Semi-weekly herald., 1911-01-30
. k1n0hr
By HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. by Hamlin Garland

l tell Redfield, don't object to the
forest policy-it's a good thing for me;
l get my sheep pastured cheaper than
could do any other way. but 1t makes
me hot to have grazing lines run on
me and my herders lacked up every
time they get over the line. Ross run
one bunch or the reservation last Fri
day. I'm going to find out about that.
He'll learn he can't get arbitrary with
me-"
The old woman chuckled, Pears
like you've changed your tune since
'9S. Sam"
He admitted his conversion shame
lessly. "I'm for whatever will pay
best Just now, with a high tariff,
sheep are the boys. So long as l can
get on the reserve at cents head
lambs free-Fm going to put every dol
lar I've got into sheep"
"You're going to get thrown of al
together one of these days." said the
young man on the back seat
. Thereupon n violent discussion aroJe
over the question of the right of
sheepman to claim first grass for bis
focks. and Gregg boasted that he cared
nothing for "the dead line" They've
tried to run me out of Deer Creek, but
I'm there to stay. I have 10000 more
on the way, and the man that tries to
stop me will find trouble"
The car was descending into the val
ley Of the Roaring Fork now, and wire
fences and alfalfa fields on either side
gave further evidence of the change in
the lands dominion. Down past the
courthouse, refurbished and deeper
sunk In trees, Lee Virginia rode re-
calling the wild night when 300 armed
and vengeful cowboys surrounded 1t.
holding three cattle barons and their
hired invaders against all corners, res
olute to be their own Judge, Jury and
hangman. 1t was all as peaceful as
Sunday afternoon at this moment,
with no sign of the fierce passions of
the past.
The car crossed the Roaring Fork
and drew up before two small shacks,
one of which bore faded sign, "rhe
Wetherford House." and the other In
fresher paint, THE Wetherford Cafe"
On the sidewalk a group of Indians
were sitting, and half dozen slouch-
ing white men stood waiting at the
door.
As Lee went past the hotel porch
her heart beat hard and her breath
shortened. In flash she OWNED the
truth. She understood why her moth
er had discouraged her coming home.
1t was not merely on account of the
money. 1t was because she knew that
her business was wrong.
What a squalid little den 1t was!
How cheap, bald and petty the whole
town seemed of a suddeni Lee Vir-
ginia halted and turned. There was
only one thing to be done, and that
was to make herself known. She re-
traced her steps, pulled open the bro
ken screen door and entered the cafe.
1t was low, dingy dining room filled
with the odor of ham and bad coffee.
At the tables ten or fifteen men, n mot
ley throng were busily feeding their
voracious jaws, and on her left, behind
showcase filed with cigars, stood
her mother looking old. unkempt and
worried. The changes in her were so
great that the girl stood In shocked
alarm. At last she raised her veil.
Mother" she said, don't you know
meT
look of surprise went over the
older woman's fabby face-a glow
which brought back something of her
other self. as she cried. why, Lee
virginny. where did you come from2"
The boarders stopped chewing and
stared In absorbed Interest, while Vir
ginIa kissed her blowsy mother.
by the Lord, It's little Virginnyp
said one old fellow. Its her daugh-
ter"
Upon this a mutter of establishment
arose, and the waiter girls, giggling,
marveling and enyious, paused. their
platters in hand, to exchange comment
on the newcomers hat and gown. A
cowboy at the washing sink in the
corner suspended his face polishing
and gaped over his shoulder in silent
ecstasy. Some of the men came for
ward to greet her, and. though she had
some difficulty In recognizing one or
two Of them $50 hardly had the years
Of her absence used them, she even
tually succeeded in placing them all.
At length her mother led her through
the archway which connected the two
shanties. thence along u narrow hall
into a small bedroom, into which the
western sunset fell. 1t was a shabby
place, but as a refuge from the crowd
In the restaurant 1t was grateful.
Lie looked at her daughter critical
ly. 81 don't know what I'm going to
do with girl like you. Why. you're
purty-purty as n picture. You were
skinny as child. I'm fair daZed.
Great snakes, how you have opened
out! You're the living image Of your
dad. What started you back? I told
you to stay where you was"
II had no place to go after Aunt
Celia died. had to come home"
"You wrote they was willing to keep
you"
"They were. but I couldn't ask It of
them. had no right to burden them,
and, besides, Mrs. Hall wrote me that
you were sick"
II am, but didn't want you to come