I can well believe that, for I am getting my share of practical jokes at Meekers.
Theyre not a bad lot over there only just rowdy. I suppose theyre initiating you, said Landon.
I didnt come out here to be a cowboy, responded Norcross. But Frank Meeker seems to be anxious to show me all the good old cowboy courtesies. On Monday he slipped a burr under my horses saddle, and I came near to having my neck broken. Then he or some one else concealed a frog in my bed, and fouled my hair-brushes. In fact, I go to sleep each night in expectation of some new attack; but the air and the riding are doing me a great deal of good, and so I stay.
Come and bunk with me, urged Landon. Ill be glad to have you. I get terribly lonesome here sometimes, although Im supposed to have the best station in the forest. Bring your outfit and stay as long as you like.
This offer touched Norcross deeply. Thats very kind of you; but I guess Ill stick it out. I hate to let those hoodlums drive me out.
All right, but come and see me often. I get so blue some days I wonder whats the use of it all. Theres one fatal condition about this ranger
business its a solitary job, it cuts out marriage for most of us. Many of the stations are fifteen or twenty miles from a post-office; then, too, the lines of promotion are few. I guess Ill have to get out, although I like the work. Come in any time and take a snack with me.
Thereafter Wayland spent nearly every day with the ranger, either in his cabin or riding the trail, and during these hours confidence grew until at last Landon confessed that his unrest arose from his rejection by Berrie.
She was not to blame. Shes so kind and free with every one, I thought I had a chance. I was conceited enough to feel sorry for the other fellows, and now I cant even feel sorry for myself. Im just dazed and hanging to the ropes. She was mighty gentle about it you know how sunny her face is well, she just got grave and kind o faint-voiced, and said Oh, you know what she said! She let me know there was another man. I didnt ask her who, and when I found out, I lost my grip entirely. At first I thought Id resign and get out of the country; but I couldnt do it I cant yet. The chance of seeing her of hearing from her once in a while she never writes except on business for her father; but youll laugh I cant see her signature without a tremor. He smiled, but his eyes were desperately sad. I ought to resign, because I cant do my work as well as I ought to. As I ride the trail Im thinking of her. I sit here half the night writing imaginary letters to her. And when I see her, and she takes my hand in hers you know what a hand she has my mind goes blank. Oh, Im crazy! I admit it. I didnt know such a thing could happen to me; but it has.
I suppose its being alone so much, Wayland started to argue, but the other would not have it so.
No, its the girl herself. Shes not only beautiful in body, shes all sweetness and sincerity in mind. There isnt a petty thing about her. And her happy smile do you know, I have times when I resent that smile? How can she be so happy without me? Thats crazy, too, but I think it, sometimes. Then I think of the time when she will not smile when that brute Belden will begin to treat her as he does his sisters then I get murderous.
As Wayland listened to this outpouring he wondered at the intensity of the foresters passion. He marveled, too, at Berries choice, for there was something fine and high in Landons worship. A college man with a mining engineers training, he should go high in the service. He made the mistake of being too precipitate as a lover, concluded Wayland. His forthright courtship repelled her.
Meanwhile his own troubles increased. Franks dislike had grown to an impish vindictiveness, and if the old man Meeker had any knowledge of his sons deviltries, he gave no sign. Mrs. Meeker, however, openly reproved the scamp.
You ought to be ashamed of worrying a sick man, she protested, indignantly.
He aint so sick as all that; and, besides, he needs the starch taken out of him, was the boys pitiless answer.
I dont know why I stay, Wayland wrote to Berea. Im disgusted with the men up here theyre all tiresome except Landon but I hate to slink away, and besides, the country is glorious. Id like to come down and see you this week. May I do so? Please send word that I may.
She did not reply, and wondering whether she had received his letter or not, he mounted his horse one beautiful morning and rode away up the trail with a sense of elation, of eager joy, with intent to call upon her at the ranch as he went by.
Hardly had he vanished among the pines when Clifford Belden rode in from his ranch on Hat Creek, and called at Meekers for his mail.
Frank Meeker was in the office, and as he both feared and disliked this big contemptuous young cattleman, he set to work to make him jealous.
You want to watch this one-lung boarder of ours, he warned, with a grin. Hes been writing to Berrie, and hes just gone down to see her. His highfalutin ways, and his fine white hands, have put her on the slant.