Putnam patriot., 1911-06-02

"A nagh said: "l must ride back
 \ and take some bread 10 the A A dog can't go away and leave him there without saying hello Let me do that" suggested Wether- ford 'I'm afraid to go down to the Fork. reckon I'd better go back and tend the sheep tli Gregg sends some one mp 10 take my place.
 That might be too late To see Iize. Lees voice showed great anxiety She may be on her dcalhbed. No. you q better go down with me today" he urged. And at last the old man con sented
 Putting some bread in his pockets, Ross rode of ID the trail 10 see how the dog and his flock were faring He had not gone far when he heard the tinkle of the bells and the mafuar of the lambs. and q few moments later the collie came toward him with the air of a boy who. having assumed 10 disregard tbe orders of his master, eX- poets seoldng. He plainly said: '1've brought my sheep to you because l was lonesome Please forgive me Cayanagh called to him cheerlly and tossed him a piece of bread. which he caught in his teeth. but did not swal- low On the contrary. he held II while leaping for joy of the praise he heard in hls new found masters voice.
 Turning the flock upward toward the higher peaks. the ranger commanded the collie to their heels and So. having redeemed his promise. rode back to the cabin. where he found Wetherford sad died and ready for his momentous trip to the valley. He had shaved away his gray beard. and had Ross been un- 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 m alibi." he called as he drew nenr Gregg himself would never recognize you now"
 Wetherford was fin no mood for jok Ing. "Iize will l wore mustache in the old days and there's scar on my chin"
 As he rode he conflded this strange thing 10 Cavanagh. "l know, said he. that I.lze Is old and wrlnkled. for I've seen her. but nil the same 1 can't re alize it. That heavy set woman down there is not Lize. My Lize is slim and straight This woman whom you know has stolen her name and face, that's all can't explain exactly what feel. but Lee Virginia means more to me now than Lize."
 ''I think l understand you" said Cavanagh. with sympathy in his voice. The nearer Wetherford came 10 the actual meeting with his wife the more he shook At last he stopped in the road. 'I don't believe 1 can do t." he declared "Ill be like ghost to her Whats the use of 1t? She'll only be worried by my story. 1 reckon I'd better keep dark 10 everybody. Let me go back I'm plum scared cold
 While still he argued two men on horseback rounded q sharp turn in the trail and came face to face with the ranger Wetherford's face went suddenly gray. There's the deputy" Keep quiet I'll dc the talking. commanded Cavanaeh who was in stant in his determination to shield the man, Good morning. gentlemen he called cheerily. You're abroad carly" The man ir front was the deputy sheriG of the county, his companion was q stranger
 That was horrible mess you stun bled on over on Deer creek" the dep uty remarked
 Tt certainly was. Have any arrests been nader
 Not yet. but we're on a clew. This is Marshal Halnes of Dallas. Mir. Cav anagh." pursued the deputy. The two men nodded in token of the ntroduc- ton, and the deputy went on You work for Gregg?s
 Again Cavanagh nodded.
 Well. that chap is wanted by the Texas authorities. Mir Haines here wants 10 see him mighty bad. He, an escaped convict with a bad record.
 ''Is that sog" exclaimed Cavanagh "I thought he seemed bit gun shy"
 'sThe last seen of him was when San Gregg sent him up to herd sheep. think he was mixed up in that killinl myself-hlm and Bauard-and we'r going up 10 get some track of him Didn't turn up at your station. di' he?''
 "Yes: he came by some days ago. ol his way. so he said. to relieve tha sick Basque. Ambro. went up couple of days ago and found tn Basque dead and the old man gone. buried the herder the best could. an I'm on my way down 10 report tn case"
 The deputy unused; "He may b hanging round some of the lumbe camps. I reckon we had better go u and look the ground over anyhow. w might just chance to overhaul him"
 He may have pulled out over th range" suggested the ranger. Any how. it's long way up there, an' you'll probably have 10 camp at m,
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