Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-11

cssy.isht. 1870. b uaalis oasiasd
CHAPTER XVI.
cAvAxAoH ro1rows HIS CHIEF.
4 z breakfast next morning Cava-
~ nagh said: II must ride back
and take some bread to the
Z = dog. / can't 90 away and
leave him there without saying hello"
.'''Lst me do that, !" suggested Wether-
ford. I'm afraid to 60 down to the
Fork. reckon I'd better 60 back and
tend the sheep till Gregg sends some
ono mp to take. my place."
Lees voice showed great anxiety. She
may be on her deathbed. No; you'd
better 90 down with me today" he
urged. And at last the old man con-
scented.
Putting some bread In his pockets.
Ross rode OF up the trail to see how
the dog and his flock were faring. He
had not gone far when he heard the
tinkle Of the bells and the murmur Of
the lambs, ana few moments later
the collie came toward him with the
air Of q boy who, having assumed to
disregard the orders Of his master, ex-
poets q scolding. He plainly said:
s'I'vo brought my sheep to you because
I was lonesome. Please forgive me-"
Cavanagh called to him cheerily and
tossed him . piece Of bread. which he
caught in his teeth, but did not swat
low. On the contrary, he held It while
leaping for joy Of the praise he heard
in his new found masters voice.
Turning the flock upward toward the
higher peaks. the ranger commanded
the collie to their heels and 80. having
redeemed his promise, rode back to the
cabin, where he found Wetherford sad
died aud ready for his momentous trip
to the valley. He had shaved away
his gray beard, and had Ross been I'M
prepared for these changes he would
have been puzzled to account for this
decidedly military figure sitting statu-
esquely on his pony before the door.
you can prove an alibi," he called
az he drew near. Gregg himself would
never recognise You now"
Wotherford was in no mood for jok-
Ing. "Lize VIII. I wore q mustache in
the old days, and there's . scar on my.
chin"
Az he rode he conhded this strange
thing to Cayanagh. II know" said he,
that Lie IL old and wrinkled, for I've
seen her, but all the same can't re-
alixe It That heavy set woman down
g. = fu 90 olinn nd
straight. This woman whom you know
has stolen her name and face. that's
all. I can't explain exactly what
feel, but Lee Virginia means more to
me now than Lie"
II think understand you." said
Cavanagh, with sympathy in his voice.
The nearer Wetherford came to the
actual meeting with his wife the more
he shook. At last he stopped in the
road. IT don't believe can do It,"
he declared. IN be like ghost to
her. What's the use of It? She'll only
be worried by my story. reckon I'd
better keep dark to everybody. Let me,
20 hack. I'm plum scared cold"
While still he argued two men on
horseback rounded a sharp turn in
tho trail and. came face to face with
the ranger Wstherford's face went
suddenly gray. There's the deputy"
Keep quiet. TIL do the talking"
commanded Cavanagh, who was in
slant In his determination to shield the
man. GOOD morning, gentlemen" he
called cheeyily. you're abroad early!
The man In front was the deputy
sheriff OF the county; his companion
was stranger.
bled ON Over: on Deer creek" the dep
u0 remarked. 8
ut certainly was. Have any arrests
bsen nader
mot yet. but we're on clew. This
II Aarshal Haines Of Dallas, Mr. Cav
anash," pursued the deputy. The two
men nodded In token Of the introduc-
ton, aud the deputy went on. you
remember that old cuss that used to
work for GregeT'
Again Cavanagh nodded.
well, that chap is wanted BY the
Texas authorities. Mr.. Haines here
wants 70 go him mighty bad. Hes
IN eocaped convict with bad record"
SsxD t00G 10y S4Cl040ASO S0V04400Ds
n thought he seemed q bit gun shy"
..Ths last seen Of him was when Sam
Ore9g sent him up to herd sheep. I
thtnk he was mixed up in that killing
Hyn6af-him and Ballard-and we're
eolng up to get some track OF him.
didn't turn up at your station. did
heSs
Y~Yes;. he came by some days ago. on
Ais way. % he said, to relieve that
sick Basque. Ambro. went up q
couple toa- Aaya ESQ and found the
Ba5uue dead and the old man gone. I
buried the herder the best could, aud
I'm on; ny way down to report the
eass."
Il ne deputy unused: HE may b.
hanging round some Of the lumber
Camps. reckon 10 had better - up
ana look tho ground over anyhow. We
saight Just chance to overhaul him"
sHe may have pulled out over the