Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-06

done me any real harm. It's all In the
days work anyhow. I've always gone
with daddy before. and this trip isn't
going to spoil me, The boys all know
me, and they will treat me fair"
"Yes, but Mr.. Norcross Is an outsid-
er, city man. They will all think
evil Of him on that account"
II know. That's what troubles me.
No one will know how fine and con-
siderate he was. Mother. I've never
known any one like him. Hes a poetI
| don't care what people say OF me If
only they will be just to him. They've
got to treat him right" she added
firmly.
did he speak to you-are you en-
gaged"
Her head dropped. "Not really en-
gagged, mother, but he told me how
much he liked me, and-it's all right,
mother, know 1t is. I'm not fine
enough for him, but I'm going to try
to change my ways so he won't be
ashamed of me-"
Mrs. McFarlane's face cleared. "He
surely is q fine young fellow and can
be trusted to do the right thing. Well,
we might as we'll go to bed We can't
settle anything till your father gets
home," she said.
Wayland rose next morning free from
dizziness and almost free from pain,
and when he came out of his room his
expression was cheerful. II feel as II
I'd slept week, and FIN hungry.
don't know why should be. but am"
Mrs. McFarlane met him with some
thing very intimate, something almost
maternal In her look, but her words
were as few and as restrained as ever.
He diyined that she had been talking
with Berrie and that fairly clear un.
derstanding Of the situation had been
reached. That this understanding in
volyed him closely he was aware, but
nothing In his manner acknowledged 1t.
She did not ask any questions, be-
ieving that sooner Or'later the whole
story must come out. The feet that
Slona Moore and Mrs. Belden knew
that Berrle had started back on Thurs
day with young Norcross made It easy
for the villagers to discover that she
had not reached the ranch till Satur.
day. What could Joe have been think.
Ing of to allow them to go2" she said
Mr.. Nash's presence in the camp must
be made known, but then there Ia Cliff
ford's assault upon Mr.. Norcross, Can
that be kept secret tooT' And so while
the young people ohatted the troubled
mother waited in fear, knowing that
In day or two the countryside would
be afame with accusation, o,,. ,e,t
A long days rest, second nights
sleep. set Wayland on his feet. He
came to breakfast quite gay Barring
the hickory nut on the back OF my
head" he explained, "l'm, feeling Ape.
almost ready for another expedition
| may make ranger yet"
Berrie, though equally gay, was not
so sure of his ability to return to
work. II reckon you'd better 20 easy
till daddy gets back, but IL you feel
like 1t Wen ride up to the postoffice
this afternoon"
II want to start right In to learn to
throw that hitch, and I'm going to
practice with an ak till can strike
twice In the same place. This trip
was an eye opener. Great man I'd be
In windfall, wouldn't II"
He was persuaded TO remain very
quiet for another day, and part of 1t
was spent In conversation with Mrs.
McFarlane, whom he liked very much,
and an hour or more In writing long
letter wherein he announced to his ia
ther his intention OF going into the
forest service. 1--WE got to build up
constitution" he said, "and | don't
know of Il better place to do II in, Be.
sides, I'm beginning TO be interested
In the scheme. l like the supervisor.
I'm living In his house at the present
time, and I'm feeling contented and
happy 50 don't worry about me-"
He was indeed quite comfortable,
save when he realized that Mrs Me
Farlane was taking altogether too
much for granted In their relationship.
II was delightful to beso watched over,
so waited upon, so Instructed. But
where Is It all Leading me2" he con.
tlnued to ask himself and still that
wall Of reserve troubled and saddened
Berrle.
On the fourth morning the phone
rang, and the squawlSIng voice Of Mrs,
Belden came over the wlre--"l wanted
TO know IL Berrle and her feller got
home all rightf"
"Ies, they arrived safely"
The old woman chuckled. last
see Of Clllf he was hot on their trail
looked like he expected to take n hand In
that expedition. Did he oyertake emp
81 don't hear very we'll Where are
your"
I'm at the Scott ranch. We're com
Ing round the horn today"
where IL the SUPERVISOR
Gle headed across yesterday Say,
Cllff was mad as n hornet when he
started. I'd like to know what hap.
pened"--
Mrs. McFarlone hung up the receiver.
The old wom0n's nasty chuckle was In.
tolerable, but In sIlenclng the phone
Mrs McFarlane was perfectly aware
that she wng NOT allaneInn the uosain.