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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 1915)
THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER A Romance of the Bear Tooth Range By HAMLIN GARLAND Copyright, I9U, by Hsmli Oarlutf "TUU Is our ranch." she explained. "All the meadow la sight belong to wi." , J The young easterner looked about In fiHtorilnhrueuL Not a treo bigger than his thumb gav (buds. The gate of Ilia cattle corral itood but a few feet from the kltcbon door, and rusty beef liones, bleaching skulls and scraps of mm dried hides littered the ground or liung upon (he fence. Exteriorly the low cabin made a drab, depressing pic ture, but as be alighted, upon Berea's Invitation, and entered the bouse be wna met by a sweet faced, brown hair ed IK tie woman, In a neat gown, whose bearing was not In the least Awkward or embarrassed. "This Is Mr. Norcross, the tourist I told you about," explained Herrle. Mi-s. McFitrlane extended her small Jin id Willi friendly Impulse. "I'm very Kind to meet you, sir. Are you golug to spend some time at the mill?" "I don't know. I have a letter to Mr. Meeker from a friend of mine who bunted Willi blin last your a Mr. Sut ler," "Mr. Sutler! Oh, we know him very well. Won't you sit down?" The lntorlor of the bouse was not only well kept, but presented many uvldenees of refinement A mechanical jiliuw stood against the log wall, and liooks and magazines, dog eared with sm. Uttered the table, and Norcross, feeling the force of Nash's half ex pressed criticism of bis "superior," I In toned Intently to Mrs. Mclfarlnue's pologles for the condition of the farm yard, "Well," said Berea sharply, "If we're lo reach Uncle Joe's for dinner we'd belter be son tchlng the hills." And lo her mother she added, "I'll pull In ftlKMit dark." The mother offered ho objection to her daughter's plan, and the young peo ple rode off together directly toward the high peaks to the east, . CHAPTER III. A Forester's Ssoret. THE! trail, hardly more than a wood road, grew wilder and lonelier is they climbed. Cuttle fed on the hillsides lu scattered bands like elk. II era and there a small cabin stood ou the bunk of a stream, but for the uiost part the trull mounted the high slopes in perfect 'solitude. The gli'l talked easily and leisurely, reading the brands of the ranchers, re venting the number of cuttle they own ed, quite a a young farmer would iinva done. Bbe seemed not to be em imrrnssed lu the slightest tegree by the fact that she was guiding a strange inn n over a lonely rund and gave no outward sign of special Merest In him (111 she suddenly turned to ask, "What kind of a slicker I tneau a raincoat did you bring?" lie looked blank, "I don't believe 1 brought any. I've a lea I liar shooting Jacket, however." Plie shrugged her shoulders mid look ed up at the sky. "We're In for a Hloriii. You'd outiUt 'o have a slicker, no fancy 'raincoat.' but a real old fash ioned cow puncher's oilskin. They iinike a business of shedding rain." Him Mile ou for a few mlutiles lu si lence, as If disunited with bis folly, but sbo wns really Worrying about blin. "Poor chap!" sho said to her self, "lie can't stand a chill. 1 ought to have thought of bis slicker myself, lie's helpless in a baby." ,,Tbey wore climbing fust now, wlud lug upwind along the bank of a Hlieuiii, and the sky bud grown sud denly gray, and the woodland path Mils dark and chill. Too mountains were not lens beautiful, but they were decidedly less amiable, and (lie youth tiblveied, dieting an apprehensive eye nt the thickening clouds. Iteroa perceived something of his dis may and, drawing rein, diHUKiuutcd. Ilelilml tier saddle was a lightly rolled bundle which, being untied unj shuken etil, proved to be u horsciiiHU' iulu proof otlsklu cout, "Cut this on!" she voiitiini titled. "Oh, uo," be proteeted. "I cau't take jour coat." "Ves you caul You uuistl Don't you worry about inc. I'm uned lo weather. Put this on over your Jacket and all. Vou'll need It ItMlti won't hurt uie, but It will Jut about flnl.ih you." The wont of (his lay lu Its truth, slid Norcross lot all his pride of set for (be moment A wetting would not dim this girl's splendid color nor r-dn.-o bur rltulliy one degree, while to blm It might be death warrant. "You could throw m over my own lni'e," he admitted la a kind of bitter admiration and slipped (be cost bo, ahlvrrlug with co!J as he did ao. "You think me t poor excuse for a trailer, don't you?" be ssld ruefully as I be I bunder heft a (o roll. "You've got to be all made over sew," she replied tolerantly. "Stay here a year and you'll be able to stand anything." Remounting, she again led the way with cheery cry. The rain came dash ing down Id fitful, misty streams, bat she merely pulled the rim of her sotn brero doner over ber eyes and rode steadily on, while be followed, plunged In gloom as cold and gray as the storm. "These mountalo showers don't last long," the girl called back, her face shining like a rose, "We'll get the sua la a few minutes." And so It turned out lo less than an hour they rode luto the warm light again, and In spite of himself Norcross returned ber smile, though be said: "I feel like a selfish fool. You are soaked." "I never take cold," she returned. "I'm used to all kinds of weather. Don't you bother about me." Topping a low divide, the youth caught a glimpse of the range to tbe southeast, which took bis breath. "Isn't that superb?" be exclaimed. "It's like the shining roof of tbe world!" "Yes, that's the Continental divide," she continued casually, but tbe lyrical note which be struck again reached ber heart The men she knew bad so few words for tbe beautiful In life. Sho wondered whether Ibis man's ill ness bad given him this refinement or whether It was native to bis kind. "I'm glad be took my coat," was ber thought She pushed on down the slope, rid ing bard, but U was nearly 2 o'clock when they drew up at Meeker's bouse, which was a long, low, atone struc ture built along the north side of the road. Tbo place was distinguished not merely by Its masonry, but also by Its picket fence, which bad once been whitewashed. Farm wagons of various degrees of decay stood by tbe gate, and In the barnyard plows and harrows deeply burled by the weeds were rusting forlornly away. A little farther up the stream tbe tall pipe of a sawmill rose above the firs. A pack f dogs of all Bir.es and signs came clamoring to tbe fence, followed "I don't feel right In leaving you hsre," he said st lust. - . by a big, slovenly dressed, red beard ed ma u of sixty or thereabouts. "Hello, Uncle Joe!" called the girl In o IT band boyish fashion, "liow are you today?" "Ilowdy, glii," answered Meeker gravely. "What brings you up here this time?" She laughed. "Here's a boarder who wants to learn bow to raise cattle." Meeker's face lightened. "I reckon you're Mr. Norcross? I'm glad to see ye. Unlit olT and make yourself to home. Turn your horses Into the cor ral. The boys will feed 'em." Without ceremony Meeker led bis guests directly luto the dining room, a long and rut her narrow room, where in a woman and six or seven rough ly divided young men were sitting at a rudely appointed table. "Kai'tli and seas!" exclaimed Mrs. Meeker. "Here's iterrlo, and I'll bet (hut's Suitor's friend, our boarder." "Hist along I bcre, boys, and give the company a chance," she command ed sharply. "Our dinner's turrlble late tHly." The boysthey were lu reality full grown culm of eighteen or tweuty did as they were bid with much noise, chatting llerile with blunt humor. Meeker read Sutler' letter, which NorcroiM had handed blm, and, after deliberation, remarked: "All right, we'll do the best w cu for you, Mr. Nor cross, but we haveu't any fancy accom modations," "He don't expect auy," replied Ber rle. "What be need U a little rough ing If." "There's plluly of that to be had," aid one of (he herders, who sat below the salt " Tit (lie soft life I'm uadlu'." One of the bids, Frank Mocker, a dark, luteins youth of about twenty, was Herea's full cousin. The others Were merely hired hands, but they all eyed the new comer with disfavor. The fact that Iterrlo hnd brought hlu anj that she seemed Interested la blm added to Uie effect of the smart riding suit which lie wore. "I'd like to Mil hliu In the creek," muttered one of thi-tu to his ueUihbor. THE SALEM DAILY CAPITAL This dislike Berrle perceived la some degree, and to Frank she privately said: "Now, you fellows have got to treat Mr. Norcross right He's been very sic k." Frank maliciously grinned. "Oh, well treat blm light We won't do a thing- to him!" "Now, Frank," she warned, "If you try any of your tricks on blm you'll bear from me." .. "Why all this worry on your part?" be asked keenly. "How long since you found him?" The girl Herself did not understand the vital and almost painful interest wbloh this young man bad roused la her. He was both child and poet to her, and as she watched blm trying to make friends with the men, ber Indignation rose against their clownish ofllshiicss. . "I don't feel right lu leaving you here," she said at lust, "but I must be rliliu'." And while Meeker ordered ber horse brought out she walked to the gute with Norcross at ber side. "I'm tremendously obliged to you," he said, and bis voice was vibrant "You hove been most kind. How can I repay you?" "Oh, that's all right," she replied, in true western fashion. "I wanted to see the folks up here, anyhow. This Is no Jaunt at all for me." And, look ing at her powerful figure and feeling the trupllke grip of ber cinch band, be knew she spoke tbe truth. And so she rode away, leaving ber ward to adjust himself to bis new and strange surroundings as best be could, and with ber going the whole valley darkened for the convalescent It was soon apparent to the eastern observer that the entire male popula tion for thirty miles around not only knew McFarlaue's girl, but that every unmarried man and some who were both husbands nnd fathers kept a deeply Interested eye upon her dally motion, and certain shameless ones openly boasted among their fellows of their Intention to win ber fnvor, while the shy ones reveled in secret exulta tion over every chance meeting with ber. She was the topic of every lum ber enmp and tbo shining lure of ev ery dance to which tbe ranch hands often rode over long and lonely trulls.. Port of this intense Interest was due. naturally, to the scarcity of desirable; women, but a larger part was called out by Berea's frank freedom of man ner. Her ready camaraderie was taken for carelessness, and the candid grip of her hand was often misunderstood, sud yet most of the men respected her, and some feared ber. After ber avow ed choice of Clifford Belden they all kept aloof, for be was hot tempered and formidably swift to avengo an In sult At the end, of a week Norcross found himself restless and discontented with the Meekers. He was tired of fishing, tired of tbe old man's endless argu ments and tired of the vulgar cow huuds. The men around the mill did not Interest blm, and their Saturday night spree at the saloon disgusted him. Tbo one person who piqued bis curiosity was London, the ranger, who was stationed not far away and who could be seen occasionally riding; by. on a handsome black horse. There was something lu his bearing, In his neat and serviceable drab uniform, which attracted tbe convalescent and on Sunday morning he decided to ven ture a call, nlthotigh Frank Meeker bad said the ranger was a "grouch." Ills cabin, a neat log structure, stood Just above the road on a huge natural terrace of grassy bowlders, and the Dug which fluttered from a tall staff before It could be seen for several Dillon, the blight sign of federal con trol, tbo symbol of law and order, Just as the saloon aud the mill wrro signs of lawless vice nnd destructive greed. Around the door Dowers bloomed and kittens pluyed. The cabin's Interior pleased Wayland almost as much us the garden. It wus built of pine logs neatly matched uud hewed ou on side. The ranger, spurred und belted, with his cult's turned buck, wus pounding the typewriter when Wnylnnd appear ed nt the open door, but he rose with grave courtesy. "Come in," he said, and his voice hud a pleasant lutlectloii. "I'm Interrupting." , "Nothing serious; Just a letter. There's no hurry. I'm always glud of uu ex cuse to rest from this Job." He was at once keenly Interested lu his visitor, for bo perceived In blm tbo gentleman and, of course, the alien. Waylaud, with something of (ho feel ing of a clvllltiu reporting to an otllcer, vxplulued bis presence In the neighbor hood. "I've heard of you," responded the ranger, "aud I've beeu hoping you'd look lu on mo. The suin-rvlsor's daugh ter bus Just written me to look after you. She said you were not very well." Again Way la ml protested that be was uot a consumptive, only a student who u ceded mount tl n air, but he added, "It I very kind of Mia McFurlati to think of me." "Ob, she thinks of everybody!" the young fellow declared. "She's one of the moat uusultlsh creature lu the world." Something In the music of this speech, aud something In the look of th rn user's eyes, caused Way Is ml to wonder If here were not still another of Uerrte' subject. He became cer talu of It a the young otllcer went on, with pleasing frankness, and It was not long before be bsd conveyed to Way Imul hi cause for sadness, "She' en gaged to a wan that Is not her g.ul lu a certain sense no man U her equal, but Ueldeu Is a pretty bard type, arid I believe, although I cant prove It that h 1 part owner of the saloon over there." "How doe that !oou happen to be trr JOURNAL, SALEM, ORb'-, "If on patented land-a so called 'placer claim' expert have reported against It McFarlane bas protested against It, but nothing 1 done. Tbe mill la also on deeded Und, and togethr er they are a plagne spot I'm tbelt enemy, and they know It, nnd they'v threatened to burn me out Of course they won't do that, but they're ready to play any kind of trick on me." "I can well believe that for I am getting my share of practical Joke at Meeker'.," ; . "They're not a bad lot over there only Just rowdy. 1 suppose they're Initiating, you," said Laudon. "I didn't come out here to be a cow boy," responded Norcross, "but Frank Meeker seeuis to be anxious to show mo all the good old cowboy courtesies. On Monday he slipped a burr under my horse's saddle, and I came near to having my neck broken. Then be or some one else concealed a frog In my bed and -fouled my hair brushes. In fact I go to sleep each night in expec tation of some new attack, but tbe air and tbe riding are doing me a great deal of good, and so I stay." Thereafter Wayland spent nearly ev ery day with the ranger, either In bis cabin or riding the trail, and during these hours confidence grew until at last London confessed that his unrest ncose from hi rejection by Berrle. "She was not to blame, she's so kind and free wltb every one I thought I bad .a chance. I was conceited enough to feel sorry for the other fel lows, and now I can't even feel sorry for myself. I'm Just dazed and bang lug to tbe ropes. She was mighty gentle about It You know bow sunny her face is. Well, she Just got grave and kind o' faint voiced and said Oh, you know what she said! She let me know there was another man. I didn't ask ber who, and when I found out I lost my grip entirely. At first I though I'd resign and get out of tbe country, but I couldn't do it I can't yet The chance of seeing her of hearing from' her once in awhile she never writes except on business for her father, but you'll laugh I can't see ber signature without a tremor." Uo smiled, but hi eyes were desper ately sad. "Oh, I'm crozy! 1 admit It I didn't know such a thing could happen to me, but It has." . As Wayland listened to this out pouring be wondered at the intensity of the forester passion. He mar veled, too, at Berrle' choice, for there was something fine and blgb In Lon don's worship. A. college man with a mining engineer's training, he should go high la the service. "He made tbe mistake of being too precipitate as a lover," concluded Wayland. "His forthright courtship repelled her." CHAPTER IV. A Warning. MEANWHILE bis own troubles Increased: Frank's dislike bad grown to an Impish vln dlctlveuess, . and If the old man Meeker had any knowledge of his sou's deviltries be gave no sign. "I dou't know why I tuy," Way land wrote to Berea. "I'm disgusted with the men up here they're all tire some except Laudon-i-but I hate to slink away, and, besides, the country is glorious. I'd like to come down and see you this week. May I do so? Please, send word that I may." She did not reply, and, wondering whether sho had received bis letter or uot, be mounted bbj horse one beauti ful morning and rode away up tbe trail .wltb a sense of elation, of eager Joy, . with Intent tp call upon her at the ranch as be wont by. Hardly bad he vanished among the pines whon Clifford Belden rode In from his ranch on Hat creek and call ed at Meeker's for his mall. Frank Meeker was In Uie office, and as he both feared and disliked this big contemptuous young cattleman be set to work to make him Jealous. "You waut to watch this one lung boarder of ours," be warned, with 'a grin. "He's been wilting to Berrle, and he's Just gone down to see her. His blghfalutln ways and his flue white bunds have put her on the slant" "I'm not worrying," retorted Belden. "You'd better be. I was down there the other day, end It 'peered like sho couldn't talk of anything else but Mr. Norcross, Mr. Norcross, till I was sick of bis name." An hour Inter Itelden loft the mill and set off up the trail behind Nor cross, his fa co fallen Into item lines. Frank writhed In delight "There goes Cliff, hot under the collar, chasing Nor cross. If he finds out that Berrle Is interested lu hlin he'll just about wring that dude's neck." . Meanwhile Wayland was riding through tb pass with lightening heart his thought dwelling on the girl ot the eud of his Journey. As be reached Hit McFarlau ranch it seemed deserted of men, but n fnlnt column of smoke rising from tbe roof of the kitchen gave evidence of a cook, and at hU knock Berrle came lo tbo door with a boyish word of frank sur prise and pleasure. She was dressed lu a blue and white calico gowu. with the collar turned in and the sleeves rolled up. but she ecmed quite unem barrassed, and ber pleasure In hi com ing quite repaid blin for hi long and tiresome tide. "I've beeu wondering about yon," be said. "I'm mighty glad to se yon. How do you hi a nd It?" "You got my letter?" "I did, and I was going to writ and tell you to com down, but I't had some special work to do at tb office." She took the horse' rein from him, aud together they tarttd toward, th (table. This action of stabling tb horn. ft perfectly lunoceat and natural on for her, led on of tb baud, a coarse uludoJ, ueak, to watch tbem from ft SATURDAY. OCT. 2. 1915. "I've bn wondering about you," she said. corral "I wonder how Cliff would like that?" he evilly remarked. ' Berea was frankly pleased to see Wayland nnd spoke of the Improve ment which bad taken place In him. ''You're looking fine," she said as they were returning to the house. "But bow do you get on with tbe boys?" "Not very well," be admitted. "They seem to have It In for me. It's a con stant fight" , Her face grew grave. "I reckon you got started wrong," she said at last "They'll like you better when you get browued up and your clothes get dir ty. You're a little too fancy for them Just now." "I don't believe I want any more of their company. What' the use? As you soy, I've started wrong with them, and I don't see nuy prospect of getting right; and, besides, I like the rangers better. Lnndon thinks I might work Into the service. I wonder If I could? It would give me something to do." She considered a moment. "We'll think about that Come into tbe kitch en. I'm cook today. Mother's gone to town." Tbe kitchen was clean and ample, aud the delicious odor of new made bread filled it with cheer. As the girl resumed her apron Wayland settled Into a chair wltb a sigh of content "I like this." he said aloud. "There's nothing cowgirl about you now; you're the Anglo-Saxon housewife. You might be a Michigan or Connecticut girl at tills moment." Her cheeks were ruddy wltb the heat and ber eyes Intent on ber work, but she caught enough of his meaning to be pleased with It "Oh, I have to take a band at the pots and pans now and then. I can't give all my time to the service, but I'd llko to." He boldly announced bis errand. "I wish you'd take me to board. I'm sure your cooking would build up my shat tered system a good deal quicker than your nunt's." She laughed, but shook her bead. "You ought to be on the hills riding hnrd every day. What you need Is the high country and the fllr of the phies." She bad read that victims of the white plague always talk In this cheer ful way about themselves, and sho worked on without replying. "If I were hore In the valley you nnd I could ride together now and then, and you could show me nil the trolls. Why not let me come hero and board? I'm going to ask your mother If I mny not do so." "Of course you can come here." she en Id when she saw he was In earnest "Mother will be glnd to have you, al though our ranch Isn't a bit pretty. Perhaps father will send you out with one of the rangers as a fireguard, ril ask blm tonight." "I wish you would. I llko these for. esters what I've seen of , them. I wouldn't mind serving under a man like Lnndon. He's fine." Upon this pleasant conference Cliff Belden unexpectedly burst Pushing the door open with a slam, he con fronted Berry with dark and angry face. "Why, Cliff, where did you come from?" she asked, rising In some con fusion. "I dldu't hear 'you ride up." "Apparently not." he sneerlngly an swered. "I reckon you were too much occupied." She tried to laugh awny his black mood. "That's right I was. I'm chief cook today. Come In and alt down. Mother's gone to town, and I'm play ing her part." she explained, ignoring hi sullen displeasure. "Cliff, this Is Mr. Noronws, who Is visiting Uncle Joe. Mr. Norcross, shake hands with Mr. Belden." She made this Introduc tion with some awkwardness, for her lover' fallnre to even say "Howdy" Informed her that bis Jealous heart was aflame, and she went on quickly. "Mr. Norcross dropped In on his wny to the postofTlc, and I'm collecting snack for blm." Recognising Belden' claims upon the girl. Wayland rose. "I must b going. It's a long ride over tbe MIL" "Com again oon." urged Berrle. "Father wants to e yon." "Thank you. I will look In very shortly." he replied and went out with such dignity as he could command, feeling, however, very much ltk a dog that has been kicked over th thresh old. . Closing the door behind him. Belden turned upon the glrL "What's that onsumptlve 'dogie doing here? He tared to be rery much at borne with you too dern much nt home!" " She was prepared for his displeasure, but not for words like these. She an swered quietly: "He just dropped In on his way to town, and he's not a dogle!" She resented his tone as well as bis words. "I1,, ttanrri ahnnf- vnn tflklncr blm over to Meeker's and lending blm your vixtj oiit.ac mo tvus. - expect to find him slttln' here like be . .1 .h. Vi.,'m tlr. niii m " nn oran r nn mir iiifiii r owneu you nnu iue yiute. lng altogether too much pains with him. Can't be put his own horse out? Do you have to go to the stable with himl Vam navop riM hnvR nnv sense about your actions with men. You've all along Deen too tree or your repuia Hnn nnri now I'm entni? to take care of It for you." I won't have you nursln' this runt any longer!" Sho rorcelveri now thn fnll measure of his base rage, nnd her face grew pale and set. "You're mnuing a per fect fool of yourself. Cliff," she said, with portentous calmness. "Am I?" he asked. MYnn anro nro anil vnn'l! floo If- rnlir- self by and by. You've no call to get wire eageu about Air. jNorcross. tie s not very strong. He's just getting well of a long sickness. I knew a chill would finish him, that's why I gave him my slicker. It didn't hurt me, and maybe It saved bis life. I'd do It again If necessary." "Since when did you start a hospital for eastern tenderfect?" be sneered, then Ills tonA chnnifprl tn nnA nf rtnwn. right command. "You want to cut this an out, i leu you: i won't nave any more of It! The hovs nn nt tbo mill nn, all talkln' about your Interest in this little wbelp, nnd I'm getting tbe brand ing Iron from everv nnu I inert Snm saw you go Into the barn with that auue, ana mat would have been all over the countrv tomorrow. If I hnrln' told blm I'd sew his mouth up if be said a word about it Of course I don't think you mean anything by this cod dllu'." "Oh. thank you," she Interrupted, with flaming, quick, indignant fury. "That's mlghy nice of you. I went to the barn to show Mr. Norcross where to Btoll his horse. I didn't know Sam was here." He sneered: "No, I bet you didn't" She fired at this. "Come now! Some thing nasty Is in your mind. Go on! What have I done? What makes you so hot?" He began to weaken. "I don't accuse you of anything. I but I" "Yes, you do in your heart you dis trust me you just as much as said so!" He was losing his high air of com mand. "Never mind what I said, Ber rle. I"- She was biasing now. "But 1 do nilnd-I mind a whole lot I didn't think it of you," she added as she re alized his cheapness, his coarsehess. "I didn't suppose you could even tblnk such things of me. I don't like it" she repeated, and her tone hardened, "and 1 guess you'd better pull out of bere-for good. If you've no more faith hi me than that I want you to go nnd never come back." "You don't mean that!" "Yes, I do! You've shown this yel low streak before, and I'm tired of it This Is the limit I'm done with you." She stood between tears aud benumb ing anger now, and be was scared. "Don't say thnt, Berrle!" he pleaded, trying to put his arm nbout her. "Keep away from me!" She dashed his hands aside. "I bate you. I never want to see you again!" She ran Into ber own room and slammed the door behind her. Belden stood for a long time with bis back against the wall, the beat of his resentment utterly gone, an empty aching place in his heart He called her twice, but she made no answer, and so at last he mounted his horse and rode away. Young Norcross, much as be admired Berrle, was not seeking to exchange ber favor for her lover's enmity, and he rode awny with an uneasy feeling of bnvlng innocently made trouble for himself as well as for a fine, true heart ed girl. "What a good friendly talk we were having," he said, regretfully. "And to think she is to marry that big, scowl Ing brute! How could she turn Lau don down for a snvnge like thnt?" He wns Just leaving the outer gate when Belden came clattering up nnd reined his horse across the path and called out: "See here, you young skunk! joure a poor, white llvered tender foot, and I can't bust yon as I would a full grown man, but I reckon you better not rWo tulg tral, Why not?' inquired Wayland. Belden glared. "Because I tell you SO. Jour Bvmnnthv h,,iin. L Just about run Into the ground. You've mis uany. dodge about long enough, rou're not so almighty sick as you put up to be, and you'd better hunt some other cure for lonesoraeness or I II Just about cave your chest In." All this wns shockingly plain talk for a slender young scholar to listen to. but Norcross remained calm. "I think you're unnecessarily excited," be re marked. "I have no desire to make trouble, I'm considering Mis Berea. who is too fine to be worried by us," ni tone was conciliating, and the cowman. In spit of himself, respond ed to It "Tbaf why I advise you to go. She wis all right till you came. Colorado' a big place, ana there are Plenty other flu range for men of your compl.lnt Why not try Routt county? Tills Is certain, you cnt stay In th tame valley with my girl. I serv notice of that" "You'r making a prodlglou as tf youtielf observed Wayland, wltb cajm contempt. J " . "You think, o. do you?: Well in make a Jack rabbit out of yen if i find you, on. this ranch again. You worked .on .my girl. In some wsy m she's just about quit me. I don't sm bow you did It you measly little pim but you surely have turned ber against me!" His rage burst into flame as h thought of ber last words, "if o were so touch as half a man I'd break you In two pieces right now, hut yon r, not You're nothing but a dead on th hoof lunger. ind there's nothing to d but run you out. So take this as your final notice. You straddle a horse soil head east and keep a-rldin', end If I catch you with my . girl again I'll deal you a whole hatful of misery. Now I bat's right 1" -Thereupon." wltji a flnal glance of bate in hi face, be whirled his horse and galloped away,, leaving Norcross dumb with resentment, intermingled with wonder. - "Truly the west is a dramatic conn- . try! Here I am Involved in a lover', wrath and under sentence of banish ment all within a mouth! Well, I suppose there's nothing to do but car ry out. Belden's orders. He's the boss." he said us he rode on. . "1 wonder Just what happened nfter I left? Some? tblujj stormy evidently. She most have given hlra a sharp rebuff or he wouldn't have been so furious with . me. Perhaps she even-broke her en gagement with him, I sincerely hop be did. She's loo good for him." And so from point to point he pro gressed till, with fine indignation, he reached a resolution to stay nnd meet whutever came. "I certainly would bs a timorous animal if I let myself be scared into flight by that big bone bead," be said at last Nevertheless he felt very wenk and very much depressed as he rode np the street of the little town and dis mounted at the forest service building. CHAPTER V. Th Supervisor of the Fortst NASH, who was alone in the gov erntuent office, looked np from bis work. "Come In," he call ed heartily. "Come in and re port." J . "Thank you. I'd like to do so. And may I use your desk? I have a letter to write." "MnJce yourself nt home. . Take any desk you like. The men are all out on duty." "You're very kind." replied Wayland, gratefully. There was something re assuring tn this greeting and In tbe many signs of skill and scientific read ing which the place displayed. It wns like a bit of Washington In the midst of a careless, slovenly, lawless moun tain town, and Norcross took his seat and wrote bis letter wltb a sense of proprietorship. "I'm getting up an enthusiasm for the service just from hearing Alec Belden rave against It," be said a few minutes later, as he looked up from his letter. ' Nash grinned. "How did you like Meeker?" "He's a good man, but he has bis pecu liarities. Belden Is your real enemy. He Is blue with malignity so are most ot the cowmen I met up there. . I wish I could do something for the service. I'm a thoroughly up to date analytical chemist and a passable mining engi neer, and my doctor says that for a year nt least I must work In the open nlr. Is there anything in this forest service for a weakling like me?" Nnsh considered. "I think we can employ you, but you'll hnve to go on as fire guard or something like that for the first year. You see, the work Is getting to be more and more technical each year. . As a matter of fact"-here he lowered his voice a little "McFar lnne Is one of the old guard nnd will have to give way. He don't know a thing about forestry and Is too old to lenrn. His girl knows more about It tban he does.; She helps blm out on office work too." Wayland wondered a little at the freedom of expression on the part of Nnsb, but sold, "If he runs bis office as he runs his ranch he surely Is con demned to go." "Well, you get Berrle to take up your case and you're nil right She has the say about who goes on the force In this forest" It was late in tbe afternoon before Wayland started bnjk to-Meeker', with Intent to repack bis belongings ni leave the ranch for good. He hnd ae- elded not to call at McFarlaue's, a de-' clslon which came not so much from fear of Clifford Belden as from de sire to shield Berea from further trou ble, but as be was passing tbe gate the girl rose from behind a clump of willows and called to him:1 "Oh. Mr. Norcross! Wnlt a moment!" ' He drew rein and, slipping from hi horse, approached her. "What is It Miss Berrle?" he asked, with wonder ing politeness. (ConHnhed next Saturday.) Builds New Hons on Eanch Lais Bros, are making some sub stantial Improvements on their big ranch up on Silver ereek. They have erected a new house end are now busily engaged in building fences. Joe Lais, who is looking after the ranch, was i the city Monday attending to busineo matters. Silverton Appeal. OurWart'Adsare; WoribGx)wirAboulBocai3 they arcbound tobnr?0 Results uou want Try Ono tomorrow