The Delta independent., 1911-06-02

Lee turned back wistfully toward
the story of her mother. Where did
my mother meet my father? Do you
know that?''
No. don't. 1t was a runaway
match. Ed said. l never did know
who her folks were. only l know they
thought she was marrying the wrong
/ man."
| The girl sighed as her mind took In
the significance Of her mothers com
ing to this wild country. leaving all
that she knew and loved behind
"Poor little mother! 1t must have
been very hard for her."
II am afraid she did have a hard
time. for Ed admitted to me that he
hadn't so much as Il saddle when he
landed in the state. He hadn't mu, b
when l met him first. but everybody
liked him. He was one of the hand
soonest men that ever jumped sad
die. But he was close mouthed. You
never could get anything out Of him
that he didn't want to tell. and | was
never able to discover what he had
| been doing In the southern part of the
state"
! AS she pondered on her changed re-
lationship to Lie. Lees heart light
ened. 1t would make difference to
| Ross. 1t would make difference to
I the Redfelds. Traitorous as it SEEM
ed. it was 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
/ har hn1 I'd rr,itf hnr
/ ing of jealousy.
At last Lie rose. "Well, now. dearie,
reckon we had better turn in. 1t
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 caress made perfectly plain
to her the relief which filed the girls
! heart.
Lee Virginia was awakened some
hours later by a roaring. cracking
sound and by the dare OF a yellow
light upon her tent. Peering out. she
saw flames shooting up through the
roof of the rangers cabin. while be-
side it. wrapped in n blanket. calmly
contempla ting ii. stood Cavanagh with
folded arms. little nearer to the
bridge Redtield 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
| of wit nf m z6A-
ment. why don't they try to put 1t
out?' 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 ii contains to prevent the
spread of the plague. Hugh and Sven
son have divided their garments with
me. and this blanket which l wear is
my only coat. All that l 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.
Il couldn't" he replied. THE su-
pervisor did 1t. 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 il
out / 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. II am so sorry"
she said and yearned toward him.
eager to comfort him. but he warming
ly motioned her away.
please don't come any nearer. for I
= 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
, tion. NO: l feel nothing but weari-
| ness and a little depression. can't
help feeling somehow as II | were
burning up a part Of myself in that
, fire-the snddle | have ridden for
, years. my guns. ropes. spurs. Every
thing relating to the forest Is gone
and with It my youth. have been
(. something OF a careless FIRE, booter my
I self. / fear. but that Is all over with
> now" He looked her In the face with
= a sad and resolute glance. THE for
= est service made a man OF me- taught