Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-04-14


Lodge for few days The revelation
of the true relation between the two
women had tas Lie put it, made
whole lot of difference" to Mrs. Red
field. 1t naturally cleared the daughter
of some part Of her handicap. and 1t
had also made the mothers attitude
less Objectionable.
She had seen Lie but once. and that
was In the distorting atmosphere of
the restaurant. and she remembered
her only as a lumpy, scowling, loud
voiced creature with blowsy hair and
a watchful eye. She was profoundly
surprised, therefore, when Lee Vir-
ginia introduced a quiet spoken, rather
sad faced elderly woman as her
mother.
"I'm glad to see you. Mrs. Wether-
ford" Eleanor said. with the courtesy
which was instructive with her.
I'm mighty obliged for the chance
to come," replied Lie. 81 told Reddy
Il mean the supervisor-that you
didn't want no old timer like me, but
be said. Come along and Lee she
fixed me out, and here | am" She ut
tered this with touch Of her well
known self depreciation, but she was
by no Interpretation sordid or common.
Ross had not yet arrived at the cab
in, but Redfeld had warned Lee not to
expect him till after dark. He prob
ably slept late. and, besides, there are
always delays on the trail But don't
worry. Swenson will ride to the top
of the divide with him and If it seems
necessary will come all the way"
This feeling of anxiety helped to
steady Lie. and she got through the
meal very well. She was unwontedly
silent and little sad as well as con-
strained. She could see that Lee fitted
In with these surroundings. that she
was at home with shining silver and
dainty dishes. and she said to herself:
~ could have been something like her
| II I'd had any sort Of raising, but it's
too late now. But, Lord. wouldn't Ed
like to see her now!'
1t was not yet dark when they came
| out on the veranda to meet the doctor,
who had come to meet Ross. and Lees
| anxiety led her to say, Cant we go
up to the cabin and wait for him
there?''
81 was about to propose that" re-
piled Redfield. "Shall we walkT
Lee was instant in her desire to be
of, but Lie said: 81 never was much
on foot, and now I'm hoof bound. You
: 70 along, and III sit on the porch here
and watch"
So Lee, the doctor and Redfield went
of together across the meadow to-
ward the little cabin which had been
built for the workmen while putting
In the dam. 1t was hardly a mile
away, and yet 1t stood at the mouth Of
q mighty gorge, out of which the wa
ter sprang white with speed.
But Lee had no mind for the seen
cry, though her eyes were lifted to the
meadows wall, down which the ranger
was expected to ride. 1t looked fright
fully steep, and whenever she thought
of him descending that trail. worn and
perhaps i'll, her heart ached with anx-
lety. But Redfeld rambled on COM
fortably, explaining the situation to
the doctor. who, being most un-
imaginative person, appeared to take
1t all as a matter Of course.
At the cabin itself Lee transferred
her interest to the supper which had
been prepared for the ranger, and she
went about the room trying to make
1t a little more comfortable for him
It was bare little place. hardly more
than a camp (as was proper, and she
aevoutly prayed that he was not tc
be sick therein, for it stood in a colo
and gloomy place, close under the
shadow of great wall of rock.
AS 1t grew dark she lighted lamr
and placed 1t outside the window II
order that its light might catch thu
rangers eye. and this indeed it did, fol
almost instantly pistol shot echoed
from the hillside far above signaling
his approach.
There he is" she exclaimed IL
swift rebound to ecstasy. Hear hin
shoutT'
His voice could indeed be heard
though family. and so they waitet
while the darkness deepened and tn
voice of the stream rose like an ex
halation. increasing In violence as tn
night fell.
At last they could hear the sound o
his horses feet upon the rocks, an
with girlish impulse Lee raised a mt
sical cry, an invitation as well as
Joyous signal
To this the ranger made vocal al
q swer, and they could soon see hil
moving athwart the hillsides, zigzal
[CoNcLupED ON LAST PAGE