Glacier County chief., 1939-06-09
CHAPTER xu-continued

enough tools for the same reason
that there aren't half enough trails,
half enough telephone sets, half
enough miles of wire to protect this
forest Come right down to it, we
just can't get the money. What do
we count in politics anyway?
Like this seventy-eight dollars
Slim spoke of. Now I've never been
to Washington, but l reckon here's
the way of it. The talk gets around
to appropriations for the forest serv-
ice. Maybe they see I'm asking for
five hundred dollars to build trails.
Who's this Cook?' someone
asks.
"a ranger in the Sierras.'
How many votes out there?'
six
"'Five hundred dollars for six
votes? My Godi' So in the end !
build trails on seventy-eight dol
lars"
Cook shrugged, adding, Nothing
against the gentlemen who hold
their jobs by their votes. But they
ought to see our side of it. I reckon
they think we want trails to 60 JOY
riding on, and telephones to gossip
over, and tools to dig in the gar
deni"
In the silence that followed, Breck
produced his pipe, lighted it, let it
60 out in his hand A thought had
come with Cooks first words. He
had put it from his mind. But the
letter was in his pocket. He
shrugged of the feeling that it had
been pressed upon him by Fate,
and tried to argue within himself.
Sutherland would do nothing. Yet
he knew Sutherland was fair-mind-
ed. II only bringing him would not
mean bringing Irene also. She did
not belong here.
He felt jealous of his life; il was
his own. He knew too well how she
could usurp it. Again the picture of
her came before his eyes; a beauti-
full girl, drawing him even in a
vision.
Cook" he said abruptly, ''you
brought letter from down below
from a friend of mine whose father
is Senator Sutherland There's a
chance that l could get them up
here on vacation. I'm not sure it
would help the service, and yet he's
a politician and plays the game"
might get down the guest books"
Sierra offered, land show him how
many hundred tourists come
through these parts. Then name a
trail after him."
l,urhAl ,4x -
dumb, Slim! The Sutherland Trail.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"
Cook remained thoughtful over
slow puffs from his pipe. 'Son,"
he said at last, 1--WE never played
politics, but if there's any way in
this world to get what we need for
the mountains, I'll learn the game.
I don't know much about talking
with a Senator"
You'll find that easy enough.
He'll do most of it."
GOOD fellow, is he?"
Down below, yes. I've never
seen him roughing it. His wife is
a good sport. And he'll bring
daughter"
''Ah!" Sierra exploded. There
we have it. Another womanI Dad,
listen to me; let's call this off,"
He gave Breck a resentful look
out of grave blue eyes. "Pardner,
you FAINT THROWN Louy down?
Wasn't she on the fire line with you
last night? And didn't she 60 herself
instead of sendin' the Indian? We
passed Temple and he told US. Now
you're bringin'-"
Ease off, SLIM" Cook checked
him, laughing. ITS Breck's affair"
1.-THE hell it is! I'm plumb dis
appointed in you, pardner."
Sierra stood up and walked from
the cabin. 1t was the most urgent
speech Breck had ever heard him
give, and in it he sensed a fierce
loyalty to Louise Temple.
Now" said Cook, maybe we
can get down to facts. When will
these people conner"
Breck glanced at his letter. This
was written two weeks ago. They
might have other plans"
''Wire 'em. ! left the switches in
at headquarters. You can get Lone
OI anu IldNC Lie kllCS-
sage relayed from there"
Cook paused. drew at his pipe.
then continued with rapid planning.
I'm detail you to do it up proper.
Have them meet you at Dick Di-
vines pack camp; that's at the foot
OF the south trail. They're driving
up the valley, suppose?"
''Yes; from Pasadena"
well then, bring them here to
Rock House. You've got tents.
Show your Senator around while
you're on patrol Give him an idea
Of what we've got and what we need.
How does that suit your"
IAN right" Breck answered, Ell
you Say RS part Of my job" But
imward1y be vas dubious. He had
~ wanted Irene Sutherland hare.
CUAR1EB XV0