The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-01-28
s. Ranger
BY HAMLIN GARLAND
CopyriGht. 1910. BY Hamlin Garland

sAV nuPShN AcOt uHuOhuS III
Lee Virginia wondered about all this
supervision, for 1t was new TO her.
Gregg, the sheepman, went on: AS
l tell RedHeld, don't object to the
forest policy-its good thing for me;
l get my sheep pastured cheaper than
l 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 OF 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. "Pm for whatever will pay
best. Just now, with high tariff,
sheep are the boys. So long as l can
get on the reserve at cents head
lambs free-rm 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 violent discussion arose
over the question of the right Of a
sheepman to claim FIRST grass for his
nocks, and Gregg boosted that he cared
nothing for 1.-The dead line" They've
tried to run me out Of Deer Greek, but
I'm there to stay. I have 10000 more
nj n tka shos IL
stop me will And 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 refurblshed and deeper
sunk In trees, Lee Virginia rode, re-
calling the wild night when 800 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 a
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 n faded sign, The
Wetherford House." and the other in
fresher paint, "The Wetherford Cafe"
On the sidewalk group of Indians
were sitting. and half dozen SLOUGH
ing white men stood waiting Mt the
door.
As Lee went past the hotel porch
her heart beat hard and her breath
shortened. In fash she OWNED the
truth. She understood why her moth
err 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 n squalid little den 1t was!
How cheap, bald and petty the whole
town seemed of a sudden! 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 filed
with the odor OF ham and bad coffee.
| NJ tht VI blttth nth hlol
ley tbrong, We're busily feeding their
voracious jaws, and on her left, behind
a 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
me?"
A look Of surprise went over the
older womans tiabby face-a glow
which brought back something Of hel
other self, as she cried, "Why, Lee
virginny, where did you come from
The boarders stopped chewing and
stared In absorbed interest, while Vir
ginia kissed her blowsy mother.
"By the Lord, It's little Virginny!
said ono dc fellow. ITS her daugh
ter"
~ y - a mptter of establishment
aINL 20 the waiter girls, giggling
~ and enS ious, paused, theiI
80 u land. TO exchange comment
~ tomer's hat and gown. A
:hc washing sink I'm the
appended his face polishing
.,Iped over his shoulder in silent
.-stasy. Some of the men came for
ward TO greet her, and, though she haC
some difficulty In recognizing one OF
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 a narrow hal
into small bedroom, into which th'
western sunset fell. II was n labby
place, but as a refuG from the GROVE
in the restaurant It was grateful.
Lie looked at her daughter critical
ly. 81 don't know what I'm going 4
do with a girl like you. Why, you're
purty-purty as picture. You wer'
skinny as child. I'm fair dazed
Great snakes, how you have opened
outl You're the living image Of you