Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-08-27

He pOndered this question a moment.
SIS it tomorrow or the next week."
She laughed happily It's only the
next day"
He laid his hands together and then
felt of his pulse 81 don't seem to
limp and lazy, but I'm going to get
up, if you'll just leave the room for a
moment
Don't try it now. Wait till you have
had your breakfast. You'll feel stronger
then"
At this point came again the disturb
ing realization that this night of strug
gle and the ministrations of his brave
companion had involved him deeper in
q mesh from which honorable escape
was almost impossible The rangers
cabin, so far from being an end of
their compromising intimacy, had add
ed and was still adding to the weight
of evidence against them both. The
presence of the ranger or The super
visor himself could not now save Berea
from the gossips.
She brought his breakfast to him.
and sat beside him while he ate,
chatting the while of their good for
tune. 1t is glorious outside. and | am
sure daddy will get across today, and
Tony is certain to turn up before noon.
He probably went down to Coal City
to get his mail
Il must get up at once" he said, in
Il panic of fear and shame. The su-
/ perv!Sor must not find me laid out on
my back. Please leave me alone for a
moment"
She went out, closing the door behind
! her, and as he craWled from his bed
every muscle in his body seemed to
cry out against being moved. Never,
theless he persisted and at last sue
ceeded III putting on his clothes, even
his shoes, though he found tying the
laces the hardest task of all, and he
was ut the N%sh basin bathing his face
and hands when Berrie huIriedly re-
entered. Some tourists are coming"
she announced in an excited tone. "A
party Of five or six people, a woman
among them, is just coming down the
slope. Now, who do you suppose it can
be? 1t would be just our luck if it
should turn out to be some one from
the mill"
He OWNED at once the reason for her
dismay. The visit Of woman at this
moment would not merely embarrass
them BOTH it would torture Berrie.
"What is to be done?' he asked reused
! to alertness.
Nothing; all we can do is to stand
pat and act as if we belonged here"
VERY WELL" he replied, moving stiff
ly toward the door. Here's where
can be of some service. am an ex-
cellent white liar"
The beat Of hoofs upon the bridge
drew his attention to the cavaIcade,
which the keen eyes of the girl had
detected as it came over the ridge to the
east. The party consisted of two men
and two women and three pack horses
completely QUILTED for the trail.
One of the women, squirting her
horse to the front, rode serenely up to
where Wayland stood and called out:
Good morning! Are you the rangerT'
mo; I'm only the guard. The ranger
has gone down the trail"
He perceived at once that the speak
er was an alien like himself, for she
wore tan colOred riding boots, di-
vided skirt of expensive cloth and II
jaunty, wide trimmed sombrero She
looked indeed precisely like the hero
inc of the prevalent western drama.
Her sleeves, rolled to the elbow, dis
closed shapely brown arms, and her
neck. bare to her bosom, was equally
sun smit, bur she was 50 round cheek
ed, so childishly charming, that the
most critical observer could find no
fault with her makeup.
One of the men rode up Hello,
NOrcrOss. What are you doing over
here?'
The youth smiled blandly. Good
morning, Mr.. Belden. I'm serving my
apprenticeship. Pm in the service
low"
THE mischief you are!" exclaimed
the other Where's Tony?"
Gone for his mail. He'll return soon
What are You doing over here, may
ask"
I'm here as guide to Mr.. Moore
Mr.. Moore, this is NOrcross, one OF
McFarane's men. Mr. Moore l.; con
nected with the tie camp opera .onS OF
the railway"
Moore was tall, thin man with i
gray beard and keen blue eyes
where's McFarlane? We We're tC
with your
I'VE started together. but the horses
got away, and he was obliged to g
back after them. He also is likely tC
turn up soon"
81 am frightfully hungry" interrupt
ed the girl. Cant you hand me out {
hunk Of bread and meat? We've beer
,iding since daylight"
Eorrie suddenly appeared at tie door
Sure thing" she called out. Slide
down and come in"
Moore removed his hat and bowed
Good morning, Miss Mcl'arlane.
didn't know you were here. You know
~ daughter SionaY"
Beirie nodded coidly. i've met her.
He indicated the other woman. "Ant
Mrs Belden, of course you know
, Mrs. Belden, the fourth member 0
+ha nortv a mid1ln npad rather Hu nh,