Nash considered. The Supervisor might put you on as a temporary guard. Ill speak to him if you like?
I wish you would. Tell him to forget the pay. Im not in need of money, but I do require some incentive something to do something to give me direction. It bores me stiff to fish, and Im sick of loafing. If McFarlane can employ me I shall be happy. The country is glorious, but I cant live on scenery.
I think we can employ you, but youll have to go on as fire-guard or something like that for the first year. You see, the work is getting to be more and more technical each year. As a matter of fact here he lowered his voice a little McFarlane is one of the old guard, and will have to give way. He dont know a thing about forestry, and is too old to learn. His girl knows more about it than he does. She helps him out on office work, too.
Wayland wondered a little at the freedom of expression on the part of Nash; but said: If he runs his office as he runs his ranch he surely is condemned to go.
Theres where the girl comes in. She keeps the boys in the office lined up and maintains things in pretty fair shape. She knows the old man is in danger of losing his job, and shes doing her best to hold him to it. Shes like a son to him and he relies on her judgment when a close decision comes up. But its only a matter of time when he and all he represents must drift by. This is a big movement were mixed with.
I begin to feel that thats why Id like to take it up. Its the only thing out here that interests me and Ive got to do something. I cant loaf.
Well, you get Berrie to take up your case and youre all right. She has the say about who goes on the force in this forest.
It was late in the afternoon before Wayland started back to Meekers with intent to repack his belongings and leave the ranch for good. He had decided not to call at McFarlanes, a decision which came not so much from fear of Clifford Belden as from a desire to shield Berea from further trouble, but as he was passing the gate, the girl rose from behind a clump of willows and called to him: Oh, Mr. Norcross! Wait a moment.
He drew rein, and, slipping from his horse, approached her. What is it, Miss Berrie? he asked, with wondering politeness.
She confronted him with gravity. Its too late for you to cross the ridge. Itll be dark long before you reach the cut-off. Youd better not try to make it.
I think I can find my way, he answered, touched by her consideration. Im not so helpless as I was when I came.
Just the same you mustnt go on, she insisted. Father told me to ask you to come in and stay all night. He wants to meet you. I was afraid you might ride by after what happened to-day, and so I came up here to head you off. She took his horse by the rein, and flashed a smiling glance up at him. Come now, do as the Supervisor tells you.
Wait a moment, he pleaded. On second thought, I dont believe its a good thing for me to go home with you. It will only make further trouble for for us both.
She was almost as direct as Belden had been. I know what you mean. I saw Cliff follow you. He jumped you, didnt he?
He overtook me yes.
What did he say?
He hesitated. He was pretty hot, and said things hell be sorry for when he cools off.
He told you not to come here any more advised you to hit the out-going trail didnt he?
He flushed with returning shame of it all, but quietly answered: Yes, he said something about riding east.
Are you going to do it?
Not to-day; but I guess Id better keep away from here.
She looked at him steadily. Why?
Because youve been very kind to me, and I wouldnt for the world do anything to hurt or embarrass you.
Dont you mind about me,
she responded, bluntly. What happened this morning wasnt your fault nor mine. Cliff made a mighty coarse play, something hell have to pay for. He knows that right now. Hell be back in a day or two begging my pardon, and he wont get it. Dont you worry about me, not for a minute I can take care of myself I grew up that way, and dont you be chased out of the country by anybody. Come, father will be looking for you.
With a feeling that he was involving both the girl and himself in still darker storms, the young fellow yielded to her command, and together they walked along the weed-bordered path, while she continued:
This isnt the first time Cliff has started in to discipline me; but its obliged to be the last. Hes the kind that think they own a girl just as soon as they get her to wear an engagement ring; but Cliff dont own me. I told him I wouldnt stand for his coarse ways, and I wont!
Wayland tried to bring her back to humor. Youre a kind of new woman.
She turned a stern look on him. You bet I am! I was raised a free citizen. No man can make a slave of me. I thought he understood that; but it seems he didnt. Hes all right in many ways one of the best riders in the country but hes pretty tolerable domineering Ive always known that still, I never expected him to talk to me like he did to-day. It certainly was raw. She broke off abruptly. You mustnt let Frank Meeker get the best of you, either, she advised. Hes a mean little weasel if he gets started. Ill bet he put Cliff up to this business.