New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1912-02-14

toward the lonely woman in q new
rush Of tenderness. Now that she was
released from the necessity of excusing
her mothers faults-faults she could
now ignore-now that she could look
upon her as loyal friend. she was
moved to pity and to love, and. rising.
she went to her and put her arms
about her neck and said: '"rhis won't
make any difference. l am going to
stay with you and help you just the
| same"
The tears came to the old woman's
eyes. and her voice broke as she re-
piled: Il knew you would say that,
Lee Virginia. but all the same don't
intend to have you do any such thing.
You've got to cut loose from me alto.
gether. because some fine chap is 60
ing to come along zone Of these days.
and he won't want me even as step
mother-in-law. No; I have decided that
you and me had better live apart. I'll
get you place to live up in Sulphur.
where l can visit you now and again,
but guess am elected to stay right
here in the Fork. They don't like me.
and don't like them. but have kind
Of got used to their ways of looking at
me sidewise. They don't matter as
much as it would up there in the CITY,"
Lee turned back wistfully toward
the story of her mother. where did
my mother meet my father? Do you
know that?'
mo, l don't. It was a runaway
match. Ed said. l never did know
who her folks were, only know they
thought she was marrying the wrong
man."
The girl sighed as her mind took in
ing to this wild country, leaving all
that she knew and loved behind.
"Poor little mother! 1t must have
been very hard for her."
Il am afraid she did have a hard
time, for Ed admitted to me that he
hadn't so much as saddle when he
landed in the state. He hadn't much
when I met him first, but everybody
liked him. He was one Of the hand
soonest men that ever jumped sad
die. But he was close mouthed. You
never could get anything out Of him
that he didn't want to tell, and I was
never able to discover what he had
been doing in the southern part of the
state"
As she pondered on her changed re-
lationship to Lie, Lees heart light
ened. It would make a difference to
Ross. It would make difference to
the Redfelds. Traitorous as it SEEM
ed, it was great relief, joy, to
know that her own mother-her real
mother-had been mice" "She must
have been nice or Lie would not have
said so." she reasoned, recalling that
her stepmother had admitted her feel
ing Of jealousy.
At last Lie rose "Well, now, dearie,
reckon We had better turn in. 1t
Is getting chilly and late"
As they were about to part at the
door of the tent Virginia took Lies
face between her hands. r'e3 ood night
mother" she said and kissed her to
show her that what she had said
would not make any difference.
But Lie was not deceived. This
unwonted caress made perfectly plain
to her the relief which filed the girls
heart.
Lee Virginia was awakened some
hours later by a roaring, cracking
sound and by the fare Of yellow
light upon her tent Peering out, she
saw flames shooting up through the
roof of the rangers cabin. while be-
side it, wrapped in blanket, calmly
contemplating It, stood Cavanagh with
folded arms. A little nearer to the
bridge Redfeld was sitting upon an
upturned box. ..-.
With cry of alarm she aroused her
mother, and Lie. heavy eyed, laggard
with sleep. rose slowly and peered out
at the scene with eyes Of dull amaze
ment. "Why don't they try to put it
outY she demanded as she took In the
import Of the passive figures.
Dressing with tremulous haste, Lee
stepped from the tent just in time to
see Swenson come from behind the
burning building and join the others
In silent contemplation Of the scene.
There. was something uncanny in the
calm inaction Of the three strong men.
Slowly. wonderingly, the girl drew
near and called to, Cavanagh, who
turned quickly. crying out: Don't
come too close and don't be frighten-
ed. set the place on nre myself.
The poor old herder died last night
and IL decently buried In the earth.
! and now we are burning the cabin and
every thread 1t contains to prevent the
spread Of the plague Hugh and Sven
con have divided their garments with
me, and this blanket which wear II
my only coat All that l have IL In
that cabin now going up in smoke
my guns, pictures. everything"
"HoW could you do it2' she cried