Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1915)
THE DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, NOV. G, 1015, I THE FORESTERS ;! DAUGHTER ii ; A Romance of the Bear -- Tooth Range ' ':r By HAMLIN GARIAND t Copyright 1911, Hamlin Garland J The story went along very smoothly (111 the girl came to the second night in camp beside the lake. There ber "Vou'r splendid," she insisted. "No body oould be braver." voice faltered, and the reflective look In the mother's eyes deepened as she learned that her daughter bad shared her tent with the young uiau. "It wag the only thing to do, mother," Berrle bravely said. "It was cold and wet outside, and you know , be .ian't very Hlrong. and bis toetb were chattering lie was so chilled.. I know It sounds Hlrnn?e down here, but up there In the woods In the storm what 1 did seemed right and natural, foil know what 1 Mieau. don't you?" .. "Von, I understand. I don't blame you only If others should hear of II"- . ' "But they won't. No one knows of ur being alone thore except Tony and father." "Are you sure? Doesn't Mrs. Belder (now?" "I don't think so not yet." Mis. McFarlnne's nervousness grew. "I wish you hadn't gone on this trip If the Ueldong II ml out you were alone Itvlth Mr. Norcross they'll niako mud) of It. It will give them a chance at your father." tier uilud turned upon miother oUit "When did Mr. Nor 'iross got his full?" "On the way back." Here Berrle JiCNllalrd ngulii. "1 don't like to tell jou, mother, but be dldu't fall; Cliff Jumped him and tried to kill blm." The mother doubted her cars. "Cliff .did 7 iiov,- did be buppeii to meet ..von?" Berrle was quick to answer. "1 dou't know bow he found out wo wore on (lie trail, I suppose the old lady jihoned him. Anyhow, wbilu wo were vamped for noon yesterday" bur face llunicd ugalu at thought of that tender, beautiful moment when thuy were vesting on the KrutM "wlilla we were nt our I. inch be ciinio tearing down the Jilll on that big liny horso of tils and look u flying Jump at WuylaniL Ax ,'Wnylaud went down ho Htruek his bead on n stone. I thought ho was dead, and I was paralysed for a sec ond. ' Then 1 tlew ut Cliff and Just iitiout choked the life out of him. I'd Jmvo ended him right there If he hadn't let go." ' Mm. MtFarlune, looking upon her daughter In amazement, saw ou her nice the shiulow of tho deadly rugu hlch hud burned lu her heart as she clinched young lielileu's Hi rout. "What then? What happened then?" "lie let go, you bet." tier smile ciiuio buck. "When did Ibis lake placer "Yesterday about 2. Of cnurac Way land couldn't ride, be was so dlszy and hind o' confused, and so I went Into rump right there at timber line. Along nlioul sunset Nash came riding up from this side and Insisted on staying to help mo, so I lot lilm." Mm. McFurluno's tense attitude re in led. "Mash Is not the kind that tat tles. I'm glud he turned till." "And this morning t saddled and ennio down." '"Did Nnsh go on!" "Yes. Daddy wng watlJng for him, mo I let blm go along." "It's all sad business," groaned Mrs. MeKnrlsno, "and 1 can seo you're keep ing something buck. How did OUT liitppen to know J nut whero you were, mill what started you back without your father?" for the first time Berrle showed signs of weakness uml distress. "Why, you see. Alec Hidden and Mr. Moore were over (here to look at some ttm !r, and old Mann llelden and that Moore girl went along. I suppose they sent word to Cliff, and I presume that Moore girl put nlm-on our trail, Least wise that's the way I figure It out That's the worst of the whole busi ness." She admitted this with dark ened brow. ' "Mrs. Beldon's tongue Is bung In the middle aud loose at both ends and that Moore girl is ; spiteful mean." She could not keep the con tempt out of ber- voice. ! "Oh, I wish you badu't goneP' ex claimed the worried mother. "It can't be helped now, and It hasn't done me any real harm. It's all In the day's work anyhow. I've always gone with daddy before, and this trip Isn't going to spoil me. The boys all know me, and they will treat me fair." "Yes, but Mr. Norcross is an outsid er, a city man. They will all think evil of blm on that account." "I know. That's what troubles me. No one will know bow Hoe and con siderate be was. Mother, I've never known any one like blm. He's a poet! 1 don't care what people say of me if only they will be just to him. They've got to treat him right," she added firmly. "Did be speak to you are you en gaged?" Her bead drooped. "Not really en gaged, mother, but be told me how much he liked me, and It's all right, mother, 1 know It Is. I'm not One enough for hi in, but I'm going to try to change my ways so he won't be ashamed of me." Mrs. McFarlane's face cleared. "He surely Is a One young fellow and can be trusted to do the right thing. Well, we might as well go to bed. We can't settle anything till your father gets home," she said. . Wayland rose next morning free from dizziness and almost free from pain, and when he came out of his room his expression was cheerful. "1 feel as II I'd slept a week, and I'm hungry. I don't know why I should be, but 1 am." Mrs. McFarlane met him with some thing very Intimate, something almost maternal In her look, but her words were as few and ns restrained as ever. He divined that she bad been talking with Berrle and tbnt a fairly clear un derstanding of the situation had been reached. That (bis understanding In volved blm closely.be wss awaro, but nothing in his manner acknowledged It She did not ask any questions, be lieving that sooner or' later the whole story must come out The fact that Slona Moore and Mrs. Bolden knew thut Berrle had started back on Thurs day with young Norcross made It easy for the villagers to discover that she had not reached the ranch till Satur day. "What could Joe have been think ing of to allow (beta to go?" she said. "Mr. Nuah's presence In the camp must be made known, but then there is Clif ford's! assault upon Mr. Norcross. Can that be kept secret too?" And so while the young people chatted the troubled mother waited In four, knowing that lu a day or two the countryside would be aflame with accusation.. .', A long day's rest second night's sleep, set Wayland on his reel. , lie came to breakfast quite gay. "Barring the hickory nut ou the back of my bead," be explained, "I'm- feeling fine, almost ready for another expedition. 1 may make a ranger yet" Berrle, though equally gay, was not so sure of his ability to return to work. "I reckon you'd better go easy till duddy gifts back, but if you feel like it we'll ride up to the postotliee this afternoon." "I want to start right In to learn to throw thut lilleh, and Tin going to practice with uu ax till I can strike twice lu the suine place. This trip was nn eye opener, tireat man I'd be lu a windfall, wouldn't I?" Uu whs persuuded to remain very qulel for another (lay, aud part of It was spent In conversation with Mrs. McFurluue, whom ho liked very much, aud uu hour or more In writing n long letter wherein he an nun need to his fa ther his intention of going Into the forest service. "I've got to build up a constitution," bo said, "and 1 don't know of a better place to do It In. Be sides, I'm beginning to bo interested lu the scheme. 1 like (ho supervisor. I'm living lu his house at the present time, and I'm feeling contented and huppy, so don't worry about mo." He was Indeed quite comfortable, suve when he renll.ed that Mrs. Mo Furluno whs taking altogether too much for grunted lu their relationship. It was delightful to Iic'no watched over, so waited iihii, so Instructed. "But where Is It all leading me?" he con tinued to ask himself, and still that wall of reserve troubled and saddened Berrle. On the fourth morning tho phone nun;, and the squawking voleu of Mrs. llelden came over the wlre-"l wanted to know If Berrle and her fuller got home nil right?" "Yes, (hey arrived safely." The old woman chuckled. "Last I see of Cliff he was hot on their trull looketl like ho ei peeled to lake a baud In that expedition, Did lie overtake 'em?" "1 don't heur very well. Where are you?" "I'm nt the Scott ruueh. Wo'ro com ing round 'the hoi u' today." "Where Is the supervisor?" "He headed aeixiss yesterday. Say, Cliff was mad as a hornet when he started. I'd like to know what hap pened" Mrs. MoFurlnno hung up the receiver. The old woman's nasty chuckle was In tolerable, but lit silencing the phone Mrs. McFarlane was perfectly aware that she was not silencing the gossip; on the contrary, she was certain that tlie IMdcus would leave a . trull of poisonous comment from the I' tar ml gun to Bear Tooth. It was all sweet material for them. Berrle wanted to know who was sinking, and Mrs. Moli'arhinu replied, "Mrs. llelden wauled to know If you got through all light" "She suid something else, something to heat you up," porslstiMt the girl, who perceived Eer mother's agitation. "What did she say something about tue-and Cliff? The mother did not answer, for Way land entered the room at the moment but Berrle knew that traducers were already busy with ber affairs. "I don't care-anything about old ludy Belden," she said later, "but I bate to have that Moore girl telling lies about me' CHAPTER XV. Wayland Hears From Home. IT was almost noon of the fourth day when the supervisor called up to say that he was at the of fice aud would reach the ranch at C o'clock. "I wish you would come home at once," his wife argued, and something lu her voice convinced him that he was more needed ut home than In the town. "All right, mother. Hold the fort an hour, and I'll be there." Mrs. McFurluue met blm at the hitch ing bur, and it required but a glance for him to read in her face a troubled stute of mind. "This bus been a disastrous trip for Berrle," she said after one of the bunds bad relieved the supervisor of his horse. "In what way?" She was n bit Impatient "Mrs. Bel den is filling the valley with the story of Berrle's stay in camp with Mr. Nor cross." Ills face showed a graver line. "It couldn't be helped. The horses had to be followed, and that youngster could not do it, and, besides, I expected to get back thut night Nobody but an old snoop like Seth Belden would think evil of our girl, and, besides, Norcros3 Is a man to be trusted." "Of course he is, but the Beldens are ready to think evil of nny one connect ed with us. And Cliff's assault on Wayland" He looked up quickly. "Assault! Did he make trouble?" "Yes. He overtook them on the trail and would have killed Norcross If Ber rle hadn't Interfered. He was crasiy with Jealousy." "Nash didn't say anything about auy assault." "He didn't know It. Berrle told blm that Norcross fell from his horse." "Good God! I never suspected a word of this. I didn't think he'd do that." ....... He fixed another peneratlng "look upon ber face, and his voice was vi brant with anxiety as he satd, "Yon don't think there's anything wrong?" "No, nothing wrong, but she's pro foundly In love with blm. I never have seen her so wrapped up lu any one. She thinks of nothing else. It scares me to see It, for I've studied him closely and I can't believe he feels the same toward her. His world Is so different from ours. I don't 'know what to do or say. I fear she Is In for a period of great nnliapplness." The return of the crew from the corral cut short this conference, and when McFarlane went In Berrle greet ed blm with such frank and Joyous ex pression that all his fears vanished. "Did yon come over the high trail?" she asked. "No, I en me your way. I didn't want to take any chances of getting mired. It's still raining up there," he answered; then turned to Wayland: "Here's your mull, Norcross, a whole hatful of it and one telegram lu the bunch. Hope It Isn't serious." Wayland took the bundle of letters and retired to bis room, glad to escape the persistent' stare of the cowhands. The dispatch was from bis father aud wug curt aud specific as a command: "Shull be lu Denver on the 23d, Meet me at tho Palmer House. An) on my way to California. Come prepared to Join me ou the trip." With the letters unopened In his lap he sut lu silent thought, profoundly troubled by the inslnut decision which this message demanded of him. At first gluuce nothing was simpler than to puck up and go. Ho was only a tourist lu the valley, wllh no intention of staying, but there was Bereal To go meant a violent end of their pleas ant romance. To think of flight sad dened blm, and yet his bettor Judg ment wus clearly uu the side of going. "Much As I like her, much us ( admire "Qood Lord," exclaimed NororoM in sudden realisation of the gravity of the acts, "what beasts they arsl" her, I cannot marry her. The simplest way Is t;o frankly tell her so and go. It seems, cowardly, but In the end she will be happier." ;HIJeters carried him back Into bis own wor)d. i One was from JV-U Halll-. day, who was going with Professor Holsman,',on. au exploring trip up the -Nile.. . "You must Join us. Holsmaa has promised to take you on." An other classmate wrote to know if be did not want.' to go into a land deal on the gulf of Mexico. A girl asked: "Are yoifto be lu New York this win ter?' I am. I've decided to go into this suffrage movement." And so, one by one, the threads which bound blm to eastern city life respun their fila ments. 'After all, this Colorado out lug, even! though it should last two years, would only be a vacation. ' His real life was in the cities of the east Charming as Berea was, potent as she seemed, she was, after all, a fixed part of the mountain land and not' to be (akeil from it At the moment mar riage with her appeared absurd. A knock at his door aud the super visor's voice gave him a keen shock. "Come lu.u: he called, springing to bis feet with a' thrill of dread, of alarm. McFarlane entered slowly and shut the door behind him. His manner was serious and his voice gravely gentle as he said, "I. hope that telegram does not call y'oii away." "It Is from my father asking me to' meet him; in Denver," answcred'Nor cross, with faltering breath. "He's on his way to California. Won't you sit down?" It ' The older man took a scat with quiet dignity. "Seems like a mighty fine chalice, don't it? I've always wanted to see the coast. When do you plan for to piif out?" "I haven't decided to go at all. . I'm still dazed by the suddenness of It. I didn't know my father was planning this trip.? ' "I see. Well, before you decide, to go I'd like ' to have a little talk with you. My daughter has told pie part of what happened to you on the trail. I want to know all of It. You're young, but you've been, out in the world; and you know,-what people can say about you and -my girl." His voice became level aud menacing as he added, "And I don't intend to have her put In wrong on nct oiint of you.'". . Norcross waai quick to reply. "No body will dare-, accuse her of wrong Y.oiiig. She's a noble girl. No one will Sure to criticise her for what she could not prevent" ('''' "Yoa; don't know the Beldens. My girl's character will, be on trial' In v-. ery house In the -county tomorrow. The Belden side of It will appear lu the city papers. Sympnthy will be with Clifford. " Berrle will be made an Issue by my enemies They'll get me through her." ' ' "Oood 'fjord,", exclaimed Norcross lu sudden realization of the gravity Of the rase, "what "beasts they are!" "" "Moore's gang will seize upon' It and work It! hard," McFarlane went on, with calm Insistence. ' "They wnntto bring the. district forester down on me. This Is ii fine chance to badger me. They .will make n irreat deal of' my putting you on' the roll. Our little camping trip in likely to prove a seri ous matter- to us al." "Surely you don't consider me at fault." i--'- v.. . .. Worried, as he. was, the. father. was Just "No, you're not to blame. No one is lo blame.. i It all dates back to the horses quitting camp. But you've , got to stand - put now for berrle's ake." ' "But what can I do?. I'm at your service. What pole shall I play? Tell me what to do and 1 will do it." - McFarlane was-staggered, but be nu iwered: "You can at leust stay on tho ground unit help fight. This is no time to stampede." "You're right. I'll stay, and I'll make any statement you see fit. I'll do any thing that will protect Berrle." McFarlane ugalu looked blm square ly In the 'eyes. "Is there a nn agree ment between you?" . "Nothing formal that Is,' I mean 1 admire her, ami I told her" Ho stop ped, feeling himself on the verge of the Irrevocable. - "She's a splendid girl," he went on. "I like ber exceed ingly, hut I've known ber only a few weeks." . McFarlane Interrupted. "Girls are flighty critters," he said sadly. "I don't know why she's taken to you so terrible- strong, but she has. She don't seem to care what people say so long as they do not blame you. But If you should pull out you might Just as well cut her heart to pieces'' His voice broke, aud it was a long time before lie could finish. . "You're not nt fault I know that but If you can stay on a Utile while ami make it an ounce or two easier for her aud for her mother I wish you'd do It." Wayland extended his band Impul sively. "Of course I'll stay. I never really thought, of leaving." In the grip of McFarlane's bund was some thing warm and tender. Borrlu could not be entirely deceived. She read la her father's face a subtle change of line which she related to something Wayland bad said. "Did ha tell you what was In the telegram? Has ha got to go away?" alio asked anxiously. "Yea, he said It was from his fa ther." "What does bis father want of him?" "lie's on his way to California and wants Wayland to go with him, but Wayland says he's not going." A pang shot through Berrle's heart "He mustn't go-he Isu't a Me to go," she exclaimed, and her pn In, her fear, came out In her sharpened, constricted tone. "I wou't, let him go till he's well." Mrs. McFarlane gently Interposed. "He'll have to go, honey, If his father noods htm." "Let bis father come hero." She rose and, going to his door, decisively knocked. "May I come In?" she de manded rather than asked before her mother could protest. "I must see you." Wayland opened the door, and she entered, leaving her parents facing each other In mute helplessness! . Mrs. McFarlane turned toward her husband with a face of despair. "She's ours no longer, Joe. Our time of be reavemeut has come," - He took her In his arms. "There, there, mother, don't cry. It can't be helped. Yon eat loose from your par ents and came to me in Just the same way. Our daughter's a grown w.oninn and must have ber own life. All we can do is to defend ber against the coyotes who are busy with her name." "But what of him,' .Toe; he don't care for ber as she does for him. Can't you see that?" "He'll do the right, thing, mother; he told me he would. He knows how much depends on his staying here now. and he Intends to do it." "But in the end, Joe. after this scan dul is lived down, can he will he marry ber? And If he marries her can they live together and be happy? His way of life Is so different. . He can't content himself here, aud she can't tit in where he belongs. It all., seems hopeless to nie. Wouldn't It be bet ter for her to suffer for a little while now than to make a mistake that may lust a lifetime " ."Mebbe it would, mother, but the decision is not ours. She's too strong for us to control. She's of age, and if she comes to a full understanding of the situation she can decide the ques tion a whole lot better than either of us." "Thut's true," she sighed. "In some ways she's bigger and stronger than both of us. Sometimes 1 wish she were not so self reliant" When Wayland caught the startled look on Berrle's face be knew that she hnd learned from her father the con tents of bis telegrum and that she would require an explanation. "Are you going away?'.' she asked. . "Yes. At least, I must go down to Denver to see my father. I shall be gone only overnight" . "And will you tell him about our trip?" she pursued, with unflinching di rectness. "And about me?" , He gave her a cbulr and took a sent himself before replying. "Yes, I shall tell him all about It and about you and your- father and mother. . He shall know how kind you've all been to me." He said this bravely, and at the mo ment lie meant It. but as his father's big, Impassive fuce aud cold, keen eyes came back to blm. bis courage sank, and in spite of bis firm resolution some part of his secret anxiety communicat ed Itself to the girl, who asked many questions with Intent to And out more particularly what kind of man the eld er Norcross was. . Way land's replies did not entirety re assure her. He admitted that bis fa ther was hnrsh and domineering la character and that be was -ambitious to buve bis son tuke up and carry for ward bis work. "He was willing enough to have me go to college till lie found I was specializing on wrong lines. Then I had t fight In order to keep my place. He's glad I'm out here, for he thinks) I'm regaining my strength. But Just us soon as I'm well enough he expects me to go to Chicago and tuke charge of the western office. Of course I don't want to do that I'd rather work out some problem In chem Istry that Interests me, but I may buve to give in for a time at leust." "Will your mother and -sisters be with your rattier?" "No, Indeed! You couldn't get any one of them west of the Hudson river with a log chulu. My sisters were both born in Michigan, but they want to forget it They pretend they have forgotten . it. They both have New Yorkltls. Nothing but the big hotels will do them now." "I supposo they think we're, all 'In juns' out here?" "Oil, no, not so bad as that But they wouldn't comprehend anything about you except your muscle. That would catch 'cm. They'd worship your splendid health, Just as I do. It's piti ful the way they both try to put ou weight. They're always testing some new food, some now tonic. They'll do anything except exercise regularly ahd go to bed at 10 o'clock." CHAPTER XVI. Deserting the Ranch. IIJ. that Wayland said of his ZA family deepened Berrle's dls r may. Their interests were so alien to her own. . "I'm afraid lb have you go even for a day," she admitted, with simple hon esty, which moved him deeply. "I don't know what I should do If you went nwuy. 1 think ot nothing but you lOW." Her fuce was pitiful, and be put his arm about her neck as If. she 'were a child. "You mustn't do that You must go on with your life Just as if I'd never been. Think ot your father' Job of the forest and the ranch." "I can't do It. I've lost lutcrest In the service. I never wsut to go Into the high country again, "and I don't want you to go either, It's too savage ami cruel." "That Is only a mood," he said con fidently. "It Is splendid Up there. 1 shall certainly go buck some time." "Of course, we are not rich, but we are not poor, and 'my mother's family Is one of the oldest In Kentucky." She uttered this with a touch of ber moth er's quiet dignity. "Your fntber need not desplso us." "So fur ns my father Is concerned, family don't count and neither does money. But he confidently expects me to take up his business In Chicago, and I suppose It Is my duty to do so. If junnatxy he finds me looking fit be may order me Into, the ranks at once." "I'M go there. I'll do anything you want me to do," she urged. "You enn tell your father that I'll help you In the office. . I can learn. I'm ready to use a typewriter anything." , He . was silent In the face of her naive expression of self . sacrificing love, and after a moment she added hesitatingly: "I wish I could meet your father. Perhaps he'd come up here If you asked him to do so." - He seized upon the suggestion. - "By George.-1 believe he would! I don't want to go to town, I Just believe I'll wtre hlm that I'm laid op here and can't come." A knock at the door Interrupted Way land, and Mrs. McFarlane's voice, filled with new excitement, called out, "Ber rle, the district office Is on the wire!" ' Berrle opened the door and confront ed her mother, who said; "Mr. Eviug ham phones that the afternoon papers contain an accouut of a fight at Coal City between Settle and one of . Alec Belden's men and that the district for ester Is coming down to Investigate It" "Let him come," answered Berrle de fiantly. "He can't do us auy harm. What was the row about?" "I didn't bear much of it Your fa ther was at the phone." "What Is it all about, father?" ask ed Berrle. "Why. It seems that after I left yes terday Settle rode down the valley with Beldeu's outfit, and they all got to drinking, ending In a row, and Tony beat one of Belden's men almost to death, The sheriff has gone over to get Tony, and the Beldens declare they're going to railroad him. That means we'll all be brought Into . It Belden has seized the moment to pre fer charges against me for kecpiug Settle In the service and for putting a nonresident on the roll as guard. The whelp will dig up everything he can to queer me with the office. All that kept lilm from doing it before was Cliff's Interest In you." "He can't make any of his charges stick," declared Berrle. "Ot course he can't He know that But he. can bring us all Into court You and Mr. Norcross will both be called as witnesses, for It seems that Tony was defending your name. The pa pers call It 'a fight for a girl.' Oh, It's a sweet mess. You and Berrle and Mrs. McFarlane must get out of here before you are subpoenaed." "And leave you to fight It ovtt alone?" exclaimed his wife. "I shall do noth ing of the kind. Berrle aud Mr. Nor cross can go." "That won't do," retorted McFarlane quickly.- "That won't do at nil. You must go with them. ' I can take care of myself! I will not have you drug ged Into this muckhole." . Berrle now argued against running away. Her blood was up. She joined her mother. ' "We won't leave you to Inherit all this trouble.. Who will look after the ranch? Who will keep house for you?" ' . McFnrlane remained firm. "I'll man age. Don't worry about me. Just get out of reach. The more I consider this thing the more worrisome It gets. Sup pose Cliff -should come back to testify?" "He won't If be does I'll have blm arrested for trying to kill Wayland,". retorted Berrle. "And mukb. the whole thlug worse! No; you are all going to cross the range. You can start out as If for a little turn round the valley and just naturally keep going. It can't do any harm, and it may save a nasty time In court" "One would think we were a lot of criminals," remarked Wayland. "Thut'a the wuy you'll bo treated," retorted McFarlane. ' '.'Belden has re tained old Whitby, the foulest old brute In the business, and he'll bring you all into It If ho can," "But runuiug away from it will not prevent talk," argued his wife. . "Not entirely, but talk and testimony are two different things. Suppose they call daughter to the stnnd? Do you want her cross examined us to what basis there wus for this gossip? Tboy know something of Cliff's being let out and that will inflame them. He may be at tho mil! this minute." "I guess you're rght," snld Norcross sadly. "Our delightful excursion Into the forest has led us Into a predica ment from which there Is only one way of escape, and thut Is flight" McFarlane was again called to tho telcphoue. Lundou, with characteristic brevity, conveyed to him tho fact that Mrs. Belden wus at borne and busily phoning scandalous stories about the country, "If you don't stop ber she's going to poison every1 ear In the vul ley," ended the ranger. "You'd think they'd all know my daughter well enough , not to believe anything Mrs. Belden says," respond ed McFurluue bitterly. "All tho boys are ready to do what Touy did. But nobody can stop tills old fool's mouth but you. Cliff has disappeared, and that adds to the ex citement" "Thank the boys for, me," said Mc Farlane, "uud tell them not to light Tell 'era to keep cool. . It will ull be cleared up soon." As McFarlane went out to order the horses hooked up Wayland followed him as far as the bars. "I'm conscience smitten over this thing, supervisor, for I am aware that I nm the cause of all your trouble." "Don't let that worry you," respond ed the older man. But ho spoke with effort "It can't bo helped. It was all unavoidable."' "Tbe most appalling tiling to me Is the fact that not even your daughter's popularity can neutralize tbe gossip of a woman like Mrs. Belden. My being au outsider counts against Berrle, and I'm ready to do anything anything," ho repented earnestly. "I love your I daughter, Mr. McFarlane, and I'm ready to murry her at once If you think best She's a noble girl, and" I cannot bear to be the cause of her calumnia-t'on-" . .'."." There was mist In . the supervisor' eyes as be turned them on tbe young man.'- "I'm right glad to bear you say that, my boy." Ho reached out his hand, and Wayland Jtook it "L knew you'd say the word, when tbe time came. I didn't know, how strongly she felt toward you till-today. I knew she liked you, of course! for she saldr so, but I didn't know that she bad plum set ber heart on you. I didn't expect her to marry a -city man. but I like you. and well.slie's the doctor. What suits her sults-me. Don't yon be afraid of ber uof meeting all com- 'I'm right glad to heait.you -siy that, my boy.'' ....... ers." He ' went on . after a pause. "She's never seen much of city life; but she'll hold ber own anywhere, you can gamble on that" "She has wonderful adaptability, t know," answered Wayland ; slowly. "But I don't like to take her away from here from you."- "If yon bndn't come slie would hav married Cliff, and what kind of a life would she have- led ' with' him?" de manded McFarlane. '1 knew ClhT was rough, but I couldn't convince her that he was cheap: I live only for ber ha pi piness; my boy. and, though I know you will take her away from me,' I be1 Uevc you can 'make ber happy, and so I give her over to you. As to tlino arid place, arrange fbat with her mother." He turned and walked away,, unable? to utter another word. Wayland's throat ' was aching also! and be went back Into the bouse with, a sense of responsibility which exalted htm Into sturdier manhood. Berea met him in a pretty gown, a -dress he . had never seen her wear, a coBtume which transformed her into something entirely feminine. She seem ed to have put away tbe self reliant manner of tbe trail and. in Its stead presented the- lambent gaze, the trem ulous lips of the bride.- -As he looked at ber thus transfigured bis heart coat out Its hesitancy, and he entered upon, his . new. adveuture without further question or regret ; - It was 8 o'clock of n fine, clear, gold en afternoon as' tboy sold- goodby to McFarlane and started eastward, as IC for a little drive. Berrle held the reins in spite of Wayland's- protestations. "These bronchos are only about bale busted," she said. "They need watch ing. ,1 know them better than you do.'!. Therefore be submitted, ' well knowing: that she was entirely competent anil fully Informed. At last the topmost- looming' crngs -of the continental divldo cut the sky line, and then in tbe smooth hollow between two rounded grassy summits Berrle halted, and they all silently contemplated the two worlds. To tbe west and north lay an endless spread' of mountains, wave on wave, snow lined, savage, sullen In the dying light, whilo to the east and southeast the foothills faded- into the plain, whose dim cities, insubstantial as flecks in a veil of violet mist, were hardly dls- tlnguishnble without the aid of glasses. Berrlo turned In her sent and was about to take up the reins when Wny- land asserted himself. ... "Walt a mo ment Hero's where my dominion be gins. Here's whero you change seats with me. I am the driver now," She looked at lilm with questioning, smiling glance. "Can you drive? It's all tbe way downhill and steep." "If I can't I'll nsk your aid. I'm old enough to remember the family car riage. I've even driven a four In hand." Their descent was rapid, but It was long after dark before they reached Flume, which lay up the valley to tbe right . It was a poor little decaying mining town set against the hillside, and hnd hut one hotel, a sun warped and sagging pine building Just above tho station. "Not much -like the Profile house" said Wuy land ns bo drew up to the porch. "But I see no choice." "There Isn't any," Berrle assured him. (Continued next Saturday.) A eent a word, will tell yonr wants in a Journal Ad under New Today. Try it.