Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-14
CHAPTER XVIII.
CALL FOR nELP.

r.I SAA6A NJ 81
A CALL FOR nELP.
~ N the following morning. while
they were busy packing for
the Journey to Sulphur. Red
- field rolled up to the door In
company with a young man In the uni
form of q forester.
'Go ask Reddy to come 81" COM
manded Liza. II want to zee him."
Redfeld met the girl at the door aud
presented his companion as "Mr. Dali
ton. district forester" Dalton was a
tall young fellow with q marked south
ern accent. lis Cavanagh. the ranger.
in town." be asked.
NO." Lee replied, with effort; "he
was here a few days ago. but he's
gone back to the forest"
Redfeld studied the girl with keen
gaze, perceiving q pass. onate restraint
In her face.
"How is your mother?" he asked po-
litely.
Lee smiled family. "She's able to
sit up. Won't you come In and see
herr"
with PLEASURE" assented Reddeld.
''but I want to e you alone. l have
something to say to you" He turned
to his superior. "Just go into the cafe,
Dalton. I'll see you in a moment"
Lee Virginia, hitherto ashamed of
the house, the furniture. the bed-ev-
erything-led the way without a word
Of apology. It was all detached now
something about to be left behind. like
q bad garment borrowed in q time of
stress. Nothing mattered since Ross
did not return.
Lie, looking unwontedly refined and
gentle, was sitting in a big rocking
chair with her feet on a stool. her
eyes fixed on the mountains, which
showed through the open window. All
the morning q n Of profound
change. Of something passing. had OPP
pressed her. Now that she was about
to leave the valley its charm appealed
to her. She was tearing up a multi
tude Of tiny roots Of whose existence
she had hitherto remained unaware.
n belong here" she acknowledged 81
iently. I'D be homesick anywhere
else ON Gods earth. It's rough and
fy bit and all that, but 50 am L !
wouldn't at in anywhere that Lee be-
longsd."
She acknowledged IN especial liking
for Redheld. and she had penetration
enough, worldly wisdom enough. to
knew that Lee belonged more to his
world than to her own and that bis
guidance and friendship were worth
more. much more. than that Of al tho
rest Of the country, her own included
Therefore she said: I'm mighty glad
TO sec you. Reddy. Sit down. You've
got to hear my little spiel this time"
Rsddeid. perched N the edge Of .
Itawdry chair. looked about Cike the
charity visitor In q slum kitchen) with
out intending to express disgust, but
It was q dismal room in which to be
sick. and he pitied the woman the
more profoundly as he remembered
her In the days when "all outdoors"
was none too wide for her.
Lie began abruptly: I'm down,
but not out In fact, I was coming up
to see you this afternoon. Lee and I
are Just about pulling out for good"
Indeed! Why not 80 back with
me?'
"You car take the girl back II you
want to. but now that I'm getting my
chance Mt you I may not 60"
Redfeld.s tone was entirely cordial
as he turned to Lee. II came hoping
to carry You away. Will you comet"
"I'm afraid I can't unless mother
goes" she replied sadly.
Lie waved an imperative hand.
"Fade away, child. I want to talk
with Mr.. Redfeld alone. Go-see"
Thus dismissed, Lee went back to
the restaurant, where she found the
forester Just sitting down to his lunch
con. "Nr. RedaeA viii be out in q
few Minutes" she explained.
Wont you join mef', he asked In
the frank accent Of one to whom wom-
en- are comradeA. 1.-THE supervisor has
been telling me about you"
She took a seat facing him. feeling
something refined In his long. smooth
y shaven, boyish face. He seemed
very young to be district forester, and
his eyes were q soft brown. with small
wrinkles Of laughter playing round
their corners.
He began at once on the subject Of
his visit. "Redaeld tells me you are a
friend Of Mr.. Cavanagh's. Did you
know that he had resignedY'
She faced him with startled eyes.
"No, indeed. Has he done soT'
Eyes. The supervisor got q letter
yesterday inclosing his resignation
and asking to be relieved at once
And when I heard Of It I asked tho
supervisor to bring me down to see
him. He's too good . man to lose"
why did he resignr'
HE seemed very bitter over the
chiefs dismissal. But I hope to per-
Eusds him to stay In the service. Hes
too valuable . man to lose just now,
when the war IL 20 hot. I realize that
hts 0lary 10 too small. But there arc
other places for him. Perhaps when
he knows that I have . special note
20 him from the chief he win recon-
sider. Hes quite capable Of the su-
pervisor's position, and M. Redneld Il
willing to resign In his favor. I'm
telling you all this because Mr.. Red
Q.,a ~. <cHA vn> ~ vaNpP ~anfnHoaf In