Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-16

tents WIN the men.
Truly she is different" thought Nor
cross, and yet she lost something by
reason of the display of her proficiency
as a clerk. Il wish she would leave
business to some one else" he inward
~ grumbled as he rose to go.
She looked up from her desk. Come
in again later. We may be able to
reach the mill"
He thanked her and went back to his
hotel, where he overhauled his outfit
and wrote some letters. His disgust
Of the town was lessened by the pres
ence of that handsome girl, and the
hope that he might see her at luncheon
made him impatient of the clock.
She did not appear in the dining
room, and when Norcross inquired of
Nash whether she took her meals at
the hotel or not the expert replied:
"No; she goes home. The ranch is
only few miles down the valley. Oc-
casionally we invite her, but she don't
think much of the cooking"
One of tho young surveyors put in a
word: 81 shouldn't think she would.
I'd ride ten miles any time to eat one
Of Mrs. McFarlanes dinners"
YES" agreed Nash, with a reflective
look in his eyes. "She's mighty fine
girl, and join the boys in wishing her
better luck than marrying Cliff Bel
den."
SIS it settled that wayY asked Nor
cross.
Eyes. The supervisor warned us all,
for Belden. He's a surly cuss and vio-
lently opposed to the service. His
brother is one of the prOprietors of the
Meeker mill, and they have all tried to
! bulldoze Landon, our ranger over there.
By the way, youll like Landon. He's
a Harvard man and good ranger.
His shack is only a half mile from
Meeker's house. It's a pretty well
known fact that Alec Belden is part
proprietor of saloon over there that
worries the supervisor worse than any
! thing. Cliff swears he's not connected
with it, but he's more or less sympa-
thetic with the crowd"
| Norcross, already deeply interested
in the present and future of a girl
whom he had met for the first time
only the day before, was quite ready
to give up his trip to Meeker.
EARLY on the second morning he went
to the postotfice-which was also the
telephone station-to get a letter or
message from Meeker. He found nei-
Their. But as he was standing in the
door undecided about taking the stage
Berea came into town riding fine bay
pony and leading a blaze faced buck
skin behind her.
Her face shone cordially as she call
ed out, "Well, how do you stack up
this morning"
"Tiptop," he answered, in an attempt
to match hes CHEEKY greeting.
"Do you like our town betterg"
"Not bit. But the hills are magnii-
cent"
anybody turned up from the mill?''
"No, | haven't heard word from
there. The telephone is still out of
commission
"They can't locate the break. Uncle
Joe sent word by the stage driver ask
ing us to keep an eye out for you and
send you over. I've come to take you
over myself"
That's mighty good of you, but it's a
good deal to ask"
81 want to see Uncle Joe on business
anyhow, and you'll like the ride better
than the journey by stage"
Leaving the horses standing with
their bride reins hanging on the
ground, she led the way to the office.
when father comes in tell him
where I've gone and send Mr.. Nor
cross packs by the first wagon"
you'd better take my bay" said
Berea. "Old Paintface there is little
notional."
Norcross approached his mount will
caution which indicated that he had
at least been instructed in range horse
psychology, and as he gathered his
reins together to mount, Berrie re
marked:
Il hope you're saddle WISE"
Il had a few lessons in a riding
school," he replied modestly.
Young Downing approached the CIR
with a low voiced protest. "You
oughtn't to ride old Paint. He nearly
pitched the supervisor the other day"
"Im not worried" she said an(
swung to her saddle.
The ugly beast made off in a tear
ing sidewise rush, but she smilingly
called back, "All set" And Norcross
followed her in high admiration.
Eventually she brought her broncho t.
subsection, and they trotted off togeth
er along the wagon road quite comfort
ably. BY this time the youth had for
gotten his depression, his homesick
ness of the morning. The valley was
again enchanted ground.
After Stacking along between some
rather sorry fields of grain for a mile
or two Berea swung into a side trail
Il want you to meet my mother" she
said.
The grassy road led to a long, one
story, half log, half slab house which
stood on the bank of a small, swift
willow bordered stream.
"This is our RANCH" she explained
"All the meadow in sight belongs tC
u.s."
The young easterner looked about In
establishment. Not tree bigger thar
his thumb gave shade. The gate OF