Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-04-14

As she pondered on her changed re
lationship to Lie. Lees heart light
ened. 1t would make a difference to
Ross. 1t would make a difference to
the Redfields. TraitOrous as 1t seem
ed, It was a great relief, joy, to
know that her own mother-her real
mother-had been nice" "She must
have been nice or Lie would not have
said So" she reasoned. recalling that
her stepmother had admitted her feel.
ing Of Jealousy.
At last Lie rose. "Well. now. dearie,
I reckon we had better turn in. II
is getting chilly and late"
AS they were about to part at the
door of the tent Virginia took Lies
face between her hands. Good night.
mother" she said and Kissed her to
show her that what she had said
would not make any difference.
But Lie was not deceived. This
unwonted caTess made perfectly plain
to her the relief which filled the girls
heart.
Lee Virginia was awakened some
hours later by a roaring cracking
sound and by the flare of a yellow
light upon her tent Peering out. she
saw flames shooting up through the
roof of the rangers cabin. while be-
side 1t, wrapped in a blanket. calmly
contemplating it. stood Cavanagh with
| folded arms. A little nearer to the
bridge Redfeld was sitting upon an
upturned box.
With cry of alarm she aroused her
mother, and Lie heavy eyed, laggard
| with sleep, rose slowly and peered out
ut the scene with eyes of dull amaze
ment. why don't they try to put 1t
Uut?" she demanded as she took in the
| import of the passive figures.
Dressing with tremulous haste, Lee
stepped from the tent just in time to
see Swenson come from behind the
| burning building and join the Others
in silent contemplation Of the scene
There was something uncanny in the
calm inaction Of the three strong men.
| Slowly, wonderingly. the girl drew
near and called to Cavanagh, who
turned quickly, crying out: Don't
come too close and don't be frighten-
ed. | set the place on fire myself.
The poor old herder died last night
and is decently buried in the earth,
and now we are burning the cabin and
every thread it contains to prevent the
spread of the plague. Hugh and Sven
son have divided their garments with
me, and this blanket which ! wear Is
my only coat. All that | have Is in
that cabin now going up in smoke
my guns, pictures, everything"
How could you do it?' she cried
out, understanding what his sacrifice
had been.
81 couldn't" he replied. The su-
pervisor did it. They had to go. The
cabin was saturated with poison. 1t
had become to me a plague spot, and
there was no other way to stamp it
out. l should never have felt safe If
had carried out even so much as a
letter"
Dumb and shivering with the chill
Of the morning, Lee Virginia drew
nearer. ever nearer. 81 am so sorry"
she said and yearned toward him,
eager to comfort him, bat he warning
ly motioned her away.
"Please don't come any nearer, for
dare not touch you"
"But you are not ill?' she cried out
with note of apprehension in her
voice.
He smiled in response to her ques
ton. No; | feel nothing but weari
ness and a little depression. l can't
help feeling somehow as If ] were
burning up a part of myself in that
fre-the saddle | have ridden fol
years. my guns, ropes, spurs. Every
thing relating to the forest is gone
and with 1t my youth have beer
something Of a careless freebooter my
self, / fear, but that Is all over witt
now" He looked her in the face witt
sad and resolute glance. THE for
est service made man of me, taugh
me to regard the future. | never &C
cepted responsibility till became
ranger, and in thinking it all over
have decided to stay with 1t, as tn
boys say, till the spring rains.'"
81 am very glad of that" she said.
eyes; Dalton thinks l can qualify TO
the position of supervisor. and Redfiel'
may offer me the supervision of thi
forest. If he does | will accept 1t
If you wf,l go with me and share tn
small home which the supervisors pa
provides. Will you goY"
In the light of his burning cabin an
In the shadow of the great peaks lie
Virginia could not fail Of certai
largeness and dignity of mood. Sh
neither blushed nor stammered as sh
responded, II will go anywhere in tn
world with you"
He could not touch so much as th
hem of her garment, but his eyes en-
braced her as he said. God bless yo
for the faith you seem to have in me!
Redfeld's voice interrupted wit
hearty clamor. And now, Miss Vii
ginia. you go back and rustic som
breakfast for us all. Swenson, brin
the horses in and harness my team
I'm going to take these women dow
the canyon. And. Ross, you'd bette
saddle up as soon as you feel reste
and ride across the divide and go int
camp in that little old cabin by th
dam above my house, You'll have I
be sequestered for few days, l reel
on, till we see how you're coming ou
I'll telephone over to the Fork an
have the place made ready for yol
and I'll have the doctor go up thel
to meet you and put you straight.
you're going to be sick We'll want 20
where we can look after you. Ism
, that so, Lee VirginiaT'