Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-09-30

Don't you worry about me. daddy.
I'll pull through somehow. Anybody
that knows me will understand how
little there is in-in old lady Belden's
CAB. I've had a beautiful trip. and
won't let her nor anybody else spoil II
for me-"
Wayland was down on the bridge
leaning over the rail listening TO the
song OF the water
McFarlane approached grayely. but
when he spoke II was in his usual
soft monotone. ''Nir Norcross." he
began. with candid infection. ~ am
very sorry 10 say II. but | wish you
and my daughter had never started
on this trip
II know what you mean. supervisor
and feel ms you do about IT, or
course none OF MS foresaw any such
complication rs this. but now that we
are snarled up I'm il Wen have TO make
the best OF H. No one OF us is 10
blame II was all accidental"
The youths frank words and his
sympathetic voice disarmed McFar-
lane completely. Even the slight re-
continent he felt melted away. ITS
- use saying IT," he remarked at
tngth. What we've got TO meet Is
sern Belden's report-Berrie has cut
loose frosn Cliff, and he's red headed
already. When he drops on TO this
story, When he learns that / had TO
chase back after the horses and that
YOU ana Berrie were alone together
fs three days, he'll have "A fine club
to Swing, and he'll swing it, and Alec
will help him. They're all waiting
chance to get me. and they're mean
enough to get me through my girl"
what can | do?" asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered. III try TO
head OFF Marin Belden and I'll have a
talk with Moore. He's a pretty rea-
sonable chap"
But you forget there's another tale
bearer. Moores daughter Is with
them"
That's so. I'd forgotten her. Good
Lord, we are i'm for IL, There's. no
use trying to cover anything up"
Here was the place for Norcross 10
speak up and say, Never mind. I'm
going 10 ask Berrie 10 he my wife ="
But he couldn't do il. Something rose
in his throat which prevented speech
a strange repugnance. a kind Of sui
len resentment at being forced into "A
declaration kept him silent. and Nc
Farlane disappointed. wondering and
hurt. kept silence also.
Norcross was the first to speak. "Of
course those who know your daughter
will not listen for an instant TO the
story Of an unclean old thing like Mrs.
Belden."
I'm not so sure about that" re-
piled the father gloomily. People al
ways listen TO such stories. and IA girl
always gets the worst of situation
like this Berries been brought up 10
take care Of herself. and she's kept
clear OF criticism so far. but with Clifr
on edge and this old rip shopping
around His mind suddenly changed.
Your being the son Of rich man
won't help any Why didn't you tell
me who you were?"
II didn't think il necessary What
difference does il make? / have moth
ing to do with my fathers business.
His notions OF forest speculation are
not mine"
1T would have made difference
with me. and it might have made a
difference with Berrie. She mightn't
have been so free with you at the start
If she'd known who you were. You
looked sick and kind OF lonesome. and
that worked on her sympathy"
Il was sick and was lonesome. and
she has been very sweet and lovely to
me. and it breaks my heart TO think
that her kindness and your friendship
should bring all this trouble and sus-
! picion upon her Let's 20 up 20 the
Moore camp and have It out with them.
I'll make any statement You think
best
Il reckon the less said about It the
better" responded the older man. I'm
gong up to the camp. but not to talk
about my daughter"
How can you help il? They'll force
the topic"
IF they do I'll force them to let II
alone" retorted McFarlane. but he
went away disappointed and sorrow.
/ full
When the supervisor returned from
the camp something i'm his manner re.
vealed the fact that the situation had
not improved
They forced me into a corner" he
said peevishly II lied out of one night
but they know that you were here last
night. or course they were respectful
enough so long as | had an eye ON
them. but their tongues are waggnG
now"
As bedtime drew near Settle took a
! blanket and went 10 the corral and
Berrie insisted that her father and
| Wayland occupy the bunk.
Norcross protested. but the supervis
or said. Let her alone. She's better
able TO sleep on the floor than either
OF us"
This was perfectly true: but. I'm spite
OF his bruised and aching body. the
youth would gladly have taken her
place beside the stove II seemed pitt.
fully unjust that she should have this
| physical hardship in addition TO her
uneasiness of mind.
Berea suffered a restless night, the
most painful and broken she had
known i'm all her life She acknowl-