The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-04-08
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IS Forest ~ RANGER
BY HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright. l1rO. by HsuIin Garland


The power OF the press" might prove
to be very renl force In this pursuit
As the journalist was about to
mount his horse he -dlsrovcred Ire
Virginia ON tho other side of tho
creek. "Hcllor" shld he Il wouder
what this pretty maiden means"
And. dropping his bride rein again.
he walked down to the bridge
Swenson iutcrposcd his tall figure.
What do YOU wantf' he asked blunt
ly. "You don't want To get tuU close
You've been talking to the rnuger."
Hartley studied him coolly Are you
a ranger looT'
"No. only n guard "
"why are you leaving Cayansgb 70
play It alone in thrreY'
Lee explained He won't let any
OF us come near him"
quite right" reiortcd Hartley
promptly "rhey say smallpox has
lost ita terrors. but when you're eight
hours hard troll from doctor ar n
hospital It's still what I'd cali II for
midable enemy However. CavanaghS
Immune. so he says"
1--WE don't know that" Lee said
and her hands came together In u
spasm Of fear. Are you doctor?"
mo: I'm only newspaper man. but
I've had lot of experience with
| plaques of all sorts-bad the yellow
fever IN Porto Rico and the typhoid in
South Africa; that's why I'm out here
rlcochetting over the bills. But who
are you. may ask? You look Ike the
rose of Sharon"
MY name IL Ice, Wethcrford.' she
answered. with childish dlreclness. for
there was something compelling In the
mans voice and eyes. "And this Is
my mother" She indicated Lie. who
was approaching.
"You are not out here for your
health" he stated. rather thoughtful.
ly. How happens It you're hereT
IL was born herein the Fork"
His face remained cSpressionless
II don't believe It. Can such maidens
come out OF Roaring Fork? Mt. But
don't mean that. What are you
doing up here In this Wilderness
Lie took part in the conversation.
Another Inspector" she asked M she
numbered UP
"Thats me-" he rcplled-"Shcrock
Holmes. vidocq. all rolled into one"
MY mother" again volunteered Lee.
Hartley's eyes expressed incredulity,
but he did not put his feelings into
words. for he perceived IN Lie u type
! A., IA
one to be handled with care. What
are you two women doing here Are
! you related TO Que of lhcse rangers
Lie resented this. You're asking II
good many questions. Mr.. Man"
That's my trade" WAS the un-
abaShed reply, and I'm not 30 old but
that | can rise to romantic situa'
ton Thcrcupou he dropped all Ill.
rect Interrogation and With an air Of
candor told the story of his mission
Lie. entirely sympathetic. Invited him
! TO lunch, aud he was soon In posses
sion Of their story. even 10 the tender
relationship between Lee Virginia and
the plague besieged forest ranger.
Were not 80 nightly disinteresl.
ed" he said. referring to his paper
The Roundup represents the new
west In part. but to us the new west
means opportunity TO loot water sites
and pile up unearned increment. on,
yes, we're on the side of The fruit und
alfalfa grower. because II pHys IT the
boss Of my paper happeSrd to he In
the sheep business. as senator Blank
| White q. we would sing different
| tune. ar " ! We're a congressman rep
resentiug' u district Of cattlemen I'd he
very slow about helping Ia build up
| any system that wun,d make m" pny
| for my grass. As Il Is. I'm rOmm!s
stoned tS make It hot for The ranch
prs thar allied those dagocs. and I'm
going to do IT, II this country had q
man like Caynnagh for sheriff we'd
have the murlcrers in twu days ll''
knows who the butchers arc, and I'd
| like his hdll. But hes nailed down
here and there's no hope Of bis rot
ting away. few men like him c.lld
| ciyiize thiP country"
Thereupcn he drew from three pairs
1
OF Nps u statement OF The kind uf man
Ross Cavannch wHs. bur lInsl Hignlh
rani Of MI were The few words of he
i-irl. To whom this man 0f the pnd and
pencil was magician. capable Uf cS
alting her hero ana of advancing light
and civilization 10y the mere motion OF
bis hand SHE llkvd him aud grew
more nni more willing Ia cOmmuui-
cate. aud he percel,ing in her some.
hing unusual fingered ON. question.
ing Then he ioSn, II must he going,
he said 10 Lee "Youve given me n
lovely afternoon"
Lee virginia wNe nll tnu ignorant Of
the ways Of reporters tu resent HIS
uote luklng. ana she accepted his
hand. believing hin to be cincerc
nlmlrer of her ranger "Whpt aro you
going 10 dpi" she asked
I'm going bnck 10 sulphur to spread
HE report OF CNvaungh's quarantine s.
Agsin thnl mennlns smile II don't
want amy other newspaper men mixed
up IN my game I'm Lonesome Ncd in
stunts Ike thly. and hnpe lr tlry du
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