Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1911-09-21

IS Ranger
BY hAMlN GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. by Hamlin Garland

dainty dishes, and she said to herself
IT could have been something like bel
II I'd had any sort Of raising. but it's
too late now. But. Lord, wouldn't Ed
like to see her nowt'
1t was not yet dark when they came
out on the veranda to meet the doctor
who had come to meet Ross, and Lees
anxiety led her to say, Cant we 60
up to the cabin and wait for him
! thereT'
IL was about to propose that" re-
piled Redfeld "Shall we walk"
Lee was instant in her desire to be
off, but Lie said: 81 never was much
on foot, and now I'm hoof bound. You
go along. and I'll sit on the porch here
/ and watch"
So Lee, the doctor and Redfeld went
off together across the meadow to-
ward the little cabin which had been
built for the workmen while putting
In the dam. 1t was hardly a mile
away. and yet 1t stood at the mouth of
a mighty gorge. out or which the wa
ter sprang white with speed.
! But Lee had no mind for the seem
! cry. though her eyes were lifted to the
/ meadows wall. down which the ranger
was expected to ride 1t looked fright
/ fully steep. and whenever she thought
of him descending that trail, worn and
perhaps i'll, her heart ached with arx-
| iety. But Redfield rambled on com
fortably, explaining the situation to
the doctor. who, being a most un-
imaginative person. appeared to take
1t all as a matter Of course.
At the cabin itself Lee transferred
her interest to the supper which had
been prepared for the ranger, and she
went about the room trying to make
1t little more comfortable for him.
1t was q bare little place. hardly more
than camp las was proper. and size
devoutly prayed that he was not to
be sick therein. for it stood in a cold
and gloomy place, close under the
shadow of great wall of rock.
AS il grew dark she lighted lamp
and placed Il outside the window in
order that its light might catch the
rangers eye. and tits indeed it did, for
almost instantly pistol shot echoed
from the hillside far above signaling
his approach.
There he is" she exclaimed In
swift rebound to ecstasy. Hear him
SHOUT" s--5 -4,.,.e
His voice could indeed be heard,
though family and so they waited
while the darkness deepened and the
voice of the stream rose like an ex-
halation, increasing in violence as th
night fell.
At last they could hear the sound of
his horses feet upon the rocks, and
with girlish impulse Lee raised a mu-
steal cry, an invitation as well as a
joyous signal.
To this the ranger made vocal an
swer. and they could soon see him
moving athwart the hillsides, zigzag-
ging in the trailer's fashion. dropping
down with Incredible swiftness. He
was alone and leading his horse, but
his celebrity Of movement and the tones
Of his voice denoted confidence and
health.
The doctor laughed as he said, 81
don't think a very sick man could
come down mountain like that"
"Oh, he isn't sick yet" said Red
field. what we are afraid Of is a
possible development"
Lie was on the veranda when Lee
and Redfleld returned. did he get
through" she asked.
Hes all right 80 far" returned Red
field cheerily. I'VE left the doctor
about to fly at him. Wen have a re-
port soon"
They had hardly finished telling of
how the ranger had descended the hill
when the doctor arrived. HE hasn't
a trace Of it." was his report. "All he
needs Is sleep. cut him Off from his
entire over the range outfit, and there
Is no reason why he should not come
down to breakfast with you in the
morning."
Mrs. Redfield thanked the doctor as
fervently as II he had conferred per-
sonal favor upon her, and the girl
echoed her grateful words.
"Oh, that's all right" the doctor re-
piled In true western fashion. "IIl
do as much more for you any time"
And he rode away, leaving at least
one person too happy to sleep.
The same person was on the veranda
next morning when Cavanagh, dressed
in the supervisors best suit Of gray
cashmere. came striding across the
lawn. too impatient Of the winding
drive to follow It. AS he came, his |
face glowing with recovered health. |
Lee thought him the god Of the morn
ing and went to meet him unashamed.
and he took her to his arms and kiss |
ed her quite as he had promised him
self to do.
"Now / know that l am delivered"
he exclaimed. And they entered the |
new west together.
THE End. -.-.
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