The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-29

landed in the state. he hadn't mucn
when met him first, but everybody
liked him. He was one of the hand
soonest men that ever jumped a 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 70
lationship to Lie, Lees heart light
ened. 1t would make a difference TO
Ross. 1t would make a difference To
the Redfelds. Traitorous as it SEEM
ed. it was a great relief, Joy. to
know that her own mother-her real
mother-had been mice" "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. ''weu, now, dearia.
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 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 fare OF q 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
at the scene with eyes Of dull amaze
ment why don't they Try to put it
outY she demanded as she took In the
import Of the passive figures.
Dressing with tremuIous haste, Lee
stepped from the tent justsin 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 IRE 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 1t 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 I 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. It
had become to me plague spot. and
there was no other way to stamp it
out. I should never have felt safe IL
] had carried out even so much as q
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, but he warning
~ motioned her away.
"Please don't come any nearer, for I
dare not touch YOU"
''But you are not MP she cried out,
with note Of apprehension In her
voice.
He smiled In response to her CUES
ition. NO; I feel nothing but weari-
ness and little depression. 1 can't
help feeling somehow as If 1 were
burning up a part OF myself in that
Ifire-the saddle I 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 careless freebooter my
self. 1 fear, but that is all over with
now" He looked her In the face with
a sad and resolute glance. 1.-THE for
est service made a man Of me, taught
me to regard the future. never &C
cepted responsibility till 1 became g
ranger. and In thinking it all over I
have decided to stay with 1t. as the
boys say, till the spring rains"
81 am very glad Of that" she said.
Eyes; Dalton thinks can quality for
the position OF supervisor, and Redfeld
may offer me the supervision OF this
forest. II he does / viii accept it.
If you Will go with me and share the
small home which the supervisors pay
provides. VIII you go?'
In the light Of his burning cabin ana
in the shadow OF the great peaks Les
Virginia could not fan OF certain
largeness and dignity Of mood She
neither blushed nor stammerei as she
responded, 81 will go anywhere in the
world with you"
He could not touch so much as the
hem Of her garment. but his eyes en-
braced her as he said, God bless you
for the faith you seem to have in meF'