Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-16

map.
'Is this the Office Of the forest super
visor?" asked the youth.
The man at the machine looked up
and pleasantly answered: sit is, but
the supervisor is not in yet. Is there
anything l can do for your
sit may be you can. l am on my
way to Meeker's mill for little out
ing. Perhaps you could tell me where
Meeker's mill is and how I can best
get there"
The man at the map meditated.
tits not far, some eighteen or twenty
miles, but it's over a pretty rough
trail"
"What kind Of place is it?"
Every charming. You'll like it. Real
mountain country"
This officer was a plain featured
man of about thirty-five, with keen
and clear eyes. His voice, though
strongly nasal, possessed note of
manly sincerity. AS he studied his
visitor he smiled
you look brand new. Haven't had
time to season check, have your"
mo. I'm a stranger in strange
land"
"Out for your health?"
eyes. My name is Norcross. I'm
just getting over severe illness, and
I'm up here to lay around and fish and
recuperate-if l can"
"You can-you will. You can't help
it," the other assured him. Join one
of our surveying crews for week and
I'll mellow that suit Of yours and make
real mountaineer Of you. see you
wear a Sigma Chi pin. What was
your school?
81 am Son of ELL Last years
class"
I'm ten classes ahead of you. My
name is Nash. I'm what they call an
expert I'm up here doing some es-
timating and surveying for big ditch
they're putting in. | was rather in
hopes you had come to join our ranks.
We sons of Eli are holding the conser-
walton fort these days, and we need
help"
"My knowledge of your work is rath-
er vague" admitted Norcross. my
father is in the lumber business, but
his point Of view isn't exactly yours"
HE Stays 'em, does hep
"He did. He helped devastate Michi-
gan"
After me the deluge! l know the
kind. Why not make yourself sort
of vicariOus atonement?'
Norcross smiled. 81 had not thought
of that. 1t would help some, wouldn't
it?'
st certainly would There's no great
money in the work, but it's about the
most enlightened OF ali the govern
mental bureaus
Norcross was strongly drawn to this
forester, whose tone was that of a
highly trained specialist. 81 rode UP
on the stage yesterday with Miss Ber-
RE McFarlane.'
1.-THE supervisors laughter"
she seemed fine western type"
She's not type; she's an individual.
She hasn't her like anywhere I've gone.
She cuts wide swath up here. Being
an ~only child she's both son and
daughter to McFarlane. She knows
more about forestry than her father
In fact, half the time he depends on
her judgment"
Norcross was interested, but did not
want to take up valuable time. He
said, "Will you let me use your tele-
phone to Meekers"
Every sorry, but our line is out of
order. You'll have to wait day or So
or use the mails. You're too late for
today's stage, but it's only short ride
across"
AS they were talking a girl came gal
Looping up to the hitching post and slid
from her horse. 1t was Berea McFar.
lane. Good morning, Emery" she
called to the surveyor Good morn.
ing" she nodded at Norcross. "Iow
do you find yourself this morning?'
"Homeslck," he replied smilingly.
"Why so?"
I'm disappointed in the town."
Berrie looked round at the forlorn
shops, the irregular sidewalks, the
CRASHES yards. at isn't very pretty
that's a fact, but you can always for
set 1t by just looking up at the high
country, When you going up to the
mill?"
81 don't know. l haven't had any
word from Meeker, and | can't reach
him by telephone"
II know. The line is short circuited
somewhere. but they've sent a mar
out. He may close it any minute"
"wheres the SUPERVISOR" asked
Nash.
nes gone over TO Moore's cutting
How are you getting on with those
plats|
Every well. I'll have 'em all in shape
by Saturday"
"Come in and make yourself at
home" said the girl to Norcross.
You'll find the papers two or three
days old" she smiled I'VE never
lnow about anything here till other
leople have forgotten it."
Norcross followed her into the office,
furious to know more about her. She
was so changed from his previous con-
eeption of her that he was puzzled.
"ectness and the breyity