Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-29

said, Yes, a son. You should have
seen how that Moore girl changed her
tune the moment be 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 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 yon
mustn't fix your mind on keeping him
! here" -
"a girl can't help fixing her mind.
daddy"
"Or changing It," He smiled 1T
tie. "You used to like Cliff. You liked
him we'll enough to promise to marry
| him"
II know l did. But I despise him
! now"
poor Cliff: But the thing we've got
to guard against Is old lady Beldeu's
tongue. She and that Belden gang
| have 1t In for me. and nil that has
| kept them from open war has been
Cliffs relationship to you. They'll
take a keen delight in making the
worst Of all this camping business"
McFarlaue was now very grave. ~
| wish your mother was here this min.
ute. l guess we had better cut out this
timber cruise and 80 right back"
mo. you mustn't do that. That
would only make more talk. Go on
with your plans. III 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 uneusily. Its all mighty
risky business, and it's my fault.
should never have permitted you to
start on this trip"
Don't yon 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 |
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 be spoke it was in his usual
hxA
began. with candid infection. ~ am
very sorry to say it. but wish you
and my daughter had never started
on this trip"
II know what you mean. supervisor
and | feel rs you do about It. OF
course none Of us foresaw any such
complication as this. but now that we
the best Of 1t. 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 be felt melted away. ut,
no use saying IT," he remarked al
length. "What we've got to meet Is
Seth Belden's report-Berrie has cu
loose from Cliff, and he's red headed
already. When he drops on to this
story. when he learns that I had to
chase back after the horses and that
you and Berrie were 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
chance to get me, and they're mean
enough to get me through my girl
What can doy' asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered. "1'l try tc
head off Marin Belden and Ill have o
talk with Moore. He's pretty rea.
sonable chap
But you forget there's another tale
bearer. Nloore's daughter is with
them" =
That's so. I'd forgotten her. Good
x Lord. we are in for it! There's no
use trying to cover anything up
Here was the place for Norcross to
speak up and say, "Never mind. I'm
going to ask Berrie to be my Wife"
But he couldn't do it. Something rose
in his throat which prevented speech.
a strange repugnance, kind Of sui.
len resentment ut being forced into Il
declaration kept him silent. and Nc.
Farlane. disappointed. wondering and
hurt. kept silence also.
Norcross was the first to speak. lot
course those who know your daughter
will not listen for an instant to the
story Of an unclean old thing like Mrs.
Belden."
I'm not so sure about that" re.
piled the father gloomily. people al.
ways listen to such stories, and a girl
always gets the worst Of a situation
like this. Berries been brought up to
take care of herself, and she's kept
clear of criticism so far, but with Cliff
on edge and this old rip shopping
around"- His mind suddenly changed.
your being the son of n rich man
won't help any. Why didn't you tell
me who you were?"
II didn't think it necessary. What
difference does 1t make? I have moth.
ing to do with my fathers business
His notions of forest speculation are
not mine."
1T would have made a difference
with me. and 1t might have made a