The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-06-22
CHAPTER XVI.
DESERVING the Ranch.

Ah0AA AhtEhNSG Norv ~
q - allen % her own.
I'm afraid To have you 60 even for
day." she admitted. with simple hon
esty. which moved him deeply. r
don't know what I should do II you
went away. think Of nothing but you
now"
Her face was pitiful. and he put his
arm about her neck a. II she wers q
child. you mustn't do that. You
must go on with your life Just a. n
I'D never been. Think Of your fathers
tob-of the forest and the ranch"
II can't do Il. I've lost interest In
the service. I never want to 20 into
the high country again. and I don't
want you 10 go either. It's too savage
and cruel"
That IL only a mood" he said con-
hdenuy. 1T Is splendid up there.
shall certainly go back some time"
"Of course. we are not rich. but We
are not poor. and my mothers family
r. one Of the Oldest In Kentucky" She
uttered this with q touch OF her moth
er's quiet dignity. your father need
not despise us"
$50 far ms my father Is concerned.
family don't count and neither does
money. But he confidently expects me
20 take up his business In Chicago. and
he finds me looking NJ he may order
me into the ranks at once"
"rll 80 there. I'll do anything you
want me TO do" she urged You can
tell your father that I'll help you In
the office I can learn. I'm ready 20
use a typewriter-anything."
He was silent In the face Of her
naive expression Of self sacrificing
love. and after q moment she added
hsstatingly: II wish could meet your
father Perhaps he'd come up here II
yvu asked him to do 80"
He seized upon the suggestion. by
George. believe he would! I don't
want to go TO town I5ust believe IN
wire him that I'm laid up here and
can't come"
A knock at the door interrupted Way
land. and Mn. McFariane's voice, filled
with new excitement. called out. Der
rts. the district Office IL on the wirer'
Berrie opened the door and confruut-
ed her mother. who said. "Mr. Ewing
ham phones that the afternoon papers
contain an account Of q fight at Coal
City between Settle and one Of Alec
Belden's men and that the district for
ester is coming down 10 investigate H."
"Let him come" answered Berrie de-
nantly. He can't do us any harm.
What was the row aboutr'
Il didn't hear much Of It. Your ia
Their was at the phone"
"what Ii II all about. father7" ask
Cd Berrie.
~Why, II seems that after left yes
terfay Settle rode down the valley
with Belden's OUTFIT, and they all got
b drinking. ending In q row. and Tony
beat one Of Belden's men almost 10
death. The sheriff has gone over 70
get Tony. and the Beldens declare
they're going to railroad him. That
means Wen all be brought into H.
Belden has seized the moment to pre-
fer charges against me for keeping
Settle In the service and for putting
Q nonresident on the roll as guard.
The whelp will dig up everything he
can to queer me with the Office. Al
that kept him from doing It before
was Cliffs interest In you"
He can't make any OF his charges
STICK" declared Berrie.
.Of course he can't. He knows that
But he can bring US all into court You
and Mr. Norcross will both be called |
az witnesses, for II seems that Tony |
was defending your name. The pa
psrs call It "A fight for a GIRL oh. irs
Q sweet ness You and Berrie and Ms.
McFarlane must get out OF here before !
you are subpoenaed-"
.And leave you to fight II out aloneY'
exclaimed his wife. II shall do moth |
ing Of the kind. Berrie and Mr.. Nor
cross can 60"
THAT won't do" retorted McFarlane |
quickly. THAT won't do at all. You |
must 20 with them. can take care
Of myself. will not have you drag
ged into this muckhole"
Berrie now argued against running
away. Her blood was up. She Joined
her mother. I'VE won't leave you b
inherit all this trouble. Who will look
affsr the ranchf Who win keep house
for your
McFarlane remained frm. "rli man
ago. Donr worry about me. Just vt
out Of reach. The more I consider dis
thing the more worsisoms Il gsts. Sup
pose Crn should come hack 10 tsstifyS"