Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1911-07-20

. Ranger
BY HAMlIN GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. by Hsmlin Garland

go back and make up for what Lie
has gone through. I'm afraid to 60
back now"
"All right" Ross soothlngly agreed
But you'll have TO keep quiet Till you
get over this fever you're suffering
from"
| IF Lie weren't so far away she'd
come and nurse me. I'm pretty sick. ="
Swenson came back TO say that
probably Redfeld and the doctor
would reach the station by noon, aud
thereafter. for the reason that Cava-
nagh expected their coming. the hours
dragged woefully. II was after !
o'clock before Swenson announced
that two teams were coming with
three men and two women I'm them.
''rhey'l, be here In half an hour"
The rangers heart leaped. Two
women. Could one OF them be Lee
yirginiai What folly-what sweet.
desperate folly! And the other-she
could not be Lie. for Lie was too
feeble TO ride so far. stop them on
the other side OF the bridge" he COM
manded. Don't let them cross the
creek on any pretext."
As he stood In the door the fiutter
OF n handkerchief. the waving Of a
hand. made his pulse glow and his
eyes grow dim. II was Virginia.
Lie did not flutter n kerchief or
wave hand. but when Swenson stop
ped the carriage at the bridge she said
mo. you don't! I'm going across. I'm
going TO see Ross. and II 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 your 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 10 helpr she protested
81 know you do. but won't have Il.
This quarantine is real. and IL goesv'
But suppose you yourself get siskT
"We'll cross that bridge when VIZ
1 49, W ~ a IA tikhN ~ Aahs ah0 q ~
call for help when I 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.
''bH I'm In IL. and ! don't intend to
expose you or any one else 10 the con
tagion."
I've had It once" she asserted
lie looked at her and smiled In rec
ognition Of her subterfuge.
"No matter; you're ailing and might
| take II 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 a 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
Cavanagh smiled. The indications
are all that way. Tha last importa-
ton OF Basques brought II probably
from the steerage Of the ship. I'm
told they've had several cases over In
the basin"
Have you been vaccinatedT'
"Yes. when ! was In the army"
"Then you're all right"
81 hope So"
There was a certain comic relief In
this long distance diagnosing Of
case" by n boy, and yet the tragic
fact beneath II all was that Wether.
ford was dying. a 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
itr he asked himself why should
hven Lie be made to suffer? Wether.
sord's poor misspent life Is already
aver for her. and for Lee he Is only a
aim memory"
Redfeld 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 countryT'
"He came from Texas, so he said
You're not coming in?" he broke Off
to say to tho young physician. whom
Lie had shamed into returning to the
cabin.
II suppose I'll have to-" he protest.
ed weakly.
II 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-
mgion l shall oppose your entrance.
You are In the company of others.
must consider their welfare"