Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-24

sit up. Won't you come in and see
herf"
with pleasure" assented Redfeld
"but want to see you alone. l have
something to say to you" He turned
to bis superior "Just go into the cafe.
Dalton. I'll see you in a moment"
Lee Virginia, hitherto ashamed Of
the house. the furniture, the bed-ev-,
erything-led the way without a word
of apology. 1t was all detached now
something about TO be left behind. like
a bad garment borrowed in time Of
stress. Nothing mattered since Ross
lid not return.
Lie. looking unvoc.adly refined and
gentle, was sitting in a big rocking
chair with her feet on a stool. her
eyes fixed on the mountains, which
showed through the open window. All
the morning sense of profound
change. Of something passing. had op-
pressed her. Now that she was about
10 leave the valley its charm appealed
to her. She was tearing up multi
tude of tiny roots of whose existence
yhe had hitherto remained unaware.
Il belong here" she acknowledged ST.
lently. "Td be homesick anywhere
else on Gods earth. It's rough and
fly bit and all that, but so am |.
wouldn't fit in anywhere that Lee be-
longed." ..
She acknowledged an especial liking
for Redfield. and she had penetration
enough, worldly wisdom enough, to
knew that Lee belonged more 70 his
world than to her own and that his
guidance and friendship were worth
more. much more, than that Of all the
rest of the country, her own included,
Therefore she said; I'm mighty glad
to see you. Reddy Sit down You've
got to hear my little spiel this time"
Redfield, perched on the edge of a
tawdry chair, looked about like the
charity visitor in a sum Kitchen with
out intending to express disgust, but
It was a dismal room in which to be
sick, and he pitied the woman the
more profoundly as he remembered
her in the days when "all outdoors"
was none too wide for her
Lie began abruptly: I'm down,
but not out. In fact, | was coming up
to see you this afternoon. Lee and
are just about pulling out for good"
Indeed! Why not go back with
me?"
"You can take the girl back If you
want to, but now that I'm getting my
chance at you may not go"
! Redfields tone was entirely cordial
. as he turned to Lee. II came hoping
to carry you away. VIII you come?'
I'm afraid | can't unless mother
goes" she replied sadly.
Lie waved an imperative hand
Fade away, child | want to talk
with Mr.. Redfeld alone. Go-seew
Thus dismissed, Lee went back to
the restaurant, where she found the
forester just sitting down to his lunch
con. "Mr Redfeld will be out in a
few minutes" she explained.
won't you join me?" he asked in
the frank accent of one to whom WON
en- are comrades. THE supervisor has
been telling me about you"
She took a seat facing him, feeling
something refined in his long. smooth
ly shaven. boyish face lie seemed
very young to be district forester, and
his eyes were soft brown, with small
wrinkles of laughter playing round
, their corners.
He began at once on the subject OF
his visit "Redfeld tells me you are O
, friend of Mr. Cavanagh's. Did you
, know that he had resigned"
She faced him with startled eyes
, "No, indeed Has he done so?
, "Yes. The supervisor got a letter
! yesterday inclosing his resignation
, and asking to be relieved at once
[ And when | heard Of 1t i asked the
. supervisor to bring me down to see
Z him. He's too good a man to lose"
' "Why did he resignT
? "He seemed very bitter over the
=. chiefs dismissal But | hope to per
q suade him to stay in the service. Hes
r too valuable man to lose just now
J. when the war is so hot. | realize thai
q his salary Is too small. But there art
| other places for him. Perhaps wheI
: he knows that | have a special not'
q to him from the chief he will recon
, slider. He's quite capable of the su
pervisor's position, and Mr.. Redfield Il
r willing to resign in his favor. In
. telling you all this because Mr.. Red
' field has told me of your interest IL
. Mr.. Cavanagh. or rather, his interes
In you"
0 Sam Gregg, entering the door at th
0 moment, came directly to the forest
er's table. He was followed by tn
n sheriff, bearded old man with soil
/ ed collar and dim eye.
I Gregg growled out You'd bette
8 keep your man Cavanagh in the hills
/. Mr.. Forester or somebody will take
b pot shot at him"
. "Why, what's new|
!. "His assistant is down with small
8 pox"
"Smallpoxw exclaimed Dalton.
Every jaw was fixed and every ey
turned upon the Speaker. ..
"Smallpox" gasped Lee, .. b.. d
Gregg resumed, enjoying the sensa
Q ton he was creating. Eyes, tina
7 Basque herder of mine, the one u
/ near Black Tooth, sent word he wa
d sick, so | hunted up an old tramp b
l. the name of Edwards to take his place
Edwards found the dago dying Of po
l. and skipped out over the range. leaN
ing him to die alone, Cavanagh wen
d up and found the dago dead and too
l. care of him. Result is he's full c
a germs and has brought his apprentic
l. down with it. and both. of 'em must b