Semi-weekly herald., 1911-04-24

her mothers faults-faults ahe could
now ignore-now that she could look
upon her as a loyal friend, she was
moved to pity and to love, and, rising,
she went to her and put her arms
about her neck and said: '.This won't
make any difference. 1 am going to
stay with you and help you just the
same"
The tears came to the old woman's
eyes. and her voice broke as she re-
piled: Il knew you would say that,
Lee Virginia, but all the same don't
intend to have you do any such thing
You've got to cut loose from me alto
gether. because some f1ne chap Is 60
ing to come along one of these days,
and he won't want me even as a step
mother-in-law. No; l have decided that
you and me had better live apart. I'll
get you place to live up in Sulphur,
where can visit you now and again,
but guess I am elected to stay right
here in the Fork. They don't like me-
and don't like them, but 1 have kind
Of got used to their ways Of looking at
me sidewise. They don't matter as
much as 1t would up there In the city"
Lee turned back wistfully toward
the story of her mother. where did
my mother meet my father2 Do you
know thatT
mo. l don't. 1t was a runaway
match. Ed said. l never did know
who her folks were. only 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 saddle when he
landed In the state. He hadn't much
when l 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 l 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 a difference to
the Redhelds. Traltorous as 1t seem.
ed. 1t was great relief, Joy, to
know that her own mother-her real
hn1 tlnta
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. well, now, dearie,
I reckon we had better turn in. It
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 roaring, cracking
sound and by the fare of a 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 blanket calmly
contemplating 1t, stood Cavanagh with
folded arms. A little nearer to the
bridge Redfeld was sitting upon an
upturned box.
With a 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 1t
outY' 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, woEderingly. the girl drew
near and called to Cavanagh, who
sNAASu quientyp SiyAhk out. DOu I
come too close and don't be frighten.
ed. set the place on nre 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 have Is In
that cabin now going up in smoke
my guns, pictures, everything"
How could you do itT' she cried
out, understanding what his sacrifice
had been.
II couldn't" he replied. ''The su-
pervisor did 1t. They had to go. The
cabin was saturated with poison. 1t
had become to me 4 plague spot, and
there was no other way to stamp 1t
out I should never have felt safe II
I had carried out even 20 much a. q
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 warning
ly motioned her away.
please don't come any nearer, for !
dare not touch you"
ssRuf vor, ara not III ~ aho rriad ont