The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-03-30

ernment once, lOOkeu up from
his work. "Come IN" he call.
\ ed heartily. Come in and re-
port"
Thank you. I'd like to do 30. And
may I use your deskf have a letter
TO write"
Make yourself nj home. Take any
desk you like. The men are all out on
duty"
You're very kind" replied wayiand.
gratefully. There was something re
assuring In this greeting and in the
many signs OF skill and scientific read
ing which the place displayed. II was
like a bit OF Washington in the midst
Of a careless. slovenly. lawless noun
tain town. and Norcross took his seat
and wrote his letter with a sense Of
proprietorship.
I'm getting up an enthusiasm for
the service just from hearing Alec
Belden rave against It," he said few
minutes later. a. he looked up from
his letter
Nash grinned. How did you like
MeekerY'
Hes good man. but he has his pecu-
narities. Belden In your real enemy. He
II blue with malignity-so are most OF
the cowmen ! met up there. I wish
I could do something for the service.
I'm q thoroughly up to date analytical
chemist and q passable mining engi'
neer. and my doctor says that for a
year at least ] must work In the open
air. Is there anything in this forest
service for a weakling like meT'
Nash considered. II think We can
employ you. but you'n have TO 60 on
a. Ore guard or something like that for
the first year. You see, the work Is
getting to be more and more technical
each year. As a matter Of fact"-here
he lowered his voice a little-"McFar.
lane 10 one OF the old guard and will
have to give way. He don't know a
thing about forestry and Is too old to
learn. His girl knows more about II
than he does. She helps him out on
once work too"
Wayland wondered a little at the
freedom Of expression on the part OF
Nash. but said. "If he runs his ONCE
rs he runs his ranch he surely Is con
demned To GO"
swell. you get Berrie TO take mp your
case and you're all right She has the
say about who goes on the force In
this forest"
II was late In the afternoon before
Wayland started back to Meekers with
intent TO repack his belongings and
leave the ranch for good. lie had de
cided not TO call at McFarlane's. a de
cision which came not so much from
fear OF clifford Belden as from a de
sire TO shield Berea from further trou
BILE. but rs he was passing the gate
the girl rose from behind a clump of
willows and called TO him: "Oh. Mr.
Norcrossi Wait IA momentT
He drew rein and. slipping from his
horse. approached her. what Is IL
Miss Berrie?'' he asked. with wonder
ing polIteness.
She confronted him with gravity
Its too late for you to cross the ridge
TIN be dark long before you reach
the cutoff You'd better not try TO
make Il"
II think ! can find my way" he an
swered, touched by her consideration
I'm not 80 helpless as ! was when !
came"
"Just the same you mustn't go on.
she insisted Father told me to ask
you 10 come In and stay all night lie
wants TO meet you ! was afraid you
might ride by after what happened to
day. and so ! came up here TO head
you on She took his horse by the
rein and flashed a smiling glance up
at him. Come. now. do as the super
visor tells you"
"walt a moment" he pleaded. ION
second thought ! don't believe it's n
good thing for me to go home with
you. II win only make further trouble
for-for Us both"
Il know what you mean ! saw
CHI follow you He jumped yo'
didn't her