Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-09-23


.lf you can't do thing one way. do il
another"
every muscle in his body seemed 10
cry out against being moved. Never
theless he persisted and at last sue
ceeded in putting on his clothes. even
his shoes. though he found tying the
laces the hardest task of all, and he
was at the wash basin bathing his face
and hands when Berrie hurriedly re
entered. Some tourists are coming"
she announced in an excited tone "A
party of five or six people. woman
among them, is just coming down the
slope. Now, who do you suppose it can
be? 1t would be just our luck if il
should turn out TO be some one from
the mill"
He OWNED at once the reason for her
dismay. The visit of a 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 cavalcade.
which the keen eyes of the girl had
detected as il 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. a 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 10 the elbow. dis
closed shapely brown arms. and her
neck. bare TO her bosom. was equally
sun smit. but she was so round cheek
ed. so childshly 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 I'm in the service
now
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
askr"
I'm here as guide TO Mr. Moore
Mr. Moore. this is Norcross. one of
McFarlane's men Mr.. Moore is con-
nected with the tie camp operations of
the railway"
Moore was a tall. thin man with
gray beard and keen blue eyes
where's McFarIane? We were 10
meet him here. Didn't be come over
with your
ave started together, but the horses
got away and he was obliged 10 20
back after them He also is likely TO
turn up soon"
Il am frightfully hungry interrupt
ed the girl. 4CaD't You hand me out a
hunk Of bread aud meat2 We've been
riding sipce daylight q. 'ssss''
BeFrie suddenly APPEARED at the door.
Sure thing" she called out "Slide
down and sQGe Ill
Moore removed his hat and bowed
Good morning, Miss McFarlane.
didn't know sou were here You know
my daughter Siona Z" -., - q. i.'-''--
Berrie nodded coidly. I've met her"
He Indicated the other woman And
Mrs. Belden, of course. YOU know
Mrs Beldcn. the fourth member OF
the party, a middle aged, rather ilabby
person. just being eased down from
her horse. turned ON Berrie with "A bat.
terry OF questions. Good Lord. Der
RE McFarlane. what are you doing over
IN this forsaken hole? Where's your
dad? And where is Tony? If Cliff
had known you was over here he'd
have come too"
Berrie retained her self possession.
Come in and get some coffee. and
wen straighten things out"
Apparently Mrs. Belden did not
know that Cliff and Berrie had quar-
relied. for she treated the girl with ma
ternal familiarity. She was a good ma.
tured. well intentioned old sloven. but
a most renowned tattler. and the girl
feared her more than she feared any
other woman In the valley. She had
always avoided her. but she showed
nothing OF this dislike at the moment
Wayland drew the younger woman's
attention by saying. Its plain that
you. like myself. do not belong to these
parts, Miss Moore"
what makes you think soY' she
brightly queried.
"Your costume is too appropriate.
Haven't you noticed that the women
who live out here carefully avoid con-
venient and artistic dress? Now, your
outfit is precisely what they should
wear and don't"
This amused her II know, but they
all say they have to wear out their