Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-06
CHAPTER XIV.
WayIand Hears From Homo.

was dlhOsL noon OF tue r0uftn
day when the supervisor called
up to say that he was at the Of
- flee aud would reach the ranch at
6 o'clock.
II wish you would come home at
once" his wife argued, and something
In her voice convinced him that he was
more needed at home than in the town
"All right, mother. Hold the fort an
hour, and I'll be there"
Mrs. McFarlane met him at the hitch
ing bar, and 1t required but glance
for him to read in her face a troubled
state of mind.
"This has been disastrous trip for
Berrie," she said after one of the
hands had relieved the supervisor Of
his horse.
"In what way?"
She was bit impatient. "Mrs. Bel
den is filing the valley with the story
Of Berries stay in camp with Mr.. Nor
cross"
AAAo hoNG ShOnCu SiuNcl lluc. IL
couldn't be helped. The horses had to
be followed, and that youngster could
not do 1t, and, besides, expected to
get back that night. Nobody but an
old snoop like Seth Belden would think
evil Of our girl, and, besides, Norcross
Is man TO be trusted"
"Of course he is, but the Beldens are
ready to think evil of any one connect
ed with us. And Cliffs assault on
Wayland"-
He looked up quickly. Assault
Did he make troubleT
eyes. He overlook them on the trail
and would have killed Norcross If Ber-
rie hadn't interfered. He was crazy
with jealousy
"Nash didn't say anything about any
assault"
"He didn't know 1t. Berrie told him
that Norcross fell from his horse"
Good Godl never suspected a
word of this. didn't think he'd do
that" '' :'"
He fixed another penetrating look
upon her face, and his voice was VI
brant with anxiety as he said "You
don't think there's anything wrong2"
mo, nothing wrong, but she's pro
foundly in love with him. never
have seen her so wrapped up in any
one. She thinks of nothing else. 1t
scares me to see 1t, for I've studied
him closely and can't believe he feels
the same toward her. His world Is 50
different from ours. don't know
what TO do or say. fear she Is In
for period Of great unhappiness,"
The return of the crew from the
corral cut short this conference. and
when McFarlane went in Berrie greet
ed him with such frank and joyous ex-
preston that all his fears vanished.
"Did you come over the high trailY'
she asked.
mo, came your way. didn't
want to take any chances of getting
mlred. It's still raining up there" he
answered.; then turned to Wayland
Here's your mail, Norcross, a whole
hatful of it-and one telegram in the
bunch. Hope 1t isn't serious"
Wayland took the bundle Of letters
and retired TO his room, glad to escape
the persistent stare of the cowhands
The dispatch was from his father and
was curt and specific as command:
"Shall be In Denver on the 23d. Meet
me at the Palmer House. Am on my
way to California. Come prepared to
join me on the trip"
With the letters unopened In his lap
he sat In silent thought, profoundly
troubled by the instant decision which
this message demanded OF him. At
tlrst glance nothing was simpler than
to pack up and go. He was only u
tourist In the valley, with no intention
Of staying, but there was Bereal To
go meant violent end OF their pleas
ant romance. 10 think of flght sad
dened him, and yet his better Judg
ment was clearly on the side Of going
"Much as like her, much as | admire