The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-02-11

Forest
Ranger
The Great Conservation
Novel
By HAhLN GARLAND
Copyright 1910, BY Hamlin Cal.
BY HAllIN GARLAND
Copyright 1910, by Hamlin GaE-
land.
CONTINUED from yesterday. J

4
Il am afraid she did have 4 hard
time, for Ed admitted to me that he
hadn't so much as a saddle when he
landed in the state. he hadn't much
when 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 rnolthed. You
never could get anything out Of him
that he didn't want to tell, and was
never able to discover what he had
been doing in, the southern part Of the
state"
Az she pondered on her changed re-
latlonship to Lie, Lees heart light
ened. 1t would make Inference to
Ross. 1t would make difference to
the Redfelds Traitorous as It seem
cd. 1t was great relief. a Joy. to
know that her own mother-her real
mother-had been mice" .'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 SSWell, now. dearie,
reckon we had better turn in. II
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 carcss made perfectly plain
to her the relief which filed the girls
heart.
Lee Virginia was awakened some
hours later by a roaring. cracking
sound and by the flare Of yellow
light upon her tent Peerlng out, She
saw flames shooting up through the
roof Of the rangers cabin. while be.
side 1t, wrapped IN blanket, calmly
contemplating 1t. stood Cavanash with
folded arms. ~ little nearer to the
bridge Redtield was sitting upon an
upturned box. So
With cry Of alarm sue aroused her
mother. and Lie. heavy eyed. laggurG
with sleep, rose slowly and peered out
at the scene with eyes of dull amaze
ment why don't they try 10 put Ii
outT she. demanded as, she took in the
import of the passive figures.
Dressing with tren2ious haste, Lee
.tAoped from the tent Just III time tc
e." sWenson come from behind the
turning building and join the others
in slant contemplation of the scene.
There WIS something uncanny in tile
calm inact!on of the three strong men.
Slowly. wonderlngly. the girl drew
near aud called to Cnvanagh. who
turned quickly, crying out: Don;
come too close and don't be Brighten.
ed. l set the place, GU; fire myself
The poor old hcrdcrrdied 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 aud Sven
SOU have divided their garments with
me, aud 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 it," she cried
ont. understanding what his sacrifice
had been
Il couMn't," liz rrp!lrl. "The su.
pervisor I'll H. They nWl .u -'ac
! cabin was saturated with POISON. II
had become to me plague spot. and
there was no other way to stamp It
out. l should never have felt safe If
l had carried out even SO much as n
letter.
Dumb and shivering with the chill
Of the morning, Lee Virginia drew
nearer. ever nearer II am so sorry"
she said and yearn0d toward him.
cage" TO comfort him. but he warning.
~ motioned her away. -
$Please don't come any nearer. for l
dare not touch you"
But you are not ill2" she cried out,
With note Of apprehension in he:
voice.
he smiled lin response to her ques.
tion. mo; feel nothing but wearl
ness and little depression, ! can't
help feeling somehow rs IL ! were
burning up "a part Of myself in thar
Hre-the sahdl. have ridden for
years. my gun. ropes. spurs. Every.
thing relating to tho forest is gone,
ami with m7 youth. have been
something OF a careless freebooter my.
self, I feGRfbt: that IS all over VIII
now" he looked her in the face with
sad and resolute glance. The for
est service made man OF me, tau6St
me to regard the future never ac-
cepted responsibility til / became a
ranger. and in thinking 1t all over I
have decided to stay with It. as the
boys say. till the spring rains
81 am very glad of that" she said.
yes; Dalton thinks can qualify for
the position Of supervisor. and Redfield
may offer me the supervision of this
forest. II he docs 1 viii accept it
II you viii go with me and share the
small home which the supervisors pay
provides. VIII you go:''
L, t1,n It,,t,, - 1T, i.,,..,t.,s, ,,.,I,iyf anN