Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-01-13
Vol. 3S-No. 26

/ you'd better go back and give this out
III up as a bad job | used to tell Ed
you didn't belong to neither OF us. and
/ you don't. can't see where you did
come frOm-anyhOw. | don't want the
responsibility Of having you here Why,
| you'll have half the men in the county
bitching TO my corral. You're too good
for any of them. You just plan to pack
up and pull out tomorrow"
She went out with a dragging step
that softened the girls heart. Lies
daughter came nearer TO loving her at
this moment than at any time since
her fifth year
In truth. Lie had risen that morn
ing intending ito whirl in and clean
| up the house." being suddenly con-
scious TO some degree of the dirt aud
| disorder around her. but she found
herself physically unequal TO the task.
Her brain seemed misted. and her food
had been source of keen pain to her
She gave sharp answers to all the
men who came up to ask after her
| daughter. and TO one who remarked on
the girls good looks and demanded an
introduction she said: Get along.
| You fellers want to understand I'll kill
the man that sets out to fool with my
girl, tell you that!'
While yet Lee Virginia was wonder
| ing how TO begin the days work some
one knocked on her door. and in an
70 hnr tn
ina thin blond hag with a weak
smile and watery blue eyes. "Is this
little Lee virginny?' she asked.
The girl rose. YES"
"Well. howdyT She extended her
hand. and Lee took it. "My names
Jackson-Mrs. Orlando Jackson. |
knew yore pa and you before the
war Are ye back fer to stay?"
NO. don't think so. Will you sit
| down"
back to see how yore ma was, l reck-
on? Found her pretty porely, didn't
ye" She lowered her voice. II think
she's got cancer Of the stummick-
now that's my guess"
Virginia started. What makes you
think so?"
"Well. knew a woman who went
just that way. Had that same fabby,
funny look-and that same distress
after eatin' told her this mornin
she'd better go up to Sulphur and see
that new doctor"
what did you mean by the war;"
asked Virginia
why. you remember the rustler
war? We date everything out here
from that year. You was here, for
saw ye"
"Oh!' exclaimed Virginia. II under
| stand now. Yes. was here. saw my
father at the head of the cowboys"
"They weren't cowboys, They were
hired killers from Texas. That's what
let yore pa out O. the state. He were
on the wrong side, and if it hadn't "a
been for the regular soldiers he'd "a
been wiped out right hyer AS it was
he had to skip the range aud hain't
never been back. l don't s'pose folks
will lay ii up agin yOu-bein' girl
but they couldn't no son of Ed Weth-
erford come back here and settle. not
for minute. Why, ycre ma has had
to bluff the whole county amost-not
that lay anything up agin her. | tell
folks she was that bewitched with Ed
she couldn't see things any way but
bis way. He fought to save his ranch
and stawk. but she couldn't do nothin'
and then to have him go back on her
the way he did-slip out 'twixt two days
and never write: that just about shot
her to pieces. | never could under
stand that in Ed; he peared so mortal
ly fond of you and of her too. He sure
was fond of you She shook her head
mo, can't anybody make me believe
Ed Wetherford is alive"
Lee Virginia started who says
he's alive?
Now. don't get excited girl. He
amt alive. but yet folks say we don't
know he's dead. He jest dropped out
so far as yore ma is concerned and so
far as the county is, concerned, but
some thought you was with him in the
east"
The girl was now aware that her
visitor was hoping to gain some fur
ther information and SO curtly an
swered: I've never seen my father
since that night the soldiers came and
took him away to the fort. And my
mother told me he died down In Tex
as"
Mrs. Jackson rose. We'll. I'm glad
to we had word with ye; but. you
hear me. yore ma has got to have
doctors help or she's a-goin to fall
down some day soon."
Every word the woman uttered. ev-
cry tone of her drawing voice, put
Lee Virginia back into the past. She
heard again the swift gallop of hoofs.
saw once more the long line of armed
ranchers and felt the hush of fear that
lay over the little town on that fate
full day. The situation became clearer
In her mind She recalled vividy the
words of establishment and hate with
which the women had greeted her
mother on the morning when the news
came that Edward Wetherford was
among the invading cattle barons-
was indeed one Of the leaders.
TO BE CONTINUED.
For LaGrippe Coughs and Stuffy
Colds