The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-04-08

| neen very hofO TOT ncl.
81 am afraid she did have n bard
time. for Ed admitted TO inc that he
hadn't 50 much us y saddle wbeu he
! landed in the state. lie hadn't much
when I met him first hut everybody
| liked him. He was one Of thc hand
somest men that cvcr Jumped n sad
| ile. But he wOs close mUuthod You
never could get anything out Of him
that he didn't want TO tell. aud was
never able to discover what he had
been doing IN the southern part Of the
state"
AS she poudcrcd on her changed re
lationsblp TO Lie, Lees heart light
cued. IL would make difference TO
Ross. It would make difference to
tho Redhelds. Traiioreus as IL seem
cd II was great relief. joy. TO
know that her own mother--hcr real
mother-had been "nice.' "Shc must
have been nice or lizc would not have
said So" she reasoned. recalling that
her stepmother had admitted her feel
ing OF jealousy.
AT last Lie rOsc. well, now, deale,
I reckon we had better turn in II
is getting chilly and late"
As they we're about TO part 1t the
door Of the tcut Virginia took Lies
face between her hands. Good night.
mother" she said aud kissed her TO
show her tbot what she had snid
would not make any difference.
but Lie was not deceived. This
Unwouted carcss made perfectly plain
tu her the relief which filed the girls
heart
Les Virginia was awakened some
hours later b. roaring cracking
sound aud by he fare Of yellow
light upon her tent Pecring out sho
saw 1ames shooting up through the
ROOF Of the rangers cabin. while be.
side it, wrapped in n blanket. calmly
contemplating Il. stood Cavauagh with
folded Arms. \ little nearer TO the
bridge RcdGeld was sitting upon an
upturucd bOS.
With n cry Of alarm she aroused her
mother, eud Lie. heavy eyed. laggard
with sleep. rose slowly aud pecred out
at the scene with eyes Of dull amaze.
nent. why don't they try to put Il
?" she demanded as she took in the
import OF the passive figures.
Dressing with tremulous haste. Lee
stepped from the tent Just in time 10
SEQ Swcusun come from behind the
burning building and Join the others
IN silent contemplation OF the scene
There was something uucanny in the
calm inaction OF the three strong men
Slowly. woudcringly. the girl drew
near aud called to Cavanagh, who
turned quickly. cryiug out: Don
come too close and don't be frighten
ed. ] sci the place ON FIRE myself
The poor old herdcr died last nigh
and is decontly buried In the earth
and now we arc burning the cabin ant
every thread lt contains to prevent The
spread Of tho plague. Hugh and Sven
son have divided their garments with
me. and this blanket which ! wear 81
my only coat All that | have is II
that cabin now going up in smoke
my guns. pictures. everything"
How could you do it?" she crie'
out. understanding what his sacrlhc
had been
II couldn't" he replied "The su
pervisor did IT, They had TO go. Th'
cabin was saturated with poison. {
had become to me plague spot. anC
! there was no otller way TO stamp 1
: out. | should never have felt safe 4
had carried ont even so much ns ;
, letter"
, Dumb and shivcring With the chill
. of the morning. Lee Virginia drew
nearer ever ucarcr. II am 50 sorry,
she said aud yesrned toward him
, cugcr 10 comfort him. but he warning
~ motiouc1 her away.
"Plcosr don't come any nearer for
, darr not touch YOU
: "Rut Won are not ill?" she cried out
With note Of apprehension In he
, voice
He smiled in response To hcr que'
!. tion. No: ! feel nothing hut wear
p ness aud little depression. ! can
:, help feeling somehow as If I weT
, buruir. M n part of myself in tbs
, fre-rhp srGdle have ridden "a
, years. my guns. ropes. spurs. Ever!
;, thing reiAiilg 10 The forest ia goni
I and with Il my youth. I have bee
}. -nmctbing Of a csreless freebooter m,
p',f. fear, but that Ia all over wit
n now" ne looked her in the fuce wit
2 sad aud rcsolute glance. The FOL
:. est servi'e made man Of me. laugh
+ me 10 gard the future I never aC
!. cepted responsibility III became
( ranger. and in thinking II all over
" have decided TO stay with it, as th
IS hoSS say. 'till the spring rains
& II am very glud Of that she said
d Yes; Dalton lhinSa cIu qualify ia
X the position of supervisor. and Redtiel
- may offer me the supervision OF thl
Z. forest n be does win accept f.
IS II yOu will go with me and share Tia
7 small home which The supervisors pa
. provides Will you gof"
% In the light of his burning cabin an
IN The shadow OF the great peaks lie
s Virginia could not fail Of n certnl
p largeness md dignity Of mood, Sh
I. ncither blushcd nor stammered as sh
I responded II will 60 anywhere in th
:, world with you