican rangersreturned. When these men rode in, one of them, Gonzales, anintelligent and reliable halfbreed, said he had met prospectors at theoasis. They had just come in on the Camino del Diablo, reported aterrible trip of heat and drought, and not a trace of the Yaqui's party.
"That settles it," declared Belding. "Yaqui never went to Sonoyta.He's circled round to the Devil's Road, and the rangers, Mercedes,Thorne, the horses--they--I'm afraid they have been lost in the desert.It's an old story on Camino del Diablo."
He had to tell Nell that, and it was an ordeal which left him weak.
Mrs. Belding listened to him, and was silent for a long time while sheheld the stricken Nell to her breast. Then she opposed his convictionswith that quiet strength so characteristic of her arguments.
"Well, then," decided Belding, "Rojas headed the rangers at Papago Wellor the Tanks."
"Tom, when you are down in the mouth you use poor judgment," she wenton. "You know only by a miracle could Rojas or anybody have headedthose white horses. Where's your old stubborn confidence? Yaqui wasup on Diablo. Dick was up on Sol. And there were the other horses.They could not have been headed or caught. Miracles don't happen."
"All right, mother, it's sure good to hear you," said Belding. Shealways cheered him, and now he grasped at straws. "I'm not myselfthese days, don't mistake that. Tell us what you think. You always sayyou feel things when you really don't know them."
"I can say little more than what you said yourself the night Mercedeswas taken away. You told Laddy to trust Yaqui, that he was a godsend.He might go south into some wild Sonora valley. He might lead Rojasinto a trap. He would find water and grass where no Mexican orAmerican could."
"But mother, they're gone seven weeks. Seven weeks! At the most Igave them six weeks. Seven weeks in the desert!"
"How do the Yaquis live?" she asked.
Belding could not reply to that, but hope revived in him. He had faithin his wife, though he could not in the least understand what heimagined was something mystic in her.
"Years ago when I was searching for my father I learned many thingsabout this country," said Mrs. Belding. "You can never tell how long aman may live in the desert. The fiercest, most terrible andinaccessible places often have their hidden oasis. In his later yearsmy father became a prospector. That was strange to me, for he nevercared for gold or money. I learned that he was often gone in thedesert for weeks, once for months. Then the time came when he nevercame back. That was years before I reached the southwest border andheard of him. Even then I did not for long give up hope of his comingback, I know now--something tells me--indeed, it seems his spirittells me--he was lost. But I don't have that feeling for Yaqui and hisparty. Yaqui has given Rojas the slip or has ambushed him in sometrap. Probably that took time and a long journey into Sonora. TheIndian is too wise to start back now over dry trails. He'll curb therangers; he'll wait. I seem to know this, dear Nell, so be brave,patient. Dick Gale will come back to you."
"Oh, mother!" cried Nell. "I can't give up hope while I have you."
That talk with the strong mother worked a change in Nell and Belding.Nell, who had done little but brood and watch the west and take violentrides, seemed to settle into a waiting patience that was sad, yetserene. She helped her mother more than ever; she was a comfort toBelding; she began to take active interest in the affairs of thegrowing village. Belding, who had been breaking under the strain ofworry, recovered himself so that to outward appearance he was his oldself. He alone knew, however, that his humor was forced, and that theslow burning wrath he felt for the Chases was flaming into hate.
Belding argued with himself that if Ben Chase and his son, Radford, hadturned out to be big men in other ways than in the power to carry ongreat enterprises he might have become reconciled to them. But thefather was greedy, grasping, hard, cold; the son added to those traitsan overbearing disposition to rule, and he showed a fondness for drinkand cards. These men were developing the valley, to be sure, and ahorde of poor Mexicans and many Americans were benefiting from thatdevelopment; nevertheless, these Chases were operating in a way whichproved they cared only for themselves.
Belding shook off a lethargic spell and decided he had better set aboutseveral by no means small tasks, if he wanted to get them finishedbefore the hot months. He made a trip to the Sonoyta Oasis. Hesatisfied himself that matters along the line were favorable, and thatthere was absolutely no trace of his rangers. Upon completing this triphe went to Casita with a number of his white thoroughbreds and shippedthem to ranchers and horse-breeders in Texas. Then, being near therailroad, and having time, he went up to Tucson. There he learned someinteresting particulars about the Chases. They had an office in thecity; influential friends in the Capitol. They were powerful men inthe rapidly growing finance of the West. They had interested theSouthern Pacific Railroad, and in the near future a branch line was tobe constructed from San Felipe to Forlorn River. These details of theChase development were insignificant when compared to a matter strikingclose home to Belding. His responsibility had been subtly attacked. Adoubt had been cast upon his capability of executing the duties ofimmigration inspector to the best advantage of the state. Beldingdivined that this was only an entering wedge. The Chases were bentupon driving him out of Forlorn River; but perhaps to serve bettertheir own ends, they were proceeding at leisure. Belding returned homeconsumed by rage. But he controlled it. For the first time in hislife he was afraid of himself. He had his wife and Nell to think of;and the old law of the West had gone forever.
"Dad, there's another Rojas round these diggings," was Nell's remark,after the greetings were over and the usual questions and answerspassed.
Belding's exclamation was cut short by Nell's laugh. She was seriouswith a kind of amused contempt.
"Mr. Radford Chase!"
"Now Nell, what the--" roared Belding.
"Hush, Dad! Don't swear," interrupted Nell. "I only meant to teaseyou."
"Humph! Say, my girl, that name Chase makes me see red. If you musttease me hit on some other way. Sabe, senorita?"
"Si, si, Dad."
"Nell, you may as well tell him and have it over," said Mrs. Belding,quietly.
"You promised me once, Dad, that you'd not go packing a gun off downthere, didn't you?"
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"Yes, I remember," replied Belding; but he did not answer her smile.
"Will you promise again?" she asked, lightly. Here was Nell with archeyes, yet not the old arch eyes, so full of fun and mischief. Her lipswere tremulous; her cheeks seemed less round.
"Yes," rejoined Belding; and he knew why his voice was a little thick.
"Well, if you weren't such a good old blind Dad you'd have seen longago the way Mr. Radford Chase ran round after me. At first it was onlyannoying, and I did not want to add to your worries. But these twoweeks you've been gone I've been more than annoyed. After that time Istruck Mr. Chase with my quirt he made all possible efforts to meet me.He did meet me wherever I went. He sent me letters till I got tired ofsending them back.
"When you left home on your trips I don't know that he grew bolder, buthe had more opportunity. I couldn't stay in the house all the time.There were mama's errands and sick people and my Sunday school, andwhat not. Mr. Chase waylaid me every time I went out. If he works anymore I don't know when, unless it's when I'm asleep. He followed meuntil it was less embarassing for me to let him walk with me and talkhis head off. He made love to me. He begged me to marry him. I toldhim I was already in love and engaged to be married. He said thatdidn't make any difference. Then I called him a fool.
"Next time he saw me he said he must explain. He meant I was beingtrue to a man who, everybody on the border knew, had been lost in thedesert. That--that hurt. Maybe--maybe it's true. Sometimes it seemsterribly true. Since then, of course, I have stayed in the house toavoid being hurt again.
"But, Dad, a little thing like a girl sticking close to her mother androom doesn't stop Mr. Chase. I think he's crazy. Anyway, he's a mostpersistent fool. I want to be charitable, because the man swears heloves me, and maybe he does, but he is making me nervous. I don'tsleep. I'm afraid to be in my room at night. I've gone to mother'sroom. He's always hanging round. Bold! Why, that isn't the thing tocall Mr. Chase. He's absolutely without a sense of decency. He bribesour servants. He comes into our patio. Think of that! He makes themost ridiculous excuses. He bothers mother to death. I feel like apoor little rabbit holed by a hound. And I daren't peep out."
Somehow the thing struck Belding as funny, and he laughed. He had nothad a laugh for so long that it made him feel good. He stopped only atsight of Nell's surprise and pain. Then he put his arms round her.
"Never mind, dear. I'm an old bear. But it tickled me, I guess. Isure hope Mr. Radford Chase has got it bad... Nell, it's only the oldstory. The fellows fall in love with you. It's your good looks, Nell.What a price women like you and Mercedes have to pay for beauty! I'd ad---- a good deal rather be ugly as a mud fence."
"So would I, Dad, if--if Dick would still love me."
"He wouldn't, you can gamble on that, as Laddy says. ... Well, thefirst time I catch this locoed Romeo sneaking round here I'll--I'll--"
"Dad, you promised."
"Confound it, Nell, I promised not to pack a gun. That's all. I'llonly shoo this fellow off the place, gently, mind you, gently. I'llleave the rest for Dick Gale!"
"Oh, Dad!" cried Nell; and she clung to him wistful, frightened, yetsomething more.
"Don't mistake me, Nell. You have your own way, generally. You pullthe wool over mother's eyes, and you wind me round your little finger.But you can't do either with Dick Gale. You're tender-hearted; youoverlook the doings of this hound, Chase. But when Dick comes back, youjust make up your mind to a little hell in the Chase camp. Oh, he'llfind it out. And I sure want to be round when Dick hands Mr. Radfordthe same as he handed Rojas!"
Belding kept a sharp lookout for young Chase, and then, a few dayslater, learned that both son and father had gone off upon one of theirfrequent trips to Casa Grandes, near where their mines were situated.
April grew apace, and soon gave way to May. One morning Belding wascalled from some garden work by the whirring of an automobile and a"Holloa!" He went forward to the front yard and there saw a car hethought resembled one he had seen in Casita. It contained afamiliar-looking driver, but the three figures in gray coats and veilswere strange to him. By the time he had gotten to the road he decidedtwo were women and the other a man. At the moment their faces wereemerging from dusty veils. Belding saw an elderly, sallow-faced,rather frail-appearing man who was an entire stranger to him; ahandsome dark-eyed woman whose hair showed white through her veil; anda superbly built girl, whose face made Belding at once think of DickGale.
"Is this Mr. Tom Belding, inspector of immigration?" inquired thegentleman, courteously.
"I'm Belding, and I know who you are," replied Belding in hearty amaze,as he stretched forth his big hand. "You're Dick Gale's Dad--theGovernor, Dick used to say. I'm sure glad to meet you."
"Thank you. Yes, I'm Dick's governor, and here, Mr. Belding--Dick'smother and his sister Elsie."
Beaming his pleasure, Belding shook hands with the ladies, who showedtheir agitation clearly.
"Mr. Belding, I've come west to look up my lost son," said Mr. Gale."His sister's letters were unanswered. We haven't heard from him inmonths. Is he still here with you?"
"Well, now, sure I'm awful sorry," began Belding, his slow mind atwork. "Dick's away just now--been away for a considerable spell. I'mexpecting him back any day.... Won't you come in? You're all dusty andhot and tired. Come in, and let mother and Nell make you comfortable.Of course you'll stay. We've a big house. You must stay till Dickcomes back. Maybe that 'll be-- Aw, I guess it won't be long.... Letme handle the baggage, Mr. Gale.... Come in. I sure am glad to meet youall."
Eager, excited, delighted, Belding went on talking as he ushered theGales into the sitting-room, presenting them in his hearty way to theastounded Mrs. Belding and Nell. For the space of a few moments hiswife and daughter were bewildered. Belding did not recollect any otheroccasion when a few callers had thrown them off their balance. But ofcourse this was different. He was a little flustered himself--acircumstance that dawned upon him with surprise. When the Gales hadbeen shown to rooms, Mrs. Belding gained the poise momentarily lost;but Nell came rushing back, wilder than a deer, in a state ofexcitement strange even for her.
"Oh! Dick's mother, his sister!" whispered Nell.
Belding observed the omission of the father in Nell's exclamation ofmingled delight and alarm.
"His mother!" went on Nell. "Oh, I knew it! I always guessed it!Dick's people are proud, rich; they're somebody. I thought I'd faintwhen she looked at me. She was just curious--curious, but so cold andproud. She was wondering about me. I'm wearing his ring. It was hismother's, he said. I won't--I can't take it off. And I'm scared....But the sister--oh, she's lovely and sweet--proud, too. I felt warmall over when she looked at me. I--I wanted to kiss her. She lookslike Dick when he first came to us. But he's changed. They'll hardlyrecognize him.... To think they've come! And I had to be looking afright, when of all times on earth I'd want to look my best."
Nell, out of breath, ran away evidently to make herself presentable,according to her idea of the exigency of the case. Belding caught aglimpse of his wife's face as she went out, and it wore a sad, strange,anxious expression. Then Belding sat alone, pondering the contractingemotions of his wife and daughter. It was beyond his understanding.Women were creatures of feeling. Belding saw reason to be delighted toentertain Dick's family; and for the time being no disturbing thoughtentered his mind.
Presently the Gales came back into the sitting-room, looking verydifferent without the long gray cloaks and veils. Belding sawdistinction and elegance. Mr. Gale seemed a grave, troubled, kindlyperson, ill in body and mind. Belding received the same impression ofpower that Ben Chase had given him, only here it was minus anyharshness or hard quality. He gathered that Mr. Gale was a man ofauthority. Mrs. Gale rather frightened Belding, but he could not havetold why. The girl was just like Dick as he used to be.
Their manner of speaking also reminded Belding of Dick. They talked ofthe ride
from Ash Fork down to the border, of the ugly and torn-upCasita, of the heat and dust and cactus along the trail. PresentlyNell came in, now cool and sweet in white, with a red rose at herbreast. Belding had never been so proud of her. He saw that she meantto appear well in the eyes of Dick's people, and began to have a faintperception of what the ordeal was for her. Belding imagined the soonerthe Gales were told that Dick was to marry Nell the better for allconcerned, and especially for Nell. In the general conversation thatensued he sought for an opening in which to tell this important news,but he was kept so busy answering questions about his position on theborder, the kind of place Forlorn River was, the reason for so manytents, etc., that he was unable to find opportunity.
"It's very interesting, very interesting," said Mr. Gale. "At anothertime I want to learn all you'll tell me about the West. It's new to me.I'm surprised, amazed, sir, I may say.... But, Mr. Belding, what I wantto know most is about my son. I'm broken in health. I've worriedmyself ill over him. I don't mind telling you, sir, that we quarreled.I laughed at his threats. He went away. And I've come to see that Ididn't know Richard. I was wrong to upbraid him. For a year we'veknown nothing of his doings, and now for almost six months we've notheard from him at all. Frankly, Mr. Belding, I weakened first, andI've come to hunt him up. My fear is that I didn't start soon enough.The boy will have a great position some day--God knows, perhaps soon!I should not have allowed him to run over this wild country for solong. But I hoped, though I hardly believed, that he might findhimself. Now I'm afraid he's--"
Mr. Gale paused and the white hand he raised expressively shook alittle.
Belding was not so thick-witted where men were concerned. He saw howthe matter lay between Dick Gale and his father.
"Well, Mr. Gale, sure most young bucks from the East go to the bad outhere," he said, bluntly.
"I've been told that," replied Mr. Gale; and a shade overspread hisworn face.
"They blow their money, then go punching cows, take to whiskey."
"Yes," rejoined Mr. Gale, feebly nodding.
"Then they get to gambling, lose their jobs," went on Belding.
Mr. Gale lifted haggard eyes.
"Then it's bumming around, regular tramps, and to the bad generally."Belding spread wide his big arms, and when one of them dropped roundNell, who sat beside him, she squeezed his hand tight. "Sure, it's theregular thing," he concluded, cheerfully.
He rather felt a little glee at Mr. Gale's distress, and Mrs. Gale'scrushed I-told-you-so woe in no wise bothered him; but the look in thebig, dark eyes of Dick's sister was too much for Belding.
He choked off his characteristic oath when excited and blurted out,"Say, but Dick Gale never went to the bad!... Listen!"
Belding had scarcely started Dick Gale's story when he perceived thatnever in his life had he such an absorbed and breathless audience.Presently they were awed, and at the conclusion of that story they satwhite-faced, still, amazed beyond speech. Dick Gale's advent inCasita, his rescue of Mercedes, his life as a border ranger certainlylost no picturesque or daring or even noble detail in Belding'stelling. He kept back nothing but the present doubt of Dick's safety.
Dick's sister was the first of the three to recover herself.
"Oh, father!" she cried; and there was a glorious light in her eyes."Deep down in my heart I knew Dick was a man!"
Mr. Gale rose unsteadily from his chair. His frailty was now painfullymanifest.
"Mr. Belding, do you mean my son--Richard Gale--has done all that youtold us?" he asked, incredulously.
"I sure do," replied Belding, with hearty good will.
"Martha, do you hear?" Mr. Gale turned to question his wife. Shecould not answer. Her face had not yet regained its natural color.
"He faced that bandit and his gang alone--he fought them?" demanded Mr.Gale, his voice stronger.
"Dick mopped up the floor with the whole outfit!"
"He rescued a Spanish girl, went into the desert without food, weapons,anything but his hands? Richard Gale, whose hands were always useless?"
Belding nodded with a grin.
"He's a ranger now--riding, fighting, sleeping on the sand, preparinghis own food?"
"Well, I should smile," rejoined Belding.
"He cares for his horse, with his own hands?" This query seemed to bethe climax of Mr. Gale's strange hunger for truth. He had raised hishead a little higher, and his eye was brighter.
Mention of a horse fired Belding's blood.
"Does Dick Gale care for his horse? Say, there are not many men aswell loved as that white horse of Dick's. Blanco Sol he is, Mr. Gale.That's Mex for White Sun. Wait till you see Blanco Sol! Bar one, thewhitest, biggest, strongest, fastest, grandest horse in the Southwest!"
"So he loves a horse! I shall not know my own son.... Mr. Belding, yousay Richard works for you. May I ask, at what salary?"
"He gets forty dollars, board and outfit," replied Belding, proudly.
"Forty dollars?" echoed the father. "By the day or week?"
"The month, of course," said Belding, somewhat taken aback.
"Forty dollars a month for a young man who spent five hundred in thesame time when he was at college, and who ran it into thousands when hegot out!"
Mr. Gale laughed for the first time, and it was the laugh of a man whowanted to believe what he heard yet scarcely dared to do it.
"What does he do with so much money--money earned by peril, toil,sweat, and blood? Forty dollars a month!"
"He saves it," replied Belding.
Evidently this was too much for Dick Gale's father, and he gazed at hiswife in sheer speechless astonishment. Dick's sister clapped her handslike a little child.
Belding saw that the moment was propitious.
"Sure he saves it. Dick's engaged to marry Nell here. Mystepdaughter, Nell Burton."
"Oh-h, Dad!" faltered Nell; and she rose, white as her dress.
How strange it was to see Dick's mother and sister rise, also, and turnto Nell with dark, proud, searching eyes. Belding vaguely realizedsome blunder he had made. Nell's white, appealing face gave him apang. What had he done? Surely this family of Dick's ought to knowhis relation to Nell. There was a silence that positively made Beldingnervous.
Then Elsie Gale stepped close to Nell.
"Miss Burton, are you really Richard's betrothed?"
Nell's tremulous lips framed an affirmative, but never uttered it. Sheheld out her hand, showing the ring Dick had given her. Miss Gale'srecognition was instant, and her response was warm, sweet, gracious.
"I think I am going to be very, very glad," she said, and kissed Nell.
"Miss Burton, we are learning wonderful things about Richard," addedMr. Gale, in an earnest though shaken voice. "If you have had to dowith making a man of him--and now I begin to see, to believe so--mayGod bless you!... My dear girl, I have not really looked at you.Richard's fiancee!... Mother, we have not found him yet, but I thinkwe've found his secret. We believed him a lost son. But here is hissweetheart!"
It was only then that the pride and hauteur of Mrs. Gale's face brokeinto an expression of mingled pain and joy. She opened her arms.Nell, uttering a strange little stifled cry, flew into them.
Belding suddenly discovered an unaccountable blur in his sight. Hecould not see perfectly, and that was why, when Mrs. Belding enteredthe sitting-room, he was not certain that her face was as sad and whiteas it seemed.