He reflected that there
might come a time when it would be desirable, far beyond any
ground of every-day friendly kindliness, to have Mrs. Belding be
well disposed toward him. So he thought about her, and pondered
how to 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. It was a face to make one serious. Like
a haunting shadow, like a phantom of happier years, the
sweetness of Nell's face was there, and infinitely more of beauty
than had been transmitted to the daughter. Dick believed Mrs.
Belding's friendship and motherly love were worth striving to win,
entirely aside from any more selfish motive. He decided both would
be hard to get. Often he felt her deep, penetrating gaze upon
him; and, though this in no wise embarrassed him--for he had no
shameful secrets of past or present--it showed him how useless it
would be to try to conceal anything from her. Naturally, on first
impulse, he wanted to hide his interest in the daughter; but he
resolved to be absolutely frank and true, and through that win or
lose. Moreover, if Mrs. Belding asked him any questions about his
home, his family, his connections, he would not avoid direct and
truthful answers.
Toward evening Gale heard the tramp of horses and Belding's hearty
voice. Presently the rancher strode in upon Gale, shaking the
gray dust from his broad shoulders and waving a letter.
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