Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-09

I
plow or piled spade. His manne
was that Of the COW boss, the lord o.
great herds, the claimant Of empires
Of government grass land. Poor as hli
house looked, he was In reality rich
Narrow minded In respect to his OWL
interests, be was well In advance Of
bis neighbors on matters relating x
the general welfare, curious mixture
of greed and generosity, as most men
are, and. though ne had been made
supervisor at time when political
pull still crippled the service, he was
loyal TO the flag. 'Tm mighty glad to
see you" he heartily began. "We don't
often get a man from the sea level,
and when we do we squeeze him dry"
His voice, low, languid and soft, was
most inslnuating, and for hours he
kept his guest talking Of the east and
It's Industries and prejudlces, and Ber-
rie and her mother listened with deep
admiration, for the youngster had seen
good deal Of the old world and was
unusually well read on historical lines
Of inquiry. He talked well, too, in
spIred by his attentive audience.
Berries eyes, wide and eager, were
axed upon him. .unwayeringly. He felt
her wonder, her admiration, and was
inspired to do his best. Something In
her absorbed attention led him to speak
Of things 30 personal that be wonder
ed at himself for utterlng them.
"I've been dllettante all my life"
was one OF his confessions. "Iye tray
eled; I've studied In tepld sort Of
fashion; went through college with
out any idea Of doing anything with
what got; had sort Of pride In
keeping up with my fellows, and | had
no ideatof preparing for any work In
the world. Then came my breakdown
and my doctor ordered me out here
came Intending to fish and loaf around,
but can't do that. I've got to do
something or go back home"
At last Mrs. McFarlane rose and
Berea, reluctantly, like a child loath to
miss fairy story, held out her hand
to say good night, and the young man
saw on her face that look Of alteration
which marks the birth Of sudden love,
but his voice was frank and his glance
kindly as he said:
Here I've done all the talking when
I wanted you to tell me all sorts Of
things"
IL can't tell you anything"
"Oh, yes, you can; and, besides,
want you to lntercede for me with your
father and get me into the service.
But wel talk about that tomorrow.
Good night
After the women left the room Nor
cross said:
81 really am In earnest about enter
Ing the forest service. Landon filed
me with enthusiasm about It. Never
mind the pay. I'm not In Immediate
need OF money, but do need an inter
est In llfe."
McFarlane stared at him with kindly
perplexlty. IL don't know exactly
what you can do, but III work you In
somehow. You ought to work under
man like Settle, one that could put you
through training In the rudlments
of the game. I'll see what can DO
done"
"Thank you for that half promise"
said Wayland, and he went to his bed
happier than at any moment since
leaving home.
Young NOrcross soon became vitality
engaged with the problems which con-
fronted McF1rIane, and his possible
enrolment AZ guard liled him with
sense of proprletorshlp In tho forest,
which made him quite content with
Bear Tooth, He set to work at once
to acquire better knowledge Of the
extent and boundaries Of the reserva-
tion. IL was indeed, noble posses.
sion. Containing nearly 100000 acres
OF woodland and reaching to the sum
mits of the snow lined peaks to the
east, south and west, II appealed to
him with silent majesty. 1t drew upon
his patriotism. Remembering how the
timber Of his own state had been slash.
ed and burned, he began to feel sense
OF personal responsibility.
He bought horse OF his own. al.
though Berrle insisted upon his retain
Ing Pete, and sent for saddle Of the
army type, and from sheer desire to
keep entirely clear Of the cowboy
equipment procured puttees like those
worn by cavalry officers, and when he
presented himself completely uniform,
cd, he looked not unlike slender
young lieutenant of the cavalry on 1eld
duty, and IN Berries eyes was won.
drons allurlng
He took quarters at the hotel. but
spent larger part of each day In Bcr-
rie's company, fact which was duly
reported TO Clifford Belden. Hardly
a day passed without his taking at
least one meal at the supervisors home.
AS he met the rangers one by one
he perceived by their outfits, as well as
by their speech, that they were sharp.
ly divided upon old lines and new. The
experts, the men Of college training
We're quite ready TO bc known as I'm.
Gle SANS mcn, They held pride In
their duties, respect for their supe