Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-04-27

rush Of tenderness. Now that she was
released from the necessity of excusing
hef mothers faults-faultS she could
now ignore-now that she could look
upon her as loyal friend. she was
moved to pity and to love, and. rising,
Sue went to her and put her arms
ABOUT her neck and said: This won't
make any difference. l 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-
pned: Il knew you would say that.
Lee Virginia, but all the same l don't
intend to have you do any such thing
you've got to cut loose from me alto
gether, because some fine chap is go
ing to come along one of these days,
aad he won't want me even as a STEP
mother-in-law. No; have decided that
you and me had better live apart. I'll
get you a place to live up in Sulphur,
Where l can visit you now and again,
out | guess T am elected to stay right
mere in the Fork. They don't like me,
and | don't like them, but | have kind
of got used to their ways of looking at
me sideWise. They don't matter as
much as it would up there in the city"
Lee turned back wistfully toward
the story of her mother. Where did
my mother meet my father? Do you
know that?
n
match, Ed said. | never did know
who her folks were, only | know they
thought she was marrying the wrong
man.
The girl sighed as her mind took il
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"
Il 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
Ole. But i,e was close mOuthed. You
never cou!l get anything out Of him
that he diCn't want to tell, and | 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
Ross. 1t would make a difference to
the RedfeldS. TraitorOus as it seem
ed. it was a great relief. joy, to
know that her own mother-her real
mother-had been nice "She must
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,
l reckon we had better turn in. 1t
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 filled the girls
heart
Lee Virginia was awakened some
hours later by roaring, cracking
sound and by the flare of a yellow
light upon her tent. Peering out, she
saw flames shooting up through the
roof of the rangers cabin. while be-
side it, wrapped in a blanket. calmly
contemplating it. stood Cavanagh with
folded arms. A little nearer to the
bridge Redfeld was sitting upon an
upturned box.
With 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
out?" 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, wonderingly, the girl drew
near and called to Cavanagh, who
turned quickly, crying out: Don't
come too close and don't be frighten-
ed. | set the place on fire 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 it contains to prevent the
spread Of the plague Hugh and Sven
son have divided their garments with
me. and this blanket which l 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 it," she cried
out, understanding what his sacrifice
had been
Il couldn't" he replied. THE SUI
pervisor did it. They had to go. The
cabin was saturated with poison. 1t
had become to me plague spot. and
there was no other way to stamp it