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

Sure she did, but Wayland side
tracked her. OF course it only delays
things. She'll know all about it soon
er or later. She's great at putting two
and two together. Two and two with
her always make FIVE"
McFarlane unused. "Cliff will be
plumb crazy if she gets his ear first"
81 don't care anything about Cliff,
daddy. l don't care what he thinks or
does If he will only let Wayland alone"
"See here, daughter, you do seem to
be terribly interested in this tourist"
Hes the finest man I ever knew,
father"
He looked at her with tender, trust,
ing glance. HE isn't your kind, daugh.
ter. He's a nice clean boy, but he's
different He don't belong in oul
world. He's only just stopping here
Don't forget that"
I'm not forgetting that, daddy.
know he's different That's why like
him." After pause she added: "No.
body could have been nicer all through
these days than he has been. He was
like a brother"
McFarlane fixed a keen glance upon
her. 'Has he said anything to you:
Did you come to an understanding"
Her eyes fell. Not the way you
mean, daddy but | think he-likes me.
But do you know who he is? He's the
son Of W. W. Norcross. that big Mich
igan lumberman."
McFarlane started. How do you
know thaty'
Mr.. Moore asked him if he was any
relation to w. w. NOrcroSs. and he
said, Yes, Il SON You should have
seen how that Moore girl changed her
tune the moment he admitted that.
She'd been very free with him up to
that time. But when she found out
he was a rich mans son she became
as quiet and innocent as a kitten.
hate her. She's a deceitful snip"
"Well. now, daughter, that being the
case, it's all the more certain that he
don't belong to our world, and you
mustn't fix your mind on keeping him
here"
"a girl can't help fixing her mind,
daddy"
cor changing it," He smiled lit
tie. "You used to like Cliff. You liked
him we'll enough to promise to marry
him."
81 know l did But I despise him
now"
poor Cliff. But the thing we've got
to guard against is old lady Beldens
tongue. She and that Belden gang
have it in for me, and all that has
kept them from open war has been
Cliffs relationship to you. They'll
take Il keen delight in making the
worst of all this camping business"
McFarlaue was now very grave. Il
wish your mother was here this min
ute. | guess we had better cut out this
timber cruise and 90 right back"
No, you mustn't do that. That
would only make more talk. Go on
with your plans. I'll stay here with
you. 1t won't take you but couple
of days to do the work, and Wayland
needs the rest
But suppose Cliff hears of this bust
ness between you and Norcross and
comes galloping over the ridge"
"Well, let him. He has no claim on
me-"
He rose uheasily. Its all mighty
risky business, and it's my fault.
should never have permitted you to
start on this trip
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 beautiful trip, and l
won't let her nor anybody else spoil it
for me-"
Wayland was down on the bridge
leaning over the rail listening to the
song of the water
McFarlane approached gravely, but
when he spoke it was in his usual
soft monotone. Mr. Norcross," he
began, with candid infection, 81 am
very sorry to say it, but | wish you
and my daughter had never started
on this trip
81 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 we'll have to make
the best of il. No one of us is to
blame. 1t was all accidental"
The youths frank words and his
sympathetic voice disarmed McFar-
lane completely. Even the slight re-
sentiment he felt melted away. ITS
no use saying IT," he remarked at
length. 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 We're alone together
for three days, he'll have fine club
to swing, and he'll swing it, and Alec
will help him. They're all waiting
a chance to get me, and they're mean
enough to get me through my girl"
What can | do?" asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered "Ill try to
hood off Marin Belden and I'll have u