Putnam patriot., 1911-06-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
A CALL FOR HELP.

- A CALL FOR HELP.
 0 N the following morning. while they were busy packing for
 the Journey to Sulphur. Red
 field rolled up 10 the door In company with young man in the uni- form of q forester.
 "Go ask Reddy 10 come in.' com mnnded Llze "l want to see him"
 Redfield met the girl at the door and presented his companion as MT Dal- ton. district forester" Dalton was a tall young fellow with marked south ern accent "Is Cayanagh, the ranger. in townr' he asked.
 No Lee replied. with effort; he was here few days ago. but he's gone back to the forest
 Redfield studied the girl with keen gaze. perceiving passionate restraint fin her face.
 How is your motherf" he asked DO iitely
 Lee smiled faintly. she's able 10 sit up. Won't you come in and see her7''
 With pleasure" assented Redheld. but 1 want to see you alone. l have something to say to you" He turned to his superior Just go into the cafe. Dalton I'll see you in a moment"
 Lee Virginia. hitherto ashamed of the house. the furniture, the bed-ey- erythlng-led the way without word of apology. It was all detached now something about 10 be left behind. like bad garment borrowed in time of stress. Nothing mattered since Ross did not return.
 I.ize. looking unwontedly refined and gentle. was sitting in a big rocking chair with her feet on stool, her eyes fixed on the mountains which showed through the open window, All the morning a sense of D. Sound change. of something passing. had op- pressed her Now that she was about 10 leave the valley its charm appealed to her. She was tearing up multi Jude of tiny roots of whose existence she had hitherto remained unaware btibAAk HtAAs ehf ttt hAthfh tttte-fh sai iently "I'd be homesick anywhere else on Gods enrth It's rough and fly bit and all that. but so am |. 1 wouldn't it in anywhere that Lee be lcnged
 She acknowledged an especial liking for Redaeld and she had penetration enough. worldly wisdom enough, to knsw that Lee belonged more fo his world than to her own and that his guidance and friendship were worth more. much more. than that of all the rest of the country. her owu included Therefore she suid "I'm mighty glad to see you. Reddy Si down You've got to hear my little spiel this time"
 Redheld, perched on the edge of s tawdry chair. looked about like the charity visitor in slum k.tchenl with cut intending 1o express disgust but it was a dismal room in which to be sick, and be pitIed the woman the more profoundly as he remembered her in che days when "all outdoors" was none too wide for her
 I.ize began abruptly. I'm down. bnf not out. In fact. | was coming up ta soe you this afternoon. Lee and I are just about pulling out for good
 Indeed Why not 20 back with meY'
 ~You can take the girl back If you want to. but now that Pm setting my chance ag you l may not go
 Beafelds tone WAS entirely cordial as he turned Co Lee. "l came hoping ta carry you away Win you come3s
 "I'm afraid l can't unless mother goes" she replied sadly,
 Iize waved an imperative hand "Fade away, child. want to talk with Mir. Reddeld alone. Go-seeF'
 Thus dismissed. Lee went back tC the restaurant. where she found the forester just sitting down to his lunch con 'sAir. Redfleld will be out in g tew minutes" she explained
 Wont you join me2" he asked fl fbe frank accent of one to whom wom en are comrades. "srhe supervisor has been telling me about you"
 She took seat facing him. feeling something refined In his long, smooth iy shaven. hoyish face. He seemed yaay young to be district forester, ana