The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-05-11

case. It's all the more cerHin tnHt ne
don't belong to our world, and you
mustn't On your mind on keeping him
here"
"A girl cant help fixing her mind.
daddy"
"Or changing IT," He smiled a Ut
tie. "You used to like CHI. You liked
him well enough to promise to marry
him"
II know I did. But I despise him
now"
Poor CHI. 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"
McF'arlaue was now very grave. ~
wish your mother was here this min
ute. l 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. ~ stay here with
you. II 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 ridger
"well. let him He has no claim on
me-"
He rose uneasily. ITS all mighty
risky business. and it's my fault. !
should never have permitted you to
start on this trip"
Don't you worry about me. daddy.
III pull through somehow. Anybody
that knows me will understand how
little there Is in-in old lady Belden's
CAB I've had a beautiful trip. and
won't let her nor any body else spoil II
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 II was in his usual
soft monotone. Mr.. Norcross." bs
began. with candid infection. ~ am
very sorry TO say II, but ! wish you
and my daughter had never started
on this trip"
II know what you mean. supervisor
and ! feel ~ you do about H. OF
course none Of us foresaw any such
complication as this. but now that w
are snarled up In II wen have to ma Ike
the best OF II. No one OF US Ia {,
blame. II was all accidental"
The youths frank words and his
sympathetic voice disarmed McFar
lane completely. Even the slight re
sentiment b. felt melted away. "Itl
ne use saying H." he remarked Al
length. What we've got to meet J.
Seth Belden's report-Berrie has Gu
loose from CHI. and he's red headet
already. When he drops on to Thu
story. when he learns that l had {,
chase back after the horses and tina
you and Berrie were alone togethe
for three days. he'll have a fine clul
to swing. and he'll swing It, and Ale
will help him. They're all waitin,
a chance to get me. and they're meal
enough to get me through my girl"
what can I dor asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered. "I'll try u
head of Marin Belden and I'll have I
talk with Moore. He's a pretty rea
sonable chap"
But you forget there's another tai,
bearer. Moore's daughter Is will
them"
That's 80. I'd forgotten her. Goo,
Lord, we are in for II! There's n,
use trying to cover anything up"
Here was the place for Norcross {,
speak up and say. "Never mind, In
going to ask Berrie to be my wife.
But he couldn't do II. Something ros,
In his throat which prevented speech
A strange repugnance. a kind Of sui
len resentment at being forced into
declaration kept him silent, and Nc
Farlane, disappointed. wondering an,
hurt. kept silence also.
Norcross was the first to speak. 20
course those who know your daughte
will not listen for an instant to tn
story OF an unclean old thing like Mr.
Belden."
I'm not so sure about that" re
piled the father gloomily. people Al
ways listen to such stories. and a cir
always gets the worst Of situation
like this. Berries been brought up 3
take care OF herself, and she's KEEP
clear Of criticism so far, but with Cit
on edge and this old rip snoopin
around His mind suddenly changed
"Your being the son of a rich maj
won't help any. Why didn't you te
me who you wereT
IL didn't think II necessary. VIVA
difference does II maker l have moth
ing to do with my fathers business
His notions Of forest speculation ar
not mine"
ut would have made a difference
with me. and II might have made
difference with Berrie. She mightn'
have been 50 free with you at the star
II she'd known who you were. Yo
looked sick and kind OF lonesome. an
that worked on her sympathy"
II was sick and l was lonesome. an,
she has been very sweet and lovely 4