Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-24
CHAPTER XVII.
q Matter CT Dress.

VA on as they stepped off at the
wv hotel, Il am in command Of
this expedition. From this
on | lead this outfit When it comes
to hotels, railways and the like O that
I'm head ranger"
Mrs. McFarlane, tired, hungry and
little dismayed, accepted his control
gladly, but Berrie could not at once
slip aside her responsibility. "Tell the
hostler"-
Not a wOrd.' commanded NOrcrOSS,
and the girl, with a smile submitted to
his guidance, and thereafter his eff
cheney, his self possession, his tact de-
lighted her. He persuaded the sullen
landlady to get them supper. He Sc
cured the best rooms in the house and
arranged for the care of the team.
Berrie was CORRESPONDENCE less mas
culine. In drawing off her buckskin
driving gloves she had put away the
cowgirl and was silent a little sad
even in the midst of her enjoyment of
his dictatorship. And when he said,
IF my father reaches Denver in time
1 want you to meet him." she looked
the dismay she felt.
III do it. but I'm scared of him"
"You needn't be. I'll see him first
and draw his fire.
Mrs, McFarlane interposed. I'VE
must do a little shopping first. We
cant meet your father as we are"
Very well. 1t is arranged. We get in
find, about noon. Wen go straight
to the biggest shop in town. If we
work with speed We'll be able to lunch
with my father. He'll be at the Pal
mer House at l."
Berrie said nothing, either in accent
ance or rejection Of his plan. Her
mind was concerned with new conceD-
lions, new relationships. and when in
the hall he took her face between his
hands and said. "Cheer III. All is not
AoSt! she put her arms about his
neck and laid her cheek against his
breast to hide her tears. "Oh, Wav-
tand, III such an idiot in the city, I'm
afraid your father will deSpise me-"
She woke to n Lew life next morn
1ng-a life If compliance. Of following.
OF dependence Unpn the judgment of
another. She stood in silence while
her lover paid the bills. bought the
tickets and tclc l~phpl their coming 70
his father She a9.UicSccd when he
prevented her neither from telephOn.
ing to the ran h. She COMPLIED when
ne countc!nandcd pnr order to have
the team sen, lack IT once. His tudg-
ment ruled. ana she enjoyed her sud
den freedom from responsibility. 1t
was novel. and it WAS very sweet to
think that she was being cared for as
she had cared for and shielded him in
the world Of the trail.
in the railway coach Wayland tact
fully withdrew. leaving mother and
daughter to discuss clothes undisturb-
ed by his presence.
1--WE must look our best. honey" said
Mrs. McFarlane. I'VE will 20 right
to Nine. Crosby at Battles, and she'll
fit us out. | wish we had more time,
but we haven't, so we must do the
best we can"
Il want Wayland to choose my hat
and travelling suit" replied Berrfe.
"Of course. But you've got to have
a lot of other things besides" And
they bent to the joyous work of max
ing out list of goods to be purchased
as soon as they reached Chicago.
Wayland came back with a Denver
paper In his hand and a look of dis
gust on his face. Its all in here-a
least, the outlines of it"
Berrie took the journal and Their
read the details of Settles assault
upon the foreman. THE fight aros
from remark concerning the fores
supervisors daughter. Ranger Settl
resented the gossip and fell upon tn
other man, beating him with the but
of his revolver. Friends of the fore
man claim that the ranger is a drunk
Ell bully and should have been dis
charged long ago. The supervisor 70
some mysterious reason retains thi
man, although he is an incompetent
1t is also claimed that McFaTlane pu
a man on the roll without eXamina
ton" The supervisor was the protag
Onist of the play which was plainl.
political. The attack upon him wa
bitter and unjust, and Mrs. McFar
lane again declared her intention o
returning to help him in his fight
However, Wayland again proved to he
that her presence would only embaI
rass the supervisor. You would no
aid him in the slightest degree. Mas
and Landon are with him and will re
flute all these charges"
This newspaper story took the ligh
out of their day and the smile fror
Berries lips, and the women entere
the city silent and distressed in SPIT
of the effo@,S Of their young guide
The nearer the girl came to the ordea
of facing the elder Norcross the NOR
she feared the outcome, but Waylan
kept his air Of easy confidence an
drove them directly to the shoppin
center, believing that under the Unfit
ence of hats and gloves they would rt
gain their customary cheer.
In this he was largely justified. The
had delightful hour trying on mi
linery and coats and gloves.
Silent, blushing, tousled by the hand