Mountain advocate., 1922-04-07
The Rangers
Atonenent
By CALVIN HENDRICKS

Nesta had one sorrow in her life,
and that was the thought Of Jim
Barnes. She was the daughter of a set
tier in the forest region of Oregon,
and Barnes and John Anderson had
both wanted her. Anderson had won.
He was successful sheep farmer, and
he and Nesta loved each other de-
votedly. They had been married six
months.
Jim Barnes was in the government
service. He was a forest ranger. He
was a lonely man, somewhat older
than Anderson. All his life had been
spent in the forests and on the plains.
He loved his work; and, when Nesta
rejected his suit, he went quietly back
to 1t.
Anderson was successful because he
gave his flock all his attention. In
winter he kept them In the pens, but
in summer he pastured them in the
sweet grasses Of the uplands. These
long, sloplng ranges rise above the
surrounding forests. into which the
sheep Will not stray. Thus a herd can
be secured. so long rs the pasturage
holds out, within 80 acres, ranged
around with trees; and every alter
nate day they can be moved to another
of the mountain slopes.
Nesta and John had a series of lit
tie cabins all along the edge of the
range. While Nesta prepared the meal
in the daytime John, would lie on the
hill slopes, watching his flock, and
smoking, and dreaming Of his return
to Nesta
1t was during one Of these days that
Barnes came riding up to Nesta's
cabin, where she was alone.
"Can you spare me a drink Of water.
ma'am?" he began. II saw your fire
smoking and thought 1t might be"
Then she turned round and they
recognized each other.
81 beg your pardon. Mrs. Anderson"
said Barnes. II didn't know 1t was
you. You see. thought the smoke
from your cabin might be the be-
ginning of forest fire. We rangers
are on the alert nowadays. owing to
the dry spell"
Nesta gave him the cup Of water.
He drank II. raised his hat, and
turned to go. Suddenly he wheeled
round. His voice was hoarse with
emotion.
"Nesta r. he cried, and caught her
by the hands. "Nesta T.
There was an intense passion in his
voice. He said no more. and, sudden
ly dropping her hands. he turned
away.
Days passed. Nesta had said moth
ing to John. Barnes did not go near
the cabin.
1t was toward evening about three
weeks later that Barnes, ascending an
observation hill. perceived line of
smoke curling up from the forest edge
beneath him.
He rode toward II at full gallop, but
before he reached It he perceived that
1t was beyond one mans control. There
was nothing to do but to ride to the
camp, five miles away, and summon
aid. He returned about nine o'clock,
with a company of ten fire fighters
but by this time the heaven was alight
with the lurld flames.
There's a camp down there" said
Smith, one of his men. 81 think it's a
sheepman's. | saw a man and wom-
an as rode by yesterday" He point
ed toward a spot near the lower slope
Of the hill. "You got them out. OF
eourse2" he continued
Barnes stared at him one moment.
Then:
'"Take charge, Smith," he said.
I'm going to see about them" He
spurred his horse and rode Off at full
gallop.
He dared not think 1t might be
Eesta.
In their cabin Nesta and John were
sleeping. John stirred In his sleep and
muttered. Nesta heard him, but she did
not know that death was upon them.
A hand pulled at her shoulder. She
muttered drOwsIly. She opened her
eyes. Barnes was standing over her.
but in her benumbed state II Occa-
stoned no surprise.
She felt herself lifted in his arms.
A moment later, and Barnes was dash
ing away to- safety, and. when Nesta
came back to consciousness. they were
safe over the river bank, and on the
opposite edge wa san inferno of fame.
"JOhn John" he cried at last I'M
derstanding.
But Barnes was already gone. She
waited In an agony of suspense. Then
out of the forest a horse came plung-
ing, and on its back were two fig
ures.
One was Barnes, and before him,
upon the saddle. swathed In a smolder-
ing blanket. and supported by Barnes
arm, was John. Neither man was
badly hurt The blanket had pro-
tected John. though he was still stupe-
fed by the smoke, but Barnes hair