Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-09-09
CHAPTER ii

a New Marshal


had seen but little different from 9th
ers IN the past. That Barrows had
refused to tell the identity of the per-
son who had furnished the money to
sustain Franklin Rogers during the
DAYS when his son had been held in
hospital after hospital did not surprise
Bart in the least. The true amaze
ment was the fact that he and his
father had possessed a friend who de-
sired to remain in the dark, for
friends with them had been very few.
Seven years before they had come
West to play with fate in the tilling of
q Quarter-section of dry, sandy soil.
They had fought for their water rights
and obtained them at last. Then they
had worked as only a father and son
can work when there is perfect com
munion.
dry winter in the mountains, with
consequent dwindling irrigation sup
ply had taken their savings in one
summer. Then a crop, bountiful and
marketed at high prices, had lifted
them to the pinnacle, only to be fol
lowed by war.
More than two years after the end
Ing of the war Bart had been allowed
20 come home and start on the win
ming road, in spite Of an invalid ia
Their and the pressure OF debt-Only to
find a mystery at the bottom of it all.
Who had been the man who had taken
notes only as a fOrmality, who had
entered into pact with his father?'
Bart gave it up and joined little
group in front Of the polling place who
surrounded Tom Jordan, the apparent
ly successful candidate. Bart looked
around for the other aspirant; broad
shouldered, clustering Bull" Frannl-
ston, but failed to see him. Instead
He moved forward quietly as girl
came around the corner, a rather
childish-appearing and wistful-featured
girl who hesitated, then turned toward
the bent, angular figure of an old man
who followed her, and who FASTENED to
her side with a sort Of dog-like devo-
ton in obedience to her silent COM
mand.
Coming for the results, Miss Fran
nston?' he questioned
yes" She smiled quickly. "Who
won?"
They haven't finished counting the
ballots In here yet The other four
precincts gave majority of about
100 to Tom Jordan"
Did they honestly2' Bart Rogers
believed he caught a tone of hope in
her voice.
"Then-then Fathers beaten?"
1T looks that way"
I'm so sorry" Bart Rogers looked
at her quickly, wondering If what she
said were the truth.
IF you're sorry, I'm sorry, too, Miss
Franniston." He moved closer to her.
'But to tell the truth, I voted the
other way"
II understand" She hesltated and
turned away as though to hide the ex-
preston which bitter memory had
brought to her features.
Then, the dog-like Old Jim once more
following her, she went on. But Bart
Rogers watched after her. To him she
represented more than a pretty, lik-
able girl; she was ali and NOTTINGHAM
unattainable ideal.
To him she represented the gap, the
near-hatred which stood between him
and Bull" Franniston. her father,
gap which dated back to the night be-
fore Bart had left for France. He had
been walking along the road toward
town, when suddenly he had stopped
ar the sound of a girlish scream, fol-
lowed by the hoarse, anger-burdened
voice Of a man. He had turned and
running back the road, had leaped to-
ward a man md a girl-the girl cring-
ing and frightened, the man believing
over her, fist clenched for another
blow. Then Bart Rogers had fought,
fought with all the strength in him,
fought against superior odds. And he
had won, while in the background the
frightened girl had crOuched in the
arms Of a whimpering, prematurely
aged man; only to learn when once
victory had been his, that he had
fought a father to prevent him from
beating his own daughter.
More than once had Bart Rogers
wondered if Bull" Franniston still
s,roye to beat his daughter, and If Old
jim shrunk, whimpering and helpless,
In the background. More than once,
TOO had he dreamed of the time when
the load Of debt which now was his
could he lifted that he might think Of
other things than work-of a girl, per-
laps, girl for whom he might strive,
that the frightened, wistful glance
might depart from her eyes forever,
and glowing happiness beam there In
stead But the dream had not come
'rus