Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-02

said: Nov, you fellows have got ia
treat Mr.. Norcross right He's been
very sick"
Frank malIciously grinned. "oh. well
treat him right. We won't do thing
to himw
NOW, Frank" she warned. "if you
try any Of your tricks on him you'll
hear from me-" 'l
"Wby all this worry on your part?"
he asked keenly. How long since you
found himY'
The girl herself did not understand
the vital and almost painful interest
which this young man had reused In
her. He was both child and poet TO her.
and as she watched him trying to make
friends with the men, her Indignation
rose against their clownish offishness.
81 don't feel right In leaving you
here" she said at last, "but must be
ridln'." And while Meeker ordered
her horse brought out she walked to
the gate with Norcross at her side.
I'm tremendously obliged to you."
he said, and his voice was vibrant.
"You have been most kind. How can
repay your
"0h, that's all right" she replied, In
true western fashion. ~ wanted to
see the folks up here, anyhow 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 so she rode away. leaving her
ward to adjust himself to bis new and
strange surroundings as best he could,
and with her going the whole valley
darkened for the convalescent.
1t was soon apparent to the eastern
observer that the entire male popula-
tlon for thirty miles around not only
knew McFarlane's girl, but that every
unmarried mainland some who were
both husbands and fathers-kept a
deeply Interested eye upon her daily
motion, and certain shameless ones
openly boasted among their fellows of
their intention to win her favor, while
the shy ones reveled in secret exulta-
tion over every chance meeting with
her. She was the topic Of every lum-
Der camp and the shining lure Of ey-
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 week Norcross found
himself restless and dlscontented with
the Meekers. He was 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 dlsgusted
him. The one person who plqued 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 conyaIescent, and
on Sunday morning he decided to ven
ture a call, although Frank Meehcr
had said the ranger was "grouch."
His cabin, neat log structure, stood
just above the road on huge natural
terrace Of grassy powders, and the
dag which tiuttered from tall stafl
before It could be seen for several
miles, the bright sign Of federal con.
troll, the 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 Wayiand
almost as much as the garden. II
was built OF pine logs neatly matched
and hewed on one side.
The ranger, spurred and betted, with
his cuffs turned back, was pounding
the typewriter when Wayland appear
ed at the open door, but he rose with
grave courtesy. "Come in" he said
and his voice had Il pleasant infection.
"rm lnterruptlng"
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 allen.
wayland, with something Of the feel
ing OF civilian reporting to an officer,
explained his presence In the nelghbor'
hood
"l'yo heard OF YOU" responded the
ranger "and 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
we'll"
Again Wayland protested that he was
not consumptlve. only student who
needed mountain air, but he added. "Il
is very kind OF Miss McFarlane d