Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-09-30

SYNOPSIS
Copyright. 1914. by tiamlin Garland

Wayland Norcross, an eastern youth
seeking health in Colorado, meets Ber-
ca McFarlane, called Berrie, typical
ranch girl daughter Of the supervis-
ing ranger of Bear Tooth forest.
Berrie is greeted by her lover, Cliff
Belden, cowboy, supposed TO be inter-
ested in saloon at Meeker's Mill,
where Norcross is bound. Berrie
guides Norcross to his destination.
Mesh. the ranger at Bear Tooth. gives
Wayland points on forestry. Berries IA
Their offers him a place in the service.
Berrie decides TO go with them over the
trail.
They climb the high. rough trail and
only make camp when Wayland is on the
charms Wayland.
A shower intercepts them and the girl
gives the youth her raincoat. There is
rough element at Meeker's, and Norcross
chooses Landon. the ranger, as ms COM
panion. Landon loves Berrie.
cir notices Berries interest in the ten
derfoot and warns him away. lie also
takes his betrothed TO task. She resents
this and breaks their engagement
Wayland plumbers repeatedly. The su-
pervisor goes after the horses which have
wandered Off He is detained Norcross
arranges to sleep outside and Berrie in
side tent.
Wayland being IN. Berrie insists that he
sleep in the tent The supervisor doesn't
return. They break camp. Wayland is
used up on the trail
Continued from Last Week.
\ light broke in on the supervisors
brain In the midst OF his preoccupa-
ton as a forester he suddenly became
the father His eyes narrowed and
his face darkened. That's so. The
old rip could make a whole lot of cap
ital out Of your being left in camp
that way. At the same time | don't
believe in lodging. The worst thing
we could do would be TO try to blind
the trail. Was Tony here last night
when you came?'
mo; he was down the valley after
his mail"
His face darkened again. That's
another piece of bad luck too How
much does the old woman know at
present."
Nothing at all"
Didn't she cross examine your"
Sure she did. but Wayland side
tracked her OF course it only delays
things. She'll know all about il soon
er or later. She's great ut putting two
and two together Two and two with
her always make five"
McFarlane mused Cliff will be
plumb crazy II She gets his ear first"
Il don't care anything about Cliff.
daddy | don't care what he thinks or
does If he will only let Maryland alone. E"
See here. daughter. You do seem TO
be terribly interested in this tourist"
Hes the finest man ever knew.
father"
He looked AT her with tender. trust
ing glance. He isn't your kind. daugh-
ter. He's "A nice clean boy, but he's
different He don't belong in our
world. He's only just stopping here
Don't forget that"
I'm not forgetting that daddy !
know he's different That's why | like
him" After a pause she added: NO
body could have been nicer all through
these days than he has been He was
ike a brother
McFarlane fixed keen glance upon
her. Has he said anything TO you :
Did you come TO an understanding"
Her eyes fell Not the way you
mean. daddy. but think he-likes me
But do you know who he is: He's the
son of W. w. Norcross, thar big Mich
igan lumberman.
McFarlane started How do you
know thatY'
Mr.. Moore asked him If he was any
relation TO w, w NOrcross. and he
said. Yes. "A son. You should have
seen how that Moore girl changed her
tune the moment he 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
rs quiet and innocent as a kitten |
hate her, She's n 1eceitful snip"
well. now. daughter. that being the
case. it's all the more certain that he
don't belong to our world. and you
mustn't fix your mind on keeping him
here"
~ girl can't help fixing her mind
daddy"
"Or changing It," He smiled lit
tie. you used TO like Cliff. You liked
him well enough to promise TO marry
him"
II know did. But despise him
now"
Poor Cliff! But the thing we've got
to guard against Is old lady Belden's
tongue. She and that Belden gang
have it in for me. and all 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"
Mcbarlane was now very grave. Il
wish your mother was here this min
ute. guess we had better cut out this
timber cruise and go right back"
mo. you mustn't do that. That
would only make more talk. Go on
with your plans. Ill stay here with
you. IL won't take you but a 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 ridgeT
well. let him. lie has no claim on
me-"
He rose uneasiIy. It's all mighty