Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-01

vorable report on your mothers case.
You'll write me the result Of the ex-,
animation. won't you?"
"If you wish me to- .
II shall be most anxious to know"
They were standing very near to
each other at the moment, and the
ranger. made very sensitive to wo-
mans charm by his lonely life, shook
with newly created love Of her. A
suspicion, hope. that beneath her crh-
tivated manner hay the passionate ma
ture of her mother gave an added force
to his desire. He was sorely tempted
to touch her. to test her, but her sweet
voice, little sad and perfectly I'M
conscious Of evil. Gained him, She
said:
~ hope to persuade my mother to
leave the Forks. All the best people
there are against us. Some of them
have been very cruel to her and to me.
and, besides, despise and fear the
men who come to orr table,
"You must not exchange words with
Them" he all but commanded. "Be-
ware Of Gregg; he is vile lot. Do not
trust him for an instant. DO not per-
NIT any Of those loafers to talk with
you, for If you do they will go away to
defame you. l know them. They are
unspeakably vile. 1t makes me angry
to think that Gregg and his like have
the right to speak to you every day.
while can see you only at long inter
walls. wish my station We're not so
far away. But I'll ride down as often
as my duties will permit. and you must
let me know how things go. And il
any Of those fellows persecute you
you'll tell me, won't you? wish you'd
look upon me as your big brother.
Will you do that:" His voice entreat-
tinued: Roaring Fork is one of the
worst towns in the state, and a girl
like you needs some one as protector.
don't know just how to put it so
that you will not misunderstood me,
but. you see, I protect the forest, the
streams and the game, I help the set
tier in time of trouble, I am kind Of
all round big brother to everybody
who needs help in the forest. In fact.
I'm paid for protecting things that
can't protect themselves, and so"-here
he tried to lend his voice the accent Of
humor-"why shouldn't be the pro-
tector Of a girl like you, alone-worse
than alone-in this little COW town."
She remained dumb at one or two
points where he clearly hoped for
word, and she was unable to thank
him when he had finished. In this ST.
lence a curious construction came into
his throat. 1t was almost rs if he
had put his passion into definite words.
and as the light fell upon her he per-
ceived that her bosom was heavins
with deep emotion.
Il am lonely" she faltered cut at
last-"horribly lonely. And know
now how people feel toward my moth
er, and it hurts met all hurts me.
But I'm going to stay and help her.
She paused to recover her voice. "And
you do seem different. IL trust your
"rm glad you understand me, and
you will let me know if l can help
you, won't ycu:"
YES she answered simply.
Good night" he said, extending his
hand.
She placed her palm to his quite
frankly, but the TOUCH Of it made fur
ther speech at the moment impossible.
They went. i'll with such telltaIe faces
that even Redfeld wondered what had
passed between them.
E1cusing himself almost at once,
Cavanagh left the room. and when lie
looked in few moments later he was
clothed in the rangers dusty green
uniform, booted and spurred for his
long. hard ride. Mrs. Redfeld follow
ed him into the hall and out on the