Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-23

Drowned up and your clothes get dir
ty. You're little too fancy for them
just now"
81 don't believe want any more of
their company. What's the use? AS
you say, I've started wrong with them,
and don't see any prospect of getting
right; and, besides, 1 like the rangers
better. Landon thinks / might work
into the service. l wonder if / could?
1t would give me something to do"
She considered a moment. "We1l
think about that. Come into the kitch-
en-. I'm cook today. Mothers gone to
town."
The kitchen was clean and ample,
and the delicious odor of new made
bread filed it with cheer AS the girl
resumed her apron Wayland settled
into a chair with sigh of content
81 like this" he said aloud. "Theres
nothing cowgirl about you now; you're
the Anglo-Saxon housewife. You might
be a Michigan or Connecticut girl at
this moment"
Her cheeks were rudy with the
heat and her eyes intent on her work,
but she caught enough of his meaning
to be pleased with it. "Oh, have to
take hand at the pots and pans now
and then. l can't give all my time to
the service, but I'd like to-"
He boldly announced his errand. 81
wish you'd take me to board. I'm sure
your cooking would build up my shat
tered system good deal quicker than
your aunt's."
She laughed, but shook her head.
"You ought to be on the hills riding
hard every day. What you need is the
high country and the air of the pines"
She had read that victims of the
white plague always talk in this cheer
full way about themselves, and she
worked on without replying.
"If I were herein the valley-you
and I could ride together now and
then, and you could show me all the
trails. Why not let me come here and
board? I'm going to ask your mother
if | may not do So"
"Of course you can come here" she
said when she saw he was in earnest.
Mother will be glad to have you, al
though our ranch isn't bit pretty.
Perhaps father will send you out with
one Of the rangers as f1reguard. Til
ask him tonight"
II wish you would. I like these for
esters-what I've seen of them.
wouldn't mind serving under man
like Landon. He's fine"
Upon this pleasant conference Cliff
Belden UNEXPECTEDLY burst. Pushing
the door open with slam, he con-
fronted Berry with dark and angry
face.
"Why, Cliff, where did you come
from?' she asked, rising in some con-
fusion. II didn't hear you ride up"
apparently not" he sneeringly an
swered. II reckon you were too much
occupied
She tried to laugh away his black
mood "Thats right, was. I'm chief
cook today. Come in and sit down.
Mothers gone to town, and I'm play
ing her part" she explained, ignoring
his sullen displeasure. "Cliff, this is
Mr.. Norcross, who is visiting Uncle
Joe. Mr. Norcross, shake hands with
Mr.. Belden." She made this introduce
ton with some awkwardness, for her
lovers failure to even say "Howdy''
informed her that his jealous heart
was aflame, and she went on quickly,
"Mr. Norcross dropped in on his way
to the postoff1ce, and I'm collecting a
snack for him."
Recognizing Belden's claims upon the
girl, Wayland rose. 81 must be going.
It's long ride over the HILL"
Come again soon.' urged Berrie.
"Father wants to see you"
"Thank you. I will look in very
shortly" he replied and went out with
such dignity as he could command,
feeling, however. very much like dog
that has been kicked over the thresh-
old.
Closing the door behind him, Belden
turned upon the girl. whats that
consumptive 'dogie' doing here? He
'peared to be very much at home with
you-too dern much at homer
She was prepared for his displeasure,
but not for words like these. She an
swered quietly: "He just dropped in
on his way to town, and he's not a
dogiel" She resented his tone as well
as his words.
give heard about you taking him
over to Meeker's and lending him your
only sllcker," he went on, "but I didn't
expect to find him sittin' here like he
owned you and the place. You're TAX
ing altogether too much pains with
him. Can't he put his own horse out?
Do you have to go to the stable with
him? You-lA ever did have any sense
about yolr actions with men. You've
all alons been too free of your reputa-
ton, a. ID now I'm going to take care
of it for You. won't have you nursin'
this runfHsy-.ongerp'
She perceived now the full measure
OF his base rage, and her face grew
pale and set sYou're making a per-
feet fool ofjyotnself, Cliff" she said.
with portentous Guinness.
"Am IL he asked.
"You sure are, and you'll see it your
self by and by You've no call to get
wire edged about Mr.. Norcross. He's
not very strong. He's Just getting well