Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-16
Continued from page 81

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 an alibi" he called
as he drew near. "Gregg himself would
never recognize you now"
Wetherford was in no mood for jok-
ing. Lie will. / wore mustache in
the old days, and there's scar on my
chin
As he rode he confided this strange
thing to Cavanagh. Il know" said he,
"that Lie is old and wrinkled, for I've
seen her. but all the same l can't re-
alize it. That heavy set woman down
there is not Lie. My Lie is slim and
straight This woman whom you know
has stolen her name and face, that's
all. l can't explain exactly what l
feel. but Lee Virginia means more to
me now than Lie"
81 think l 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. II don't believe l can do it."
he declared. TN be like a ghost to
her. What's the use of it? She'll only
be worried by my story. I reckon I'd
better keep dark to everybody. Let me
60 back. I'm plum scared cold
While still he argued two men on
horseback rounded sharp turn in
<ho 20 ,;th
the ranger. Wetherford'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 cheerily. You're abroad earlyv'
The man in front was the deput..
sheriff Of the county; his companion
was stranger.
THAT was horrible mess you STUN
bled on over on Deer creek" the dep
uty remarked.
1T certainly was. Have any arrests
been made?"
mot yet. but we're on a clew. This
Is Marshal Haines of Dallas. NJ. Cav
anagh." pursued the deputy. The two
men nodded in token of the introduce
ton. and the deputy went on. You
remember that old cuss that used to
work for Gregg"
Again CavanaGh nodded
"Well. that chap is wanted by the
Texas authorities. Mr. Haines here
wants to see him mighty bad. He -
an escaped convict with u bad record"
us that SOP" exclaimed Cavanagh
II thought he seemed bit gun shy"
1.-The last seen of him was when Sam
Gregg sent him up to herd sheep.
think he was mixed up in that killing
myself-him and Ballard-and we're
going up to get some track of him
Didn't turn up at your station. did
he?"
Yes; he came by some days ago, on
his way. so he said. to relieve that
sick BASQUE. Ambro. went up
couple of days ago and found the
Basque dead and the old man gone. /
buried the herder the best could. and
Pm on my way down to report the
case"
The deputy mused: He may be
hanging round some of the lumber
camps. | reckon we had better go up
might just chance to overhaul him"
He may have pulled out over the
range" suggested the ranger. ANY
how. it's long way up there. and
you'll probably have to camp at my
place tonight. You'll find the key
hanging over the door Go in and
make yourself comfortable"
The deputy thanked him and was
about to ride on when Cavanagh add.
ed: Il burned that Basque's tent and
bedding for fear of contagion. His
outfit was worthless anyhow. You'll
find the sheep just above my cabin
and the horse in my corral"
THE old man didn't take the horse.
eh? Well. that settles it; he's sure at
one of the camps. Much obliged. Good
day.
AS the two officers rode away weth-
erford leaned heavily on his pommel
and stared at the ranger with wide
eyes. His face was drawn and his
lips dry. They'll get me. They'll get
mev' he said.
"Oh. no, they won't" re1oined C,Sa-
nagh. you're all right yet They
suspect nothing. How could they.
with you In uniform and In my com
panyr
All the same, I'm scared. That
man Haines had his eyes on me every
minute. He saw right through me.
They'll get me, and they'll charge me
up with that killing"
No. they won't, l tell you" insisted
the ranger. "Hainas suspected nothing.
had his eye. He never saw you be-
fore. and has nothing but diescrip-
ton to go by, so cheer up. Your uni
form and your position with me will