Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-01
.oh. that's ali right. she replied, ii

oh, tnat 8 ali sf1glt.'SS she replied. In
true western fashion. II wanted to
see the folks up here. any how. This
Is no jaunt at all for me-" And. look
ing at her powerful figure and feeling
the traplike grip of her cinch hand, he
knew she spoke the truth.
And 80 she rode away. leaving her
ward to adjust himself to his new and
strange surroundings as best he could
and, with her going the whole valley
darkened for the convalescentn
n. was soon apparent to the eastern
observer that the entire male popula.
ton for thirty miles around not only
knew McFarlane's girl, but that every
unmarried man-and some who were
both husbands and fathers-kept a
deeply interested eye upon her daily
motion, and certain shameless ones
openly boosted among their fellows of
their intention to win her favor. while
the shy ones reveled in secret exulta-
ton over every chance meeting with
her. She was the topic Of every lum-
Der camp and the shining lure of ev-
cry dance to which the ranch hands
often rode over long and lonely trails.
Part Of this intense interest was due.
naturally. to the scarcity OF desirable
women. but larger part was called
out by Berea's frank freedom of man
ner. Her ready camaraderie was taken
for carelessness. and the candid grip
Of her hand was often misunderstood.
and yet most Of the men respected her.
and some feared her. After her avow-
ed choice OF Clifford Belden they all
kept aloof, for he was hot tempered
and formidably swift to avenge an in
suit. .'~,
At the end OF q week Norcross found
himself restless and discontented with
the Meekers. He vas tired Of fishing.
tired Of the old mans endless argu-
ments and tired Of the, vulgar cow
hands. The men around the mill did
not interest him. and their Saturday
night spree at: the; saloon Disguised
him. Thesone person who piqued his
curiosity was .LAndon, the ranger. who
was stationed not far away and who
could be seen occasionally riding BY
on a handsome black horse. There
was something In his bearing. in, his
neat and serviceable drab uniform.
which attracted the convalescent. and
on Sunday morning he decided to ven
ture 4 call. although Frank Meeker
had said the ranger was q Crouch.
His cabin. a neat log structure. stood
Just above the road on a huge natural
terrace of grassy powders. and the
flag which duttered from a tall stan
before it could be seen for several
miles. the bright sign Of federal con-
troll: tho symbol Of law and order. just
as the saloon and the mill were signs
of lawless vice and destructive greed
Around the door flowers bloomed and
kittens played. &
The cabins interior pleased Wayland
almost as much as the garden. 1t
was built Of pine logs neatly matched
and hewed on one side. Z
The ranger, spurred and belted. With
his cuffs turned back, was pounding
the typewriter when Wayland appear
ed ut the open door, but he rose with
grave courtesy. Come in," he said
and his voice had a pleasant infection
I'm interrupting." .... 49,.
Nothing serious; just letter. There's
no hurry. I'm always glad of an ex-
cuse to rest from this job" He was
at once keenly interested in his visitor.
for he perceived in him. the gentleman
and, Of course, the alien. eszSsl >s
Wayland, with something Of the feel
ing Of civilian reporting to an officer.
explained his presence In the neighbor.
hood. &&@ - ,' &,'zy,%' -.
i've heard Of you." responded the
ranger. land I've been hoping you'd
look in ON me- The supervisors daugh-
ter has Just written me to look after
you. She said you were not very
WELL" u +st. ~. ..,. al.
Again Wayland protested that he was
not a consumptive. only q student who
needed mountain air, but he added. 1T
Is very kind Of Miss McFarlanes to
think Of me-" ~5s@}s&@s@ ~ ::
"Oh. she thinks of everybody" the
young fellow declared. shes one OF
the most unselfish creatures In the
world" r" ..4,.. 80,
Something In the music Of this
speech. and something in the look Of
the rangers eyes, caused Wayland to
wonder If here were not still another
of Berries subjects. He became Ger.
tain of it as the young officer went on.
with pleasing frankness, and it was not
long before he had conveyed to Way.
land his cause for sadness. "She's Ell.
gagged to a man that is not her equal
In q certain sense no man Is her equal.
but Belden is pretty hard type. and
II believe. although cunt prove it.
that he is part owner Of the saloon
over there" j-,,..
'How does that saloon happen to be
here?'E ~
Its on patented land--a so called
placer claim'-experts have reported
against it. McFarlane has protestei.
against It, but nothing is done. The
mill is also on decided land, and togeth-
M,