Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-01-13
Ike the men ont here


them" he answered. My being here
is quite logical. | went into the cattle
business like many another. and
went broke. served under Colonel
Roosevelt In the Cuban war and after
my term was out naturally drifted
back. love the wilderness and have
some natural taste for forestry. and
can ride and pack horse as well as
most cowboys; hence my uniform.
I'm not the best forest ranger in the
service, I'll admit, but l fancy I'm a
fair average"
And that is your badge-the pine
treeT'
Yes. and am proud Of It. Some Of
the fellows are not. but so far as am
concerned | am glad to be known as a
defender df the forest. 4 tree means
much to me. never mark one for
telling without a sense Of responsible
ity to the future"
Her questions came slowly. like
those of a child. Where do you live?"
Directly up the South Fork about
twenty miles"
What do you do?''
He smiled. Not much. / ride the
trails, guard the game. put out fires.
scale lumber, burn brush. build bridges,
herd cattle, count sheep. survey land
and few other odd chores. It's sup
posed to be a soft snap, but l can't
see it that way"
do you live alone"
"Yes, for the larger part of the time.
have an assistant, who is with me
during part Of the summer months
Mostly | am alone. However. | am
supposed to keep open house, and
catch visitor now and then"
DO you expect to do this always?"
He smiled again. There you touch
my secret spring. | have the hope Of
being chief forester some time-l mean
we all have the prospect Of promotion
to sustain US. The service is so new
that any one with even a knowledge
Of forestry is in demand. By and by
real foresters will arise"
She returned abruptly to her own
problem. Il dread to go back to my
mother, but | must. Oh, how | hate
that hotel. | loathe the flies. the
smells, the people that eat there. the
waiters-everything" She shuddered.
Many of the evils you mention
could be reformed. except. Of course,
some Of the people who come to eat.
fear several Of them have gone be-
yond reformation"
AS they started back down the street
she saw the motor stage Just leaving
the door of the office. That settles
one question" she said. 81 can't get
away till tomorrow"
Where would you go II you broke
camp-back to the eastT'
NO. My mother thinks there is a
place for me In Sulphur City"
Your case interests me deeply.
wish | could advise you to stay. but
this is a rough town for a girl like
you. Why don't you talk the problem
over with the supervisors" His voice
became firmer. Mrs. Redheld is the
very one to help you"
Where does she liveW
Their ranch lies just above Sui
phur, at the mouth Of the canyon.
May tell him what you've told me?
He's a good sort, is Redf1eld-much
better able to advise than am"
Cavanagh found himself enjoying
the confidence Of this girl so strangely
thrown into his care, and the curious
comment Of the people in the street
did not disturb him except as it bore
upon his companions position In the
town.
AT the door Of the hotel some half a
dozen men were clustered. AS the
young couple approached they gave
way, but short, powerful man. whom
Lee Virginia recognized as Gregg. the
sheepman. called to the ranger:
81 want to see you before you leave
town. Mr.. Ranger"
VERY well. shall be here all the
forenoon" answered Cavanagh in the
tone Of a man accepting a challenge.
Then. turning to the girl. he said ear
nestly: II want to help you. shall
be here for lunch. and meanwhile l
wish you would take Redfield into
your confidence. He's wise old boy.
and everybody knows him. No one
doubts his motives. Besides. he has
family and is rich and unhurried.
Would you like me to talk with him"
If you will. l want to do right.
Indeed, do"
Pm sure of that" he said. with
eyes upon her flushed and quivering
face. There's a way out believe
mob