Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-06-02
CHAPTER xv-ceatinped

1oul3e 4no 6feCk uu1Sneo roast
beef from the can, had chocolate
bars for dessert, then cups Of
coffee. Beyond their shelter the rain
fell with soft rustling through the
pines, then drifted on. Clouds part
ed and stars came out. Breck looked
at his watch. Two o'clock. Dawn
would break in another hour. He
must leave her then and 60 down to
the Potholes.
when did Cook call your camp?"
he asked. leading their talk to the
nesters.
About the middle of the after
noon. He and Slim were to start,
but they would be a day on the
trail"
It hope Kern Peak can head them
of, now that it's over" Brock con-
tinued. Didn't Cook think l had
help from the Potholers?"
He didn't say" Louise stirred
up the fire and hunched herself clos
er to it.
Brock pushed their plates from
the bedroll and sat next to her.
LOUISE" he asked, "can you tell
me what I'm thinking about now?"
Her lips began a smile, parted,
closed. Then she answered with
slow shake of her head.
well, I'm thinking of the Pot
holes, and of what kept the nesters
from coming into this fire. 1t will
be daybreak in another hour and I
must go down there. You're going
back to Temple Meadow, l suppose?
Will you try to get Cook on the line
and let him know about this FIRE?
Tell him I'll call later"
She avoided his request. "Why
are you going to the Potholes?"
"I'm afraid that's asking my bust
ness. isn't it,"
Eyes. I meant il that way. But
I'm sorry; my mistake. l somehow
thought we had reached a point
where we could talk openly"
Breck dropped his hand upon both
Of hers, resting in her lap. II was
short, Louise. Forgive it. I'm 60
ing to the Potholes to prove sus-
picion."
Still with her eyes upon the Goals.
she asked, "You think the nesters
started this fire?"
I'm not certain. I do know some
one drove them from helping on it."
"The Tillsons?"
Breck nodded.
Louise turned to him. II can
tell you about this fire, exactly.
Lightning started it."
"Of course. Lightning always
starts them!"
"It's true this time"
"Youl seem to know. Howl"
Louise hesitated. She released
her hands. "We're talking openly?
No mistakes. No misunderstanding,
is that right?"
"Yes."
"WeIl, Art Tillson came to our
camp, day before yesterday. That
was before the fire started. He
stayed all night-the night it start
ed, and I talked with him. Now do
you see?"
"Too much!" Brock bit of the
words, striving to conceal fare of
temper. He was jealous, foolish,
YET uclPlcSS W Slcill Tic Jul 81 VI
feeling the name had aroused.
what if they didn't start the
fre?" he demanded. 'The Tillsuns
are holding a threat over the nest
ers. It's time for cleaning and the
trail starts down there!"
Louise did not speak. He sensed
a swift tension of her body. though
the only visible sign was of her
fingers clasped tight about one knee.
Suddenly she lifted her face to
him. Gordon Breck, I know the
rules. A girl should never plead with
q man. I'm not pleading, l merely
ask. Promise me you will not 60
there now"
She was so close at his side. He
felt her quick breath and knew she
spoke in desperation. And yet
"You ask me to ignore rangers
duty?"
A note of defiance came into her
voice as she replied. "What is a
rangers duty II it isn't to use his
head! You have nothing on the nest
ers-you can get nothing. That isn't
the place to begin. You'll think I'm
begging for them. / guess ! am.
! know some Of the families, the
women, and ] don't want 70 see
them driven out. Give me . chance
with them, won't your"
"A chance for what?"
ITO talk with Weller sometime"
1--WE talked with him already. It's
useless. I'm through with wordsl''
''Oh. you men are stupid" she
Aared. "Stupidl All you think Of il
strapping on gun and going out to
shoot. q there never smother way
70 settler"
mot this,s Breck asserted. EAT
least not for me. have more
than . rangers duty hers"
How have youf"
''Did you know the man who had
his Job befpre mel"
Jimmy Cotterf Yes, I knew him
voeIl HI go kflla6 and vous,vu