Reality Against Dreams

Ladd, Lash, Thorne, Mercedes, they were all held tight in Belding's
arms. Then he ran to Blanco Diablo. For once the great horse was
gentle, quiet, glad. He remembered this kindest of masters and reached
for him with warm, wet muzzle.

Dick Gale was standing bowed over Nell's slight form, almost hidden in
his arms. Belding hugged them both. He was like a boy. He saw Ben
Chase and his son slip away under the trees, but the circumstances
meant nothing to him then.

"Dick! Dick!" he roared. "Is it you?... Say, who do you think's
here--here, in Forlorn River?"

Gale gripped Belding with a hand as rough and hard as a file and as
strong as a vise. But he did not speak a word. Belding thought Gale's
eyes would haunt him forever.

It was then three more persons came upon the scene--Elsie Gale, running
swiftly, her father assisting Mrs. Gale, who appeared about to faint.

"Belding! Who on earth's that?" cried Dick Hoarsely.

"Quien sabe, my son," replied Belding; and now his voice seemed a
little shaky. "Nell, come here. Give him a chance."

Belding slipped his arm round Nell, and whispered in her ear. "This 'll
be great!"

Elsie Gale's face was white and agitated, a face expressing extreme joy.

"Oh, brother! Mama saw you--Papa saw you, and never knew you! But I
knew you when you jumped quick--that way--off your horse. And now I
don't know you. You wild man! You giant! You splendid barbarian!...
Mama, Papa, hurry! It is Dick! Look at him. Just look at him! Oh-h,
thank God!"