The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-23
Continued.)


 The tears cuiue Iu the old w0man's eyes, and her voice broke as she re piled: "l 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 ts 90 ing to come along one of these days, and he won't want E,e even as step mother-in-law. No; have decided that you and me had better live apart. I'll get you . place 10 live up in Sulphur. where I can visit you now and again. but guess am elected to stay right here In the Fork. They don't like me. and I don't like them. but l 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 wistfuliy toward the story of her mother. Where did my mother meet my father7 Do you know thatr'
 No. l don't It was q runaway match. Ed said. l never did know who her folks were, only I know they thought she was marrying the wrong man"
 The girl sighed as her mind took in 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."
 "l am afraid she did have a 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 l met him first but everybody liked him He was one of the hand dle. But he was close mouthed. You never could get anything out of him that he didn't want to tell. and I 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 LiZe. Lees heart light ened. 1t would make a difference to Rosa It would make a difference to the Redfeids. Traitorous as it seem ed. 1t was a great relief. a joy. to know that her own mether-her real morher-had been nice" ''She must
 
 said so." she reasoned. recalling that her stepmother had admitted her feel ing of jealousy.
 At last I1ise rose. "Weli. now. dearie, reckon we had better turn in. It is getting chilly and late."
 As they were about to part at the door of the tent Virginia took Lize's 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 Like 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 a roaring. cracking sound and by the fare 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 h a blanket. calmly contemplating 1t. stood Cavanagh with folded arms. A little nearer to the bridge Redfeld was sitting upon an upturned box.
 
 mother. and Lize. heavy eyed. iaggard with sleep. rose slowly and peered out at the scene with eyes of dull amaze ment- Why dou't they try to put 1t outY' 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 fhe cabin and every thread 1t contains to prevent the spread of the plague Hugh and Sven son have divided their garments with me. and this blanket which 1 wear is my only coat. All that l have is in that cabin now going up in smoke ALT klnr, CFEF lulnE.
 How could you do it?" she cried out. understanding what his sacrifice had been
 ''I couldn't" he replied. 'srhe su- pervisor did 1t. They had to go. The cabin was saturated with poison. It had become to me 8 plague spot. and there was no other way to stamp 1t out l should never have felt safe if l had carried out even so much as a letter."
 Dumb and shivering with the chill of the morning. Lee Virginia drew nearer ever nearer. "I am so sorry" she said and yearned toward him. eager to comfort him. but he warning lr nlnfioned her away.
 "Fiaase don't come any nearer. for dare not touch you"
 "But you are not ill?" she cried out with a note of apprehension in her voice.
 f3e smiled in response to her dues rIon. "No: feel nothing but weari. ness and a little depression. l can't help feeling somehow as if I were burning up part of myself in that fre-the saddle I have ridden for years. my guns, ropes. spurs. Every thing relating to the forest is gone and with il my youth, have been uor,othirr oF o oraIosc froob0otnr my