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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 1915)
THE SALEM DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM. ORE., SATURDAY. OCT: IS. 131 THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER A Romance of the Bear Tooth Range By HAMLIN GARLAND Cp;rijh(, 1914, by flaarta Quui "''What will jour fatlier dor be called. "Don't worry about bim. He' at dome ti j place there's a tree. He's probably under a balsam somewhere, waiting for this Ire to spill out The only point Is, they may get over the divi.Ii, am If they do It will be slip pery corning back." For the first time the thought that the supervisor might not be able to re turn entered Wayland's mind, but be -lil nothing of bis fear. , The ball soon changed to snow, 'reat. clinging, drowsy, soft, slow moving flukes, and with their coming the roiir died away and the forest be came as silent as grave of bronze. Nothing moved save the thick falling, feathery, frozen vapor, and the world was again very beautiful and very mysterious. "We roust keep the fire going." warn ed the girl. "It will be bard to start after this son king." I He threw upon the fire all of the wood which lay near, and Berrle, tak ing the ax, went to the big flr and cgan to chop off the dry branches which bung benenth. working almost ts effectively as a man. Waylaud ln fcited on taking a turn with the tool, lut hW efforts were so awkward that die lnuglird and took It away again. Toil II have to take lessons In swing-1 lug an ax," she said. "Tbafs part of the Job." Grndunlly the storra lightened, the snow changed buck Imo rain and dual ly to niM. but up on the heights the clouds atlll rolled wildly, and through heir openings the white drifts bleakly fthone. "It's all In the trip." said Berrle. Ton havo to take the weather as It comes on the trail.". As the storra les sened she resumed tho business of AJLi. You'll havo to take liiuni (n swinj. Ing an an," ih said. "That's part of the job." cooking the mM.lny meal, and at 2 o'ehtck I bey were ililo to eat In com parative comfort, though the tunnelled iinow sllll rnvered the tree, and the water dripped from the branches. "Isn't It benmlfuir' exclaimed Wny iKitd, with glowing, boyish face. "Tile laiidvape Is like a Clirl.ilmns card.' "It wouldn't be so beiiullful If you Itnd to wallow through teu miles of It," (die sngcly responded, "hnddy will be wet to the skin, for I found be didn't take bl slicker floivever, the sun may be out before night. That's the way the thing goes In Hie bills." To the youth, though the peak were olorro bid, the afternoon win Joyous. Ilerrlo was sweet companion. Un der her supcri-hlou he practiced at chopping ood and took a baud at cooking. lie bad to admit that she was bolter nbie to care for herself In the wilder nous than most nivti.evou western men, and, though lie bud uot yet witnessed dUplny of her skill with a rllte, be was re-idy to believe that she could Kliixit as well as ber sire. Neverthe less be liked ber better when engaged lu purely femlulue duties, and be led Hie talk back to subjects concernlug which tier seccb was let blunt and manlike. He liked her when aha was Joking, for delicious llille curve of la liter played about ber Hps. She lcatue very mining as she (old of ber "vIhIi 1 w Mil si east" and of ber embarrassments la the homes of city friends. "I Just have to owa op that aboat all tie schooling I've got Is from the maga tines. Soinetimea I wish I bad pulled out for town whea I was aboot four teen; but. yon see, I didn't feel like leaving mother, and sbe didn't feel like letting me go, and so I just got what I could at Bear Tooth." She sprang up. "There's a patch of blue sky. Let's go see If we can't get a grouse" Together they strolled along the edge of the willows. "The grouse come down to feed about this time," she said. "We'll put up a covey soon." Within a quarter of a mile tbey found their birds, and sbe killed four with Ave shots. "This Is all we need," she said, "and 1 don't believe In killing for tbe sake of killing. Bangers should set good examples In way of game preser vation. They are deputy game war dens In most suites, and rood ones too." The night rose formidably from the valley while they ate their aupper, but Berrle remained tranquil. "Those horses probably went clean back to the ranch. If they did, daddy can't pos sibly get back before 8 o'clock, and be may not get back till tomorrow." Norcroiia, with bis city training, ws acutely conscious of the delicacy of the situation. In his sister's circle a girl left alone In this way with a man would have been very seriously em barrassed, but it was evident that Ber rle took it all Joyou-sly, Innocently. Their being together was something which bad happened in the natural course of weather, a condition for which they were In no way responsi ble. Therefore she permitted berself to be frankly happy In the charm of their enforced Intimacy. She had never known a youth of bis quality. He was so considerate, so re fined, so quick of understanding and so swift to serve. He filled ber mind to the exclusion of unimportant mat ters like the snow, which was begin ning again. Indeed, ber only anxiety Concerned bis health, and as be tolled amid the falling Bakes, Intent upon heaping up wood enough to last out the night, she became solicitous. Ton will be soaked." sbe warnlng ly cried. "Don't stay out any more. Come to the Ore. I'll bring In the wood." Something primeval, some strength be did not know be possessed sustain ed him, and be tolled on. "Suppose this snow keeps falling?" he retorted. "The supervisor will not be able to get back tonight perhaps not for a couple of nights. We will need a lot of fuel." Ho did not voice the fear of the storm which filled his thought, but the girl understood It. "It won't be very cold," she calmly replied. "It never Is during these early blizzards, and, besides, all we need to do is to drop down the trail ten miles, and we'll lie entirely out of It" "I'll feel safer with plenty of wood," he argued, but soon found it necessary to rest from his labors. Coming 1n to ramp, be seated himself beside ber on a roll of blankets, and so together they tended the Ore and watched the durkness roll over the lake till the shining crystals seemed to drop from a measureless black arch, soundless and oppressive. "What time Is It now!" she asked abruptly. He looked at his watch. "Half aft er "If father Isn't on this slda of the divide now be won't try to cross. If he's coining down the slope he'll be here lu an hour, although that trail Is a tolerably tough proposition this min ute. A patch of dead timber on a dark night Is sure a nuisance even to a good man. He umy not make it" "Couldn't I rig up a torch and go to meet him r" She put ber hand on his arm. "You stay right here!" she commanded. "You couldn't follow that trail five minutes." "You have a very poor opinion of my skill." "No, I haven't; but I know how hard It U to keep direction on a night like this, and 1 don't want you wandering around In tho timber. Father can tnke care of himself. He's probably sitting under n lilg tree smoking his ple tie- fore his lire or else he's at home. He knows we're all right, and v.e are. We have wood and grub and plenty of blankets and a roof over us. You can make your bed under this fly." she said, looking lip at the canvas. . "It bents the old balsam as a roof. You mustn't sleep cold again." "I think I'd better sit up and keep the lire going," be replied heroically. "There's a big log out there that I'm going to bring in to roil up on the windward aide.'' "It'll Ik cold and wet eirly In the morning, and I don't like to hunt kin dllug lu the snow." she Mid. "1 al ways get everything ready the night before. I wish you bud a better bed It eeeina selfish of me to have the tent tvhllo you are cold " CHAPTtR VIII. Tho Walk n the Rain. ONK by one, nnder her super vUion, bo made preparations for morning Ho cut aome shavings from a dead, dry brunch of fir and put tbein uuder the By and brought a bucket of water from the creek, and then together they drag ged up the dead tree. Had the young limn been other than he was, (he girl's purity, candor and elf reliance would have con .1 ue red hi in, and when she withdrew to the little tent ami let rail the frail barrier between them she was a safe from In trusion a If she bad taken refuge be hind gates of triple brass. Nothing In all his llfn bad moved hi in so deeply as ber solicitude, her sweet trust la his honor, and he sat long In profound meditation, any man would be rich Id the ownership of ber love be admitted. That be possessed ber pity and ber friendship be knew, and be began to wonder if be bad made a deeper ap peal to ber than this. "Can it be that I am really a maa to bee," he thought, "I who am only a poor weakling whom tbe ra!a aad snow can appall i" Then be thought of the effect of this n.'ght npon ber life. What would Clif ford Belden do now? To what deeps would bla rage descend If he should come to know of it? Berrle was serene. Twice sbe spoke from her couch to say: "You'd better go to bed. Daddy can't get here till to morrow now." "1 11 atay op awhile yet My boots aren't entirely dried out" After a silence she said: "You must not get chilled. Bring your bed into the tent There is room for you.' Oh, no, that Isn't necessary. I'm standing It very well." You'll be sick!" sbe urged. In a voice of alarm. "Please drag vour bod In side the door. What wonld I do If you should have pneumonia tomorrow? Yon must not take any risk of a fever." The thought of a sheltered spot, of something to break the remorseless wind, overcame his scruples, and be drew his bed inside the tent and rear ranged It there. "loo're half frozen," sbe said. "Yoar teeth are chattering." "I'll be nil right In a few moments, he said. "Please go to sleep. 1 shall be snug as a bug In a moment." She watched his shadowy motions from her bed, and when at last be had nestled Into bis blankets sbe said, "If yoo don t lose your chill I'll heat a rock and put It at your feet" He was ready to cry out in shame of his weakness, but be lay silent till he could command his voice, then he said "That would drive me. from the coun try In disgrace. Think of what the fellows down below will say when they know of my cold feetf "They won't hear of It, and. besides. It Is better to carry a hot water bag than to be Inld up with a fever." Her anxiety lessened as bis voice re sumed Its pleasant tenor flow. "Dear girl," be said, "no one could have been sweeter more like a guardian uugel to me. Don t pluce me under any greater obligation. Go to sleep. I am better- much better now." She did not speak for a few moments, then In a voice that conveyed to him a knowledge that his words of endear ment bod deeply moved her she softly said. "Good night" He beard her sigh drowsily there after once or twice, and then She slept and her slumber redoubled In him his sense of guardianship, of responsibili ty. Lying there lu the shelter of ber tent, the whole situation seemed sim ple, Innoceut and poetic. But looked at from the standpoint of Clifford Belden It held an accusation. "It cannot be helped," be said. "The only thing we can do Is to conceal the fact that we spent the nlgbt beneath this tent alone." In the belief that the way would clear with the dawn, he, too, fell asleep, while the fire sputtered and smudged in the fitful mountain wind. The second dawn came slowly, as though crippled by the storm and wall ed back by the clouds. With a dull ache In his bones. Way- land crept out to the fire and act to work fanning the coals with bis bat as he had seen the supervisor do. He worked desperately till one of the em bers began to angrily sparkle and to smoke. Then, slipping awny out of earshot, ho broke an armful of dry fir branches to heap above the wet char red logs. Soon these twigs broke Into flame, and Berrle, awakened by the crackle of the pine branches, called out, "Is It davllghtr "Yes, but It's very dark daylight Don't leave your warm bed for the dampness and cold out here. Stay where yon are. I'll get breakfast" "How are you this morning? Did yon sleep?' "Fine!" "I'm afraid you bad a bad night" she Insisted, In a tone which Indicated ber knowledge of his suffering. "Camp life has Its dlsnd vantages." he admitted, as he put the coffee pot on the fire. "But I'm feeling bettor now. I never fried a bird In my life, but I'm going to try It this morning. I have some water heating for your bath." He put the soap, towel and ba sin of hot water Just Inside the tent Hap. "Here It Is. I'm going to bathe In the lake. I must show my hardi hood." When he returned he found the girl hill dressed, alert and glowing, but she greeted him with a touch of shyness and self consciousness new to her, and her eye veiled themselves before hU glance. "Now. where do you suppose the su pervisor Is?" be asked. "I hope he's at home." sbe replied unite seriously. "I'd hate to think nr bim camped, In the high couutry witn out bedding or tent." "Ouglitu't 1 to take a turn up the trail and see? I feel guilty, somehow, I must do something." "You can't help matters any by hoof ing about In the nmd. No, we'll Just bold the fort till he cornea. That's bat he'll expect us to do." He submitted once more to the force of her argument, and they ate break fast In such Intimacy and good cheer that the bight's discomforts and anx ieties counted for little. "We have to camp here again to night," sbe explained demurely. "Worse things could bapien than that." he gallantly answered. "I wouldu't mind a month of It, only I shouldn't want It to rain or snow ad the time." . . Toot boy! Tou did suffer, didn't Ton? I was afraid you would. Did you sleep at all!" she asked tenderly. "Oh, yea, after I came inside; but. of course I was more or less restless expecting yoar father to ride op." 'That's fanny. I never feel that way. I slept Hke a log after t knew you were comfortable You most havo a better bed and more blankets. It's always cold op here." Tbe sunlight was short lived. Tbe clouds settled over the peaks, and rag ged wisps of gray vapor dropped down the timbered slopes of the prodigious amphitheater in wblch tbe lake lav. Again Berrle made everything snog while her young woodsman toiled at bringing togs for the fire. At last fully provided for, tbey sat contentedly side by side under tbe awnlna and watched the fallinir rain as it splashed and sizzled on tbe sturdy ore. "its a little like being sbip- W recked on riauort Inland. Isn't it?" he said.' "As if our boats bad drifted way." At noon sbe again prepared an elab orate meal. Sbe served potatoes and arouse, hot hlsmilr with smur sinin and canned peaches and coffee done to Just tbe right color and aroma. He declared It wonderful, and they .ate 1th reoeated wishes that the suuer- vLsor might turn up In time to share tueir reast but be did not. Then Berrle said firmly: "Now you must take snooze, ion look urea. He was in truth not only drowsy, but lame and tired. Therefore be yielded to her suggestion. She covered bim with blankets and put bim away like a child. "Now yon have a good sleep." she said tenderly. 'I'll call you when daddy comes." When he woke the cround was azain covered, with snow, and the girl was feeding the fire with wood which her own bands hud supplied. Hearing bim stir, she turned and xed ber eyes upon bim with clear. soft gaze. "How do you feel by now?" she asked. "Quite made over." be replied, rising alertly. His cheer, however, was only pre tense. He was greatly worried. "Some thing has happened to yoar father, be said. "Ills horse has thrown bim, or he has slipped and fallen." His peace and exultation were gone. 'How far i it down to the ranger station?" "About twelve miles." "Don't you think we'd better close camp and go down there? It is now o clock. We can walk It in five hours." She shook ber head. "No. I think we'd better star richt here. It's a long, hard walk, and tbe trail Is mud dy." "But, dear girt," he began desperate ly. "It won't do for us to enmn bere alone in this way another night What will Cliff say?" She flame J red. then whitenpd. "I don't care what Cliff thinks. I'm done with bim, and no one that I really care about would blame us." Sbe was fully aware of his anxiety now. "It Isn't our fault" It will be my fault if I keen vou here longer!" be answered. "We must reach a telephone and send word out Something may have happened to your father." "I'm not worried a bit about him. It may be that there's been a bis snow fall UP above us. or else a windstorm i uo trail may be blocked, but don't worry, ue may have to co round bv Lost Lake pass." She pondered u mo ment ,"i reckon you re right We'd better pack up and rack down the trail to the ranger's cabin not on my ac count, but on yours. . I'm afraid you've taken cold. "I'm all right excent I'm verv lame. but I am anxious to go on. By tbe way, is this ranger Settle married?" "No; bis station Is One of the lone. somest caolns oh the forest No wo man will stay there." This made Waylnnd ponder. "Nev ertheless." bo decided, "we'll co. Aft. er nil, the man Is a forest ollicer, and you are tho supervisor's daughter." alio mado no further protest but busied berself closlmr tbe nnnulers and putting away the camp utensils. She seemed to recogiilze that bis Judgment was sound. It was after S when thev left the tent and started down the trail, carry Ing nothing but a few toilet articles. lie stopped at the edge of the clear ing. "Should we have left a note for the supervisor?" The trees were drtrmlmr. the willows heavy with water, and the mud ankle deep In places, but she pushed on steadily, and he, following In ber tracks, could oulv marvel at ber strength and sturdy self reliance. The swing of her shoulders, tbe poise of oer noad and tbe lithe movement of ber waist made bis own body seem a poor thing. For two hours they tlgrngged down a nniTOW eanron hnavlls llmharl with flr and spruce, a dark, stern av ue, crossed by roaring streams and filled with freqiicut boggy meadows. wneieon tue water lay mldleg deep. get out of tbla very soon." she called cheerll. By dvRrewi tbe gorut widened, grew more oiien. more ueuhil. A&nen thick- eta of pale goia flashed upon their eyes iue sunlight, and gmssy bunches af forded firmer foollii- hnt on the sloiic their feet slipped and d painfully Still Berea kept ber stride. "We must get to the middle fork before dark." ... "ivtm iv rxpiain. lor uuu i i tiniw lh. Bn . i . i . I he stopped to explain, "for I doo --v.. t.nli uvnq meiv, uu iurm a lot of down Umber Just above, the station. Now that we'lw cut Kxwo from our camp I feel nervons. As long as I have a tent I am all right, but now we are In the open I worry. How are rml Mtan.lltiw Itv pl. .....iii kim with keen and anxious glance, ber band tk i. - a . . . .1 upon nw arm. Mia, .... ... I .. . puuio,- d repueu, 1 umlog a spirit be did not possess, a V T7T-J I f S IP?! Im feiift She Found Horoelf Confronted by an Endless Maze of Blackened Tres Trunks. "but you are marvelous. I thought cowgirls couldn't walk." ' "I can do anything when I have to," she replied. "We've got three boors more of It." And sbe warnlngly ex claimed, "Look back there!" They bad reached a point from which the range could be seen, and, heboid. It was covered deep with a seamless robe of new snow. "That's why dad didn't get back last night He's probably wallowing along up there this minute." And abe set off again with resolute stride. Wayland's pale face and labored breath alarmed ber. She was filled with love and pity, bnt she pressed forward desper ately. At last tbey came to the valley floor, over which n devastating fire bad run some years before and which was still covered with fallen trees In desolate confusion. Here the girl made her first mistake. She kept on toward tbe riv er, although Wayland called attention to a trail lending to the right np over tbe low grassy bills. For a mile tbe path was clear, but sbe soon found herself confronted by nn endless maze of blackened tree trunks," and at last the path ended abruptly. DlRmayed and halting, she said: "We've got to go back to that trail whlcb branched off to tbe right I reckon that was the highland trail which Settle made to keep out of the swamp. I thought It was a trail from Cameron peak, but It wasn't Back we go." She was suffering keenly now, nol on her own account, but on bis, for she could see that he was very tired, and to climb np that hill again was like punishing him a second time. When she picked up the blazed trail It was so dark that she could scarcely follow It but she felt her way onward, turning often to be sure that he was following. Once she saw him fall and cried out: "It's a shame to make you climb this hill again. It's all my fault. I ought to have known that that lower road led down Into the timber." Standing close beside him In the darkness, knowlug that he was weary, wet and III. sbe permitted herself the expression of ber love and pity. Put ting her arm nbout him, sbe drew hi? check against her owu, saying: "Pool boy. Your hands are coid ns ice. She took them in her own warm clasp. un. i wish we bad never left tbe camp! What does It matter what peo ple sayf Then she broke down and walled. "I shall never forgive myself ir you -- Her voice failed ber. He bravely reassured her: "I'm not defeated. I'm Just tired. That's all I ran go on." "But yoo are shaking." "That Is merely a nervous chill. Tm good for another hour. It's better tc keep moving anyhow." She thrust ber hand under his coat and laid It over his heart "You are tired out" she said, and there was anguish to her voice. "Yoar heart is pounding terribly. You mustn't dn any more climbing. And, berk, there'" a wolf!" He listened. "I hear bim. but we are both armed. There's no danger from wild animals." "Come!" she said. Instantly recover Ing her natural resolution. "We can't stand here. The station can't be far away. W must go on." CHAPTER IX. Tho Other Girl. T HE girl's voice stirred the be numbed youth Into action again and he followed ber mechaa. It Sib. Oftfll atllml.il,,. -- M1IU1 the trees, slliinlui- an. I aii,n. . last bis gulda, pitching down a sharp slope, came directly u.k.u a wlr fence "Glory be!" she culled. "Here b a feuee. and tbe cabin should be near although I aeo no light Uello! Tony"' Xo voice replied, and. keeping Way. land's band, sbe felt her wny along iuc ivn ncr wny slant- I h fnnra till I b i . ti ivrrnieu a gate then h turned toward tbe roaring of the stream, which grew louder as they ad noed. "The cabin Is near the falls nat much I know." she assured hlm' Th"" moment later sbe Joyfully crtej Out "Hem It ! ftnt nf K .I--L. Out of the darkne. a hui,-. ... er shadow re, Again she called, but HA ,MA - , - me ranger Is waT" he exclaimed. In a voice of In- dlgnant alarm. Leading him toward the middle of the room. Be trie said: "Stand bere till I strike a light" - - - As ber match flamed np Norcross foand himself la a rough walled cabin. In which,. stood a square cook, stove, a rade table littered ' with dishes, and three stool, made of slabs.-' It was al! very rude, but It had all tbe value of a palace at tbe moment - The girl's quick eye saw much else. Sbe located an oil lamp, some pine wood and a corner cupboard. In a few moments the lamp was lit the store refilled with fuel and ebe was stripping Wayland's wet coat from his back, cheerily dtsconrstng as she did so. "Here's one of Tony's old Jackets, put that on while I see If I can't find some dry stockings for you. Sit right down here by tho stove; put your feet In the oven. I'll have a fire In a Jiffy. There, that's right. Now I'll start the coffee pot" She soon found the coffee, but It was unground. .. "Wonder where he keeps bis coffee mill." She rummaged about for a few minutes, then gave up the search. "Well, no matter, here's the coffee, and here's a hammer. One of the laws of the trail is this: If yoo can t do a thing one way, do It an other. I depend on this coffee to brace you up," she said. Arter hanging a blanket over tbe broken window, sbe set oat some cold meat and a half dozen baking powder biscuits, which sbe found In tbe cap board, and ns soon as the coffee was ready she poured It for bim, but she would not let him leave the fire. She brought bis supper to him and sat be side him while he ate and drank. The hot. strong coffee revived bim physically and brought back a little of his courage, and be said. "I'm ashamed to be sucb a weakling." "Now, hush," sbe commanded. "It's not your fault that you are weak. Now, while I am eutlng my supper you slip off your wet clothes and creep into Tony's bunk, and I'll fill one of these sirup cans with bot water to put at your feet" It was of no use for bim to protest against her further care. She Insisted, and while Bhe ate he meekly carried out ber instructions, and from tbe de licious warmth and security of bis bed watched her moving about tbe stove till tbe shadows of tbe room became one with the dusky figures of bis sleep. A moment later, as It seemed, some thing falling woke him with a start and, looking np, be found the son shin ing and Berrle confronting him with an anxious face. "Did I waken you?" sbe 'If you can't do a thing on way, another.'' do It asked. "I m awfully sorry. I'm trying to be extra quiet I dropped a pan. How do you feel this morning?" ne pondered this question a moment "Is it tomorrow or the next week?" She laughed happily. "It's ouly the next aay. He laid bis hands together and then ten or dis pulse. "I don t seem to have a temperatnre. I Just feel lazy. ump and lazy, but rm going to get np, If you'll Just leave the room for a moment" Don t try it now. Walt till yoo have had your breakfast Tou'll feel stronger tnea. At this point came again the disturb ing realization that this nlcht of strmr gle and tbe ministrations of bis brave compnnion nad Involved him deeper In mestl from which, honorable escape was almost impossible. The ranger's cabin, so far from being an end of their compromising Intimacy, had add ed and was atili adding to the weight of evldene agatust them both. The presence of tbe ranger or the super visor himself could uot now save Berea from the gossips. She brought hUr breakfast to bim. . .j . . " sai oesiae him arhn. i.. ... iwsiue mm chatting the while of thoir .t e. tune. "It la glorious outside, and I am jure daddy will get across today, and Tony Is certain to turn up before uoon. He probably went down to Coal City get bis tualL" . "l musl l nn on." he said. In Panic of fear and shame. "Tbe su pervbwr must not find me laid out on Sh8 went out, closing tbe door behind her. and a. be crawled from bla bed mr, muscle In hU body seemed to cry out against being moved. Never theless be iersisted and atJast suc- ceeded in PutUnToTbiTT his shoes, though, he found tw laces the hardest task 0 was at tbe wash basin tatuS,. J and bands when Berrie h,. bl entered. "Some, tourist. ."""'1 h she anmmnced lu elL., , . su people, a . ' among them. Is Jnst com, a slope. Now. who do ... tt be? It would l,i , : r woe It our ,7k V should turn out to be son ""I the mUL" ' e 0De from He divined at once the re, , dismay. The visit of ,0rH moment would no, merely to alertness. "Nothing: all e can .In i. pat and act as if we belonged Very well." I.e'renlled. mn.."!. eimeu. movin,.,,. ly toward the door. -ilere'8 can be of some srri. " bete i' cellent white liur " ' aa M' The beat of boof upon the brl, drew bis iittenth.n to the cavsil , which Mm J 7. ca,cadV detected n it mnm T. 1 nv lj f.- V I ? nr T hA .- i . east. The wirtv rnni.i f and twn Tvnnior .1 0 tttai " s.ii uuu mice nack how completely outfitted for the trail , spurring... horse to tbe frout, rode serenelv m.7 when. Wnrln.,,1 ...., .. .eneuPti ..-: , mu called out'1 Good morning! Are you tjie rangerw No: lm only the guard. The , L He perceived at once that th ,.v er was an alien like himself, for lbj wore tan colored riding boots. , dl I vided skirt of expensive cloth nd J Jaunty, wide rimmed sombrero, si1 looked Indeed precisely like tbe hero, toe of the prevalent western dram. Her sleeves, roffed to the elhn. . closed shapely brown arms, and her' ucv. uuiv io uer oosoni. was equally sun stnit, but she was so round cht ed, so childishly charming, that the most critical observer could flod no1 iuuii wun uer makeup. One of the men rode un. "Heiin Norcross. What are you doing over uere t The youth smiled morning. Mr. Belden, apprenticeship. I'm uow." blandly. "Good I'm serving mr in the servks "The mischief you are!" exclaimed the other. "Wbere'a Tony?" i "Gone for his mail. He'll return soon. What are you doing over here, may I askr "I'm bere aa guide to Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore, this Is Norcross, one of McKarlane's men. Mr. Moore Is con nected with the tie camp operations of tbe railway." Moore was a tall, thin man with i gray beard and keen blue eyes. I Where's MeFarlane? We were to meet him hire. Didn't he come over with youT' i Wo started together, but tbe horses got away, and be was obliged to go back after them. He also Is likely to turn up soon." "I am frightfully hungry," interrupt- ed the girl. "Can't you hand me out t hunk of bread and meat? We've beea riding since daylight" , Berrle suddenly appeared at the door. "Sure thing," she called out "Slide down and come in." Moore removed his bat and bowed. "Good morning, : Miss MeFarlane. I didn't know yon were here. Too know my daughter Slona?" Berrie nodded coldly. "I've met her." He Indicated tbe other woman. "Ami .Mrs. Belden, of course, you know." Mrs. Belden, the fourth member of the party, a middle aged, rather flabby person. Just being eased down from her horse, turned on Berrie with a bat tery of questions. "Good Lord! Ber tie MeFarlane, what are you doing over in this forsaken hole? Where's your dad? And where ta Tony? If OH had known you was over bere he'd have come too."- Berrle retained ber self possession. "Come In and get some coffee, sad we'll straighten things out" Apparently Mrs. Belden did not know that Cliff and Berrle bad -quarreled, for she treated the girl with ma ternal familiarity. She was a good m tured, well intentloned old sloven, but a most renowned tattler, and the girl feared her more than she feared any other woman In, the valley. Sbe bad always avoided her, but sbe showed nothing of this dislike nt the moment Wayland drew the younger woman's attention by saying. "It's plain that yoo, like myself, do not belong to the parts. Miss Moore.'!. "What makes you think so?" ib brightly queried. "Yoar costume Is too appropriate. Haven't yoo noticed that the womea who Uve oat bere carefully avoid con venient and artistic dress? Now. yoor KUtflt Is precisely what they should tvenr and don't." This amused her. "I know, but they 1 any they have fo wear oat their Sunday go to meeting clothes, wfiereu I can 'rig out proper.' I'm glad yo like my "rig." " At the moment he was bent on dra" Ing the girl's attention from Berrie. but as she went on be cams to lit ber. Sbe said: "No, I doVt belong hero. but 1 como out every year during vaca tion with my fatlier. I love this coun try. It's so big and wide and wM- Father has built a Uttle bungaw down at tbe lower mill, and we enjoy very day of ourjtay.." (Continued next Saturdays OurWapt'Adsere tkuarcbound tobrufiflj Results uou warn Try Ot7Q tomorrow