Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-02-24
CHAPTER XII1.

lhE olIb SLlE@iSA Aii-Af1A@A''
"HE ranger was awakened in the
first faint dawn by the passing
of the girls light feet as she
a went across the hall to her
mothers room, and a moment later he
heard the low murmur of her voice.
Throwing off his blankets and making
such scant toilet as he needed, he
stepped into the hall and waited for
her to return.
Soon she came toward him, a smile
of confidence and pleasure on her lips
"How is she?" he asked.
"Quite comfortable
"And you?" His voice was very ten
der
II am a little tired" she acknowl-
edged. 81 didn't sleep very we'll"
"You didn't sleep at ALL" he declared
regretfully.
"Oh, yes, did" she replied brightly.
These two ardent souls confronted
each other in absorbed silence with
lleener perception. with new daring,
with new intimacy, till he recalled
himself with effort "You must let me
help you if there's anything | can do.
Remember, I'm your big brother"
81 remember" she answered smiling
ly. land I'm going out to see what my
big brother is to have for breakfast"
Cavanagh found the street empty,
silent and utterly commonplace. He
went forth to his duties with deep
ened conviction of the essential law
lessness of the state and of America in
general, for this spirit of mob law
was to be found in some form through.
out the land. He was disgusted. but
not beaten. His resolution to carry out
the terms of his contract with the
government remained unshaken.
He carried with him also a final
disturbing glimpse of Eliza Wether
ford's girl that did indeed threaten his
peace of mind. There was an invol
untary appeal, wistful depth to her
glance which awakened in him an in
dignant pity and also blew into flame
| something not so creditable-some
| thing which smoldered beneath bis
conscious will. She had not escaped
her heritage of passion, and hel
| glances, innocent as they were, reused
even in him something lawless.
His pony plodded slowly, and the
| afternoon was half spent before ht
came in sight of the long, low log cab
i'll which was the only. home he pos
time since lie built it the station seem
ed lonely and disheartening 'WoulC
any woman for love of me come tC
such a hearthStoneW he asked him
self And if she consented to do SC
could be so selfish as to exact sucL
sacrifice? No; the forest ranger IL
these attitudes must be young an(
heart free; otherwise his life would bt
miserably solitary"
He was just dishing out his rude
supper when the feet Of horse OF
The log bridge announced a visitor.
With feeling Of pleasure as wei
as relief he rose to greet the stranger
Amy visitor is welcome this night.
he said
The horseman proved to be his for
mer prisoner, the old man Edwards
who slipped from his saddle with tn,
never failing grace of the cow mal
and came slowly toward the cabin
He smiled YEARLY as he said: I'm OF
your trail, Mr.. Ranger, but bear NJ
malice. You were doing your duty
Can you tell me how far 1t is to Am
bros campT
There was something forlorn in tn
mans attitude. and Cavanagh's hear
softe1ed Turn your horse into tn
corral and come to supper" he com
manded with western bluntness
"We4l talk about all that later"
Edwards accepted his hospitalit.
without hesitation. I'm going up tt
take Ambro's place" he began after