The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-06
Cavanagh,
The Great COnserva-
ton Novel
(Continued.)

lam anu eEES OF Tue Su5ai tACy wi
krived to show her that they consid-
ered her a lady In a rough place and
that they would like to know more
about her.
She accepted their civilities with
Kratitude and listened to their talk
with growing interest II seemed that
the young man had come down from
the hills to meet his friend and take
him back to his cabin
Il can't do it today. Ross" said the
plder man. 81 wish ! could. but one
these days"
Mrs wetherford. seizing the mo-
ment. came down to do the honors.
<You fellers ought to know my girl.
virrinny. this is Forest Supervisor
RedfeId. and this Is Ross Cayanagh.
his forest ranger in this district. You
purht toSknow each other. My girls
lust back from school. and she don't
think much of the Fork. It's a little
too coarse for her"
Lee flushed under this Introduction.
and her distress was so evident that
both men came to her rescue.
The older man bowed and said. 81
nidn't know you had a daughter. Mrs.
Wefherford-" And Cavanagh. with
glance Of admiration. added. We've
been wondering who you might be-"
Lie went on: 81 thought I'd got rid
pf her She's been away now for
about ten years don't know but 1t
was a mistake Looks like she's
crown a little too fine haired for US
doughfes out here"
so much the worse for u.s." replied
Redfeld
This little dialogue gave the girl time
10 recover herself, but as Cavanagh
watched the blush fade from her face.
Deaving II cold and white. he sympa-
khfzed with her-pitied her from the
bottom or his heart. He perceived that
he was q chance spectator of the first
scene I'm a painful domestic drama
pne that might easily become a trag-
edy- He wondered what the forces
might be which had brought such a
Daughter to this sloven. this virago.
DO see a maid Of this delicate bloom
thrust into such a place as Lie Weth-
erfori's .hotel' had the reputation of
being reused Indignation
when did you reach town" he
hsked. and into his voice his admira
hon crept.
Only last night"
@You find great changes here?"
Not SO great as in my mother. It's
hlT- She stopped abruptly. and he
Understood
Lie being drawn back TO her cash.
register. Redfeid turned to say: my
dear young lady. don't suppose you
remember me. but l knew you when
Fou were a tot OF five or six. I knew
your father very WELL"
did your Her face lighted up.
Yes. poor fellow: he went away
know"
Il remember a little Of It I was
here when the shooting took place"
$50 you were. Well. since then much
has happened to Us ALL" he explained
10 the ranger. There wasn't room for
u dashing young blood such as Ed
Wetherford was in those days." He
turned to Lee. He was no worse than
the men on the other side-it was dog
eat dog-but some way the people
rather settled on him as q scapegoat.
he was forced out. and your mother
has borne the brunt Of 1t since Those
were lawiess days"
More and more Lee virginia's heart
went out In trust toward these two
men Opposed to the malodorcus. IN
shaven ihfong which nlIed the room,
they SEEMED wondrously softened and
sympathetic. and In the rangers gaze
WAS something else-something which
made her troubles somehow less intol.
cradle. She felt that he understood
the difficult situation I'm which she
found herself.
Ftedfeld went on. You find us hor
ribIy unciyilized after ten years alb
sencer
Il lind this uncivilized." she replied
with fierce intensity. looking around
the room Then. ON the impulse. sh
added: Il can't stand IL. | came here
TO live with my mother, but this is too
TOO Lorrible"'
Il understand your repulsion." re.
piled Redneid- "a thousand times |
repeat. apropos of This country. Where
every prospect pleases and only man
f. vile'"
do you suppose it was as bad ten
years ago?" she asked WAS every
thing as dirty-as mean: Were the
houses then n full of dies and smells o.
I'm afraid they were. Of course
the country isn't all like this. and
there are neat homes and gentle peo-
pie I'm Sulphur. but most cattlemen
areas they've always been-a shift
less happy-go-lucky lot at best. and
some of them have been worse, as you
know"
Il never dreamed Of finding my
mother I'm such a place." she went on.
Il don't know what to do or say. She
isn't well. | ought to stay and help
her. and yet-oh. II is dishearteningr'
Lie tapped Redfeld on the Shout
der Come over here. Reddy, IL you
have finished your breakfast. ! want
60 talk with you-"
Rrdfeid rose and followed his land
lady behind the counter and there sat
An earnest conversation while she made
change. The tone I'm which her moth
er addressed the supervisor. her action
OF touching him as one man lays hand
upon another. was profoundly reveal
Ing 10 Lee Virginia She revolted