Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-26
Cavanagh,
Forest
Ranger
The Great Conservation
Novel
By HAMLIN GARLAND
cspysi0sG. 1850. BY naniin casiaad
CHAPTER '.
By HAMLIN GARLAND
c.,yri1,.. 1850. BY n.n,in Garland


room swarmed with those seeking
food. and as the news of the girls
beauty went out upon the range the
cowboys sought excuse to ride In and
get square meal and glimpse of the
..oueen" whose hand had witched 1.-The
old shack" into marvel of cleanliness.
Generally they failed Of so much as a
glance at her, for she kept away from
the dining room at mealtime.
Lee Virginia was fully aware Of this
male curiosity and vaguely conscious
of the light which shone in the eyes
Of some Of them (men like Gregg.
She had begun to understand, too. that
her mothers reputation was q barrier
between the better class Of folk and
herself But as they came now and
again 10 take a meal they permitted
themselves word in her praise,
which she resented. II don't want
their friendship now" she declared
bitterly.
As she gained courage to look about
her she began to be Interested in some
Of her boarders.
So far as the younger men were con-
cerned. she saw little to admire and
much to hate. They were crude and
aninteresting rowdies for the most
part. She was put upon her defense by
their glances. and she came to dread
walking along the street. SO open and
eoarSe were their words of praise.
Few Of these loafers had the courage
10 r$o nd hor
favor, but there was one who speedily
became her chief prosecutor. This was
Seill Ballard, celebrated (and made
}mpudenD by two years. travel with
Wild west show. He was tall, lean.
angular and freckled. but his horse
nanship was marvellous and his skill
With the rope magical.
He had lost his engagement by rea.
,on Of drunken brawi. and he was
aow living with his sister. the wife Of
I small rancher near by. Virginia de-
spised the other men, but she feared
this one. and quite Justly.
The Greggs. father and son. were
In open rivalry for Lee also, but in DIFF
Eerent ways. The older man, who had
1nSN0y DCCA4 AA&AAASA oCNSAAA SAAASSs
was disposed to buy her hand In what
he called honorable wedlock." but the
son, ut heart libertine. approached
her as one who despised the west and
who. being kept in the beastly coun-
try by duty to parent. was ready to
amuse himself at any ones expense.
He had no purpose in life but to feed
his body and escape toll.
The chivalry Of the plains. Of which
Lee had read SO much and which she
supposed she remembered, was gone.
She doubted II it had ever existed
among these centaurs. Why should 1t
lnhere in ignorant, brutal plainsmen
any more than in ignorant, brutal fac
tory hands?
There came to her now and again
gentle old acknowledgements" they
would be called-and shy boys from
the farms. but for the most part the
men she saw imbittered her, and she
kept out Of their sight az much rs pos
sible. Her keenest pleasures. almost
her only pleasures. lay in the OCCASION
al brief visits Of Cavanagh as he rode
In for his mail.
Lie perceived all these attacks on
her daughter and was Infatuated by
them. Her brows were knotted with
care as well MS with pain. and she in
eessar.:.y urged Virginia to so back to
Sulphur. "I'll send you money to pay
your board till you strike job" But
to this the girl would not agree, and
the business by reason Of her presence
went on increasing from day to day.
TO Redneld Lie one day confessed
her pain. II ought to send for that
doctor up there. but the plain truth Is
I'm afraid Of him. don't want to
know what's the matter of me. It's
his job to tell me I'm sick, and I'm
scared Of his verdict"
afford to put OF getting him much
longer. pm going back tonight, but
IN be over again tomorrow. Why
don't you let me bring him down? It
will save you SIP. And. by the way,
suppose you let me take Lee Virginia
home with me. She looks bit de-
pressed. An outing will do her good.
0uO Sdhcu UOIU ucTS WOuOcI1uuys
.Hasn't she? But should have sent
her away the very first night. I'm get
ting to depend on her. I'm plumb
foolish shout her now-can't let her
out Of my sight. and yet I'm OF my
feed worrying over her. Gregg is get.
ting dangerous. You can't fool me
when it comes to men. Curse 'em!
They're all alike. every one Of them
won't have my girl mistreated, tell
you that. I'm not fit to be her mother.
Now, that's the truth. Reddy, and this
rotten little back country COW town is
NO place for her. But what can do?
She won't leave me so long as I'm
sick, and every day ties her closer tc
me. don't know what ia do without
her. II I'm going to die I want her
BY me when take my drop. SO you
zee just how I'm placed"
She looked yellow and drawn a. she
ended, and .Redneld was moved by hes
unwontod tenderness.
sNow. ~ NJ advise," be began aft.
era moments pause. 1--WE mustn't let
- Girl st hQmsglck. III take hsE