Nell devoted herself entirely to the
unfortunate girl; Dick exerted himself to persuade her that all
would yet come well; in fact, the whole household could not have
been kinder to a sister or a daughter. But their united efforts
were unavailing. Mercedes seemed to accept with fatalistic
hopelessness a last and crowning misfortune.
A dozen times Gale declared he would ride in to Casita and find
out why they did not hear from Thorne; however, older and wiser
heads prevailed over his impetuosity. Belding was not sanguine
over the safety of the Casita trail. Refugees from there arrived
every day in Forlorn River, and if tales they told were true,
real war would have been preferable to what was going on along
the border. Belding and the rangers and the Yaqui held a
consultation. Not only had the Indian become a faithful servant
to Gale, but he was also of value to Belding. Yaqui had all the
craft of his class, and superior intelligence. His knowledge of
Mexicans was second only to his hate of them. And Yaqui, who had
been scouting on all the trails, gave information that made Belding
decide to wait some days before sending any one to Casita. He
required promises from his rangers, particularly Gale, not to leave
without his consent.
It was upon Gale's coming from this conference that he encountered
Nell. Since the interrupted siesta episode she had been more than
ordinarily elusive, and about all he had received from her was a
tantalizing smile from a distance.
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