The Delta independent., 1911-05-19


NO. you don't! I'm going across. I'm
going to see Ross. and If he needs help
I'm going to roll up my sleeves and
| take hold
Cavanagh saw her advancing, and as
she came near enough for his voice to
reach her he called out: Don't come
any closer. Stop. tell you!" His
voice was stern. you must not come
step nearer. Go back across the
dead line and stay there. No one but
the doctor shall enter this door. Now,
that's final"
II want to help!" she protested
81 know you do. but l won't have it.
This quarantine is real. and 1t goes!'
But suppose you yourself get sick ~
We'll cross that bridge when we
get to it. I'm all right so far. and I'll
call for help when need it."
His tone was imperative and she
obeyed. grumbling about his youth and
the value Of his life to the service.
That's all very nice" he replied.
but I'm in it. and l don't intend to
expose you or any one else to the con-
tagion."
I've had 1t once" she asserted.
He looked at her and smiled In rec
ognition Of her subterfuge
No matter: you're ailing and might
take it again. so toddle back. It's
mighty good of you and of Lee to
come. but there isn't thing you can
do. and here's the DOCTOR" he added
as he recognized the young student
who passed for a physician in the
Fork. He was beardless youth Of
small experience and no great cour-
age. and as he approached with hesi-
tant feet he asked:
Are you sure it's smallpoX?'
Cavanugh smiled THE indications
are all that way. That last importa-
tion of Basques brought it probably
from the steerage of the ship. I'm
told they've had several cases over in
the BASIN
Have you been vaccinated?"
Yes. when was in the army"
"Then you're all right"
81 hope so"
There was certain comic relief In
this long distance diagnosing of
"car-r" by a boy, and yet the tragic
fact beneath it all was that wether
ford was dying. n broken and dishOn-
Ored husband and father. and that his
Identity must be concealed from his
wife and daughter. who were much
more deeply concerned over the ran
ger than over the desperate condition
Of his patient And this must con
tinue to be So" Cavanagh decided
And as he stood there looking toward
the girls fair figure on the bridge he
came to the final. fixed determination
never to speak one word or make a
sign that might lead to the dying
mans Identification. "Of what use Is
t?" he asked himself. why should
even Lie be made to suffer? wether.
ford's poor misspent life is already
over for her. aud for Lee he is only a
dim memory"
Redtield came near enough to see
that the rangers face. though tired.
showed no sign of illness and was re-
lieved. who Is this old herder?" he
asked. Hasn't he any relatives In
the country?'
He came from Texas, so he said.
You're not coming in?" he broke OF
to say to the young physician. whom
Lie had shamed into returning to the
cabin.
II suppose I'll have to-" he protest
ed weakly.
Il don't see the need of 1t. The
whole place reeks of the poison. and
you might carry 1t away with you.
Unless you insist on coming in and
are sure you can prevent further CON
tagion | shall oppose your entrance.
You are in the company of others.
must consider their welfare"
The young fellow was relieved.
"Well. so long as we know what 1t is
can prescribe just as well right
here" he said and gave directions for
thetreatment. which the ranger agreed
to carry out.
II tried to bring a nurse" explained
Red6eld, but | couldn't find anybody
but old Lie who would come"
II don't blame them" replied Ross.
ut isn't nice job, even when you've
got all the conveniences."
His eyes as he spoke were on the
figure of Lee. who still stood on the
bridge. awed and worshipful. barred OF
approach by Lie. she shall not
know" he silently vowed. why put
her through useless suffering and
shame? Edward Wetherford's disor.
dered life is near Its end. To betray
him to his wife and daughter would
be but the reopening Of an old wound"
He was stirred to the center of his
heart by the coming of Lee Virginia.
so sweet and brave and trustful. His
stern mood melted as he watched her
there waiting, with her face turned
toward him. longing to help. "She
would have come alone II necessary"
he declared. with fuller revelation OF
the self sacrificing depth of her love,
"and she would come to my side this