"I begin to feel that that's why I'd like to take it up. It's the only thing out here that interests me--and I've got to do something. I can't loaf."
"Well, you get Berrie to take up your case and you're 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 Meeker's with intent to repack his belongings and leave the ranch for good. He had decided not to call at McFarlane's, 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. "It's too late for you to cross the ridge. It'll be dark long before you reach the cut-off. You'd better not try to make it."
"I think I can find my way," he answered, touched by her consideration. "I'm not so helpless as I was when I came."
"Just the same you mustn't 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 don't believe it's 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, didn't he?"
He hesitated. "He was pretty hot, and said things he'll be sorry for when he cools off."
"He told you not to come here any more--advised you to hit the out-going trail--didn't he?"
He flushed with returning shame of it all, but quietly answered: "Yes, he said something about riding east."
"Not to-day; but I guess I'd better keep away from here."
"Because you've been very kind to me, and I wouldn't for the world do anything to hurt or embarrass you."
"Don't you mind about me," she responded, bluntly. "What happened this morning wasn't your fault nor mine. Cliff made a mighty coarse play, something he'll have to pay for. He knows that right now. He'll be back in a day or two begging my pardon, and he won't get it. Don't you worry about me, not for a minute--I can take care of myself--I grew up that way, and don't you be chased out of the country by anybody. Come, father will be looking for you."