The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1911-06-09

CAvANAGH FOLLOWS HIS CHIEF.
Mt breakfast next morning Cava-
"a nagh said: IT must ride back
I and take some bread to the
4 = dog l can't go away and
leave him there without saying hello"
"Let me do that" suggested Wether.
ford. "I'm afraid to 60 down to the
Fork. 1 reckon I'd better go back and
tend the sheep till Gregg sends some
one up to take my place."
"That might be too late to see Lie.
Lees voice showed great anxiety. She.
may be on her deathbed. No; you'd
better 60 down with me today" he
urged. And at last the old man con-
sented.
Putting some bread in his pockets,
Ross rode Off up the trail to see how
the dog and his flock were faring. He
had not gone far when he heard the
tink1e Of the bells and the murmur of
the lambs, and few moments later
the collie came toward him with the
air Of boy who, having assumed to
disregard the orders Of his master, ex-
poets scolding. He plainly said:
|"I've brought my sheep to you because
/ was lonesome. Please forgive me-"
+" Cavanagh called to him cheerily and
tossed him piece Of bread, which he
caught in his, teeth, but did not swal.
low. On the contrary, he held 1t while
leaping for Joy Of the praise he heard
in his 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 yYetherford sad
died and ready for his momentous trip
to the valley. He had shaved away
his gray beard, and had Ross been ur-
| 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
rs he drew near. Gregg himself would
never recognize you now" !.
wetherford was in no mood for. jok,
ing. "Lize will. wore q mustache in
the old days, and there's scar on my
chin" >
As he rode he conHded this strange
thing to Cavanagh. II know" said he.
"that Lie is old and wrinkled, for I've
seen her, but all the same can't re
alize 1t. That heavy set woman down
there is not Lie. My Lie is slim and
y straight. This woman whom you know
. has stolen her name and face, that's
/ all. I can't explain exactly what, ]
nfeel, but Lee Virginia means more ia
me now than Lize."
Il think I understand you," said
Cayanagh, with sympathy In his voice
Tho nearer Wetherford came to- the
= actual meeting with his wife the morl
he shook. At last he stopped In TIM
road. II don't believe | can do It,
he declared. 'T'll be like ghost 4
her. What's the use Of it7 She'll only
81 be worried by my story. ] reckon II
better keep dark to everybody. Let mi
!. +: 10 back. I'm plum scared cdld.'
? While still he argued two men Of
horseback rounded sharp turn II
the trail and came face to face witt
the ranger. Wetherfords face wen
suddenly gray. There's the deputy!
aKeep quiet. I'll do the talking,
commanded Cavanagh. who was In
stant in his determination to shield tn
man. "Good morning, gentlemen" b
called cheenly. you're abroad early!
The man lin front was the deput
!. sheriff of the county; his companio
was stranger.
"That was horrible mess you stun
bled on over on Deer creek the DEL
utz remarked. .-