"Very well, then. Listen, Charley. Here are your orders. To begin with, Jim is now on deck again and you are relieved of your position as temporary ranger."
Charley tried hard to choke back the lump that came into his throat. Evidently his face betrayed his feelings.
"Look at him, Commissioner," said the forester. "I believe he's going to pout."
Charley bit his lip and tried to smile.
"In the second place," continued the forester, "you are to remove your belongings from this post and oversee the cutting of the lumber operation."
The smile that now came to Charley's face was not forced.
"In the third place," the forester went on, "you are hereby appointed a ranger in the Pennsylvania Forest Service to succeed one George Lumley."
"Oh! Mr. Marlin," cried Charley, "you don't mean it honestly?"
"I sure do. And there is nothing temporary about your appointment. You are a full-fledged ranger. You have earned the place and I congratulate you heartily on having won it." He held out his hand and clasped Charley's warmly.
"Now, that is all I have to say to you," concluded the forester, "but I think the Commissioner wants to speak a few words with you."