The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-21

| showed no sign or illness and was re- 1 lieved. "Who Is this old herder" he | asked. Hasn't he any relatives in
 the countryT' sa- e.
 "He came from Texas. so be said. You're not coming inY' he broke of
 to say to the young physician, whom Lize had shamed into returning to the 1 cabin.
 "I suppose I'll have to-" he protest | ed weakly. "I don't see the need of it. The 1 whole place reeks of the poison, and you might carry it 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. l l must consider their welfare" The young fellow was relieved ''Well. so long as we know what it is can prescribe just as well right here" he said and gave directions for the treatment, which the ranger agreed to carry but.
 T tried to bring a nurse." explained Redfeld. "but couldn't 6nd anybody but old Lize who would come" T don't blame them." replied Ross "It isn't nice job, even when you've got all the conyeniences." His eyes as he spoke were on the figure of Lee. who still stood on the bridge, awed and worshipful. barred of approach by Lize. "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 if necessary" he declared. with fuller revelation of the self sacrificing depth of her love. "and she would come to my side this moment if l called her.''
 He went back to his repulsive serv- fee sustained and soothed by the little camp of faithful friends on the other side of the stream.
 During one of his dearest moments Wethsrford repeated his wish to die a stranger. "I'm going out like the old time west, rag of what I once was. Don't let them know. Put no name over me. Just say, An old cowpunch- CT lies here.'"
 Caranagh's attempt to change his hopeless tone proved unavailing. En- feebled by bis hardships and his priS- on life. he had little reserve forge upon which to draw in fighting such an en- emy. He sank soon after this little tspeech into a coma which continued to hold him in its unbroken grasp as night fell.
 Meantime. seeing no chance of aid ing the ranger, Redfeid and the for ester prepared to return. but Lee. re- enforced by her mother. refused to ac- company them. .'I shall stay here" till know that he is beyond all dan ger"
 Redield did not urge her to return 1 as vigorously as Dalton expected him to do, but when he understood the girls desire to be near her lover he took of his hat and bowed to her ''You are entirely in the right" he said. Here is where you beiong."
 Redield honored L4ize for her sym pathetic support of her daughters res olution and expressed his belief that Ross would escape the plague. "I feel that his splendid vigor, combined with the mountain air. will carry him through. even if he should prove not to ba immune. shall run up again dsy after tomorrow. l shall be very anxious. What a nuisance that the telephone line Is not extended to this point. Ross has been insisting on its vaiue for months"
 Les saw the doctor go with some dismay. Young as he was. he was at least Q reed to cling to in case the grisly terror seized upon the ranger. "Mr. Redfield. can't you send real doctor? It seems so horrible to be left here without instructions" The forester. before going. again be sought Cavanagh not to abandon his work In the forestry service and inti- | Ahdtcu tAf1t dt tue pIOpSI tA1uc du- vancement would be offered him ''The whole policy is but beginning" said he, "and a practical ranger with your experience and education will prove of grea test value"
 To this Ross made reply: "At the moment l feel that no promise of ad- vancement could keep me in this cOun- try of grafters. poachers and assassins. I'm weary of it aud all it stands for. However. if I could aid in extending the supervision of the public ranges and in stopping forever this murder and burning that go on outside the forestry domain might remain in the west"
 Would you accept the supervisor ship of the Washable forest? demand ed Dalton.
 Taken by surprise, he stammered q might, but am the manT
 You are. Your experience fits you for a position where the fight is hot The Washable forest is even more a bone of contention than this We have laid out the lines of division between the sheep and the cows, and it will take a man to enforce our regulations. | You will have the support of the best citizens. They will all rally. with you as leader, and so end the warfare 1 therc."
 Ut can never end till Uncle Sam | Se,r Nf h