New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-12-27
1910. by Hamlin Garland
[CoNrINUED.l

CONTINUED
They were standing very near to
each other at the moment, and the
ranger, made very sensitive to wo-
mans charm by his lonely life, shook
with newly created love of her. A
suspicion. hope. that beneath her cul-
hvated manner lay the passionate ma
ture of her mother gave an added force
to his desire. He was sorely tempted
to touch her, to test her. but her sweet
voice, little sad and perfectly un-
conscious of evil, Gained him. She
said:
81 hope to persuade my mother to
leave the Forks All the best people
there are against us. Some of them
have been very cruel to her and to me.
and, besides. I despise and fear the
men who come to our table"
"You must.not exchange words with
Them" he all but commanded. BE
ware of Gregg; he is vile lot. Do not
trust him for an instant. Do not per-
Init any Of those loafers to talk with
yg for if you do they will go away to
defame you. know them. They are
unspeakably vile. 1t makes me angry
to think that Gregg and his like have
the right to speak to you every day.
while can see you only at long inter
walls. I wish my station were not so
far away. But I'll ride down as often
as my duties will permit. and you must
let me know how things go. And IT
any of those fellows prosecute you
you'll tell me, won't you? l wish you'd
look upon me as your big brother.
Will you do that?'' His voice entreat-
ed, and as she remained silent he con-
tinued: Roaring Fork is one OF the
worst towns in the state. and girl
like you needs some one as a protector.
I don't know just how to put 1t so
that you will not misunderstood me,
but, you see, protect the forest, the
streams and the game, help the set
tier In time Of trouble, I am kind OF
al round big brother to everybody
who needs help in the forest In fact.
Am paid for protecting things that
protect themselves, and so"-here
he tried to lend his voice the accent Of
humor-"why shouldn't be the pro-
tector of girl like you, alone-worse
than alone-in this little cow town?"
She remained dumb at one or two
points where he clearly hoped for a
word, and she was unable to thank
him when he had finished. In this ST.
lence a curious construction came into
his throat. 1t was almost as If he
had put his passion into definite words.
and as the light fell upon her he per
ceived that her bosom was heaving
with deep emotion.
II am lonely" she faltered out at
last-"horribly lonely. And I know
now how people feel toward my moth
er, and it hurts nett all hurts me.
But I'm going to stay and help her,
She paused to recover her voice. And
you do seem different. IL trust your
"I'm glad you understand me, and
you will let me know If can help
you, won't your
. eyes" she answered simply.
~Good night" he said, extending hia
hand.
She placed her palm to his quite
frankly, but the touch of it made FUR
x.ther speech at the moment Impossible
y They went in with such telltale faces
that even Redfield wondered what had
passed between them:
Excusing himself almost at once
Oavanagh left the room, and when he
looked in q few moments later be was
clothed in the rangers dusty green
uniform. booted and spurred for his
long, hard ride. Mrs. Redfeld follow
ed him into the hall and out on the
doorstone to say: Gross, you must b.
careful. This girl is very alluring II
herself, but her mother, you know, Il
impossible"
you're needlessly alarmed. III
usual" he smilingly replied. "She in
terests me, that's patent. But beyond
that, why, nonsense! Good night"
Nevertheless. despite his protesta
lions, he went away up the trail will
his mind so filled with Lee Virginia:
appealing face and form that he woult
certainly have ridden over precipic'
had it not been for his experienced
pony, which had fortunately but on
aim, and that was to cross the rang
safely and to reach the home pasture
at the earliest moment
q Left alone. Lee Virginia though
over her past. She was not entirel!
without experience as regards respect
full courtship. Her life in the east ha(
brought her to know number of at
tractive lads and few men. but nom
of these had become more than
good companion or friend. and. though
she wrote to one or two Of theS
youths letters of the utmost friendll
ness, there was no passion in them
and she felt as yet the sting of nothin;
more intense in her liking for Cava
MACH Rut he meant more 10 her nov