Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-23

very sorry to say It. but ! wish you
and my daughter had never started
on this trip ~
II know what you mean. supervisor.
and feel as you do about It. OF
course none Of us foresaw any such
complication as this, but now that we
are snarled up in It wen have to make
the best Of It. No one of US is 10
blame 1t was all accidental"
The youths frank words and bis
sympathetic voice disarmed McFar-
lane completely. Even the slight re-
sentiment he felt melted away. "It's
no use saying IT," he remarked at
length. s"What we've got to meet Is
Seth Belden's report-Berrie has cut
loose from 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 and. Berrie were alone together
for three days, he'll have a fine club
to swing. and he'll swing it, and Alec
will help him. They're oil waiting
chance to get me, and they're mean
enough to get me through my girl"
what can l doT asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered. "I'll try to
head Off Marin Belden and I'll have
talk with Moore. He's a pretty rea-
sonable chap"
But you forget there's another tale
bearer. Moore's daughter is with
them"
That's so. I'd forgotten her. Good
Lord, we are In for it! There's no
use trying to cover anything up"
Here was the place for Norcross to
speak up and say, Never mind, I'm
going to ask Berrie to be my wife"
But he couldn't do 1t. Something rose
in his throat which prevented speech.
A strange repugnance, kind of sui
len resentment at being forced into
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
VIII 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 Girl
always gets the worst of a situation
like this Berries been brought up to
take care of herself. and she's kept
clear of criticism so far, but with Cliff
on edge and this old rip snooping
around His mind suddenly changed.
Your being the son of a rich man
won't help any. Why didn't you tell
me who you were?"
II didn't think 1t necessary. What
difference does it make? have moth.
Ing to do with my fathers business.
His notions Of forest speculation are
not mine"
1T would have made a difference
with me, and It might have made a
difference with Berrle. She mlghtnt
have been so free with you at the start
If shed known who you were You
looked sick and kind Of lonesome, and
that worked on her sympathy"
II was sick and was lonesome, and
she has been very sweet and lovely to
me, and 1t breaks my heart to think
that her Kindness and your friendship
should bring all this trouble and sus-
plclon upon her. Let's go up to the
Moore camp and have it out with them.
I'll make any statement you think
best"
II reckon the less said about It the
better" responded the older man, "I'm
going up to the camp, but not to talk
about my daughter"
How can you help 1t? 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 in his manner re-
vealed the fact that the situation had
not improved.
"They forced me into corner" he
said peevishly. "I lied out of one night
but they know that you were here last
night. OF course they were respectful
enough so long as had an eye on
them, but their tongues are wagging
now"
AS bedtime drew near Settle took a
blanket and went to 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 aoor than either
Of u.s."
This was perfectly true; but, in spite
of his bruised and aching body, the
youth would gladly have taken her
place beside the stove 1t 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 In all her life. She acknowl-
edged that Slona Moore was prettier
and that she stood more nearly on
Wayland's plane than herself, but the
realization OF this fact did not bring