The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-15

you'd better keep to the hills for a
few weeks. The settlers down below
won't enjoy having man with small
pox CLASSIFYING around town. They
might rope and de you"
Wetherford came out Of his hiding
place with a grave face.
They're right about our staying
clear Of town." said Cavanagh.
They'll quarantine Us sure"
Wetherford now that the danger of
arrest was over was disposed to be
gr1mly humorous. There's no great
loss without some small gain. Idon't
think wen be troubled by any more
visitors, not even by sheriffs or doc
tors. / reckon you and are In for
couple Of months Of the quiet iife-the
kind we read about"
Cavanagh now that he was definite
" out of the forest service perceived
the weight OF every objection which
his friends and relatives had made
against his going into it. 1t was q
lonely life ane must ever be 90. It
was all very well for a young unmar-
ried man who loved the woods and
hills beyond all things else and who
could wait for Advancement, but It
was q sad place for one who desired
q wife. The rangers place was on
the trail and In the hills, and to bring
woman into these high silences, into
these lone reaches Of forest and fell.
would be cruel. To bring children into
them would be criminal.
All the next day, while Wetherford
pottered about the cabin or the yard,
Cavanagh tolled at his papers. resolv-
ed to leave everything in the perfect
order which he loved. Whenever he
looked round upon his belongings, each
and all 50 redolent Of the wilderness,
he found them very dear. His chairs.
which he had rived out Of slabs; his
guns, his robes, his saddles and their
accouterments-al meant much to
him. Some Of them must go with
me-" he said, "and when am settled
down in the old home, I'll have one
room to myself which shall be so COM
pleteiy of the mountain America that
when am within it can fancy my
self back in the camp"
He thought of South Africa as q pos.
sibility and put it aside, knowing well
that no other place could have the
same indefnable charm that the Rocky
mountains possessed for the reason
that he had come to them at his most
impressionable age. Then, too, the
United States, for all its faults. SEEM
cd merely an extension Of the English
form Of government.
Wetherford was also moving in deep
thought and at last put his perplexity
into q question. What am / to dot
I'm beginning to feel queer. I reckon
the chances for my having smallpox
are purity fair. Maybe I'd better drop
down to Sulphur and report to the au-
thorities. I've got day or two be-
fore the blossoms VIII begin to show
on me-"
Cavanagh studied him closely. "Now,
don't get to thinking you've got it.
don't see how you could attach a
germ. The high altitude and the
winds up there ought to prevent in
lection. I'm not afraid for myself,
but If you're able perhaps we'd better
| pull out tomorrow"
Later In the day Wetherford express
ed deeper detection. 81 don't see any
thing ahead OF me anyhow" he con-
fessed. 'Tf go back to the pen I'll
die Of lung trouble, and don't know
how I'm going to earn living in the
city. Mebbe the best thing could do
would be to take the pox and go I'M
der. I'm afraid of big towns" he con-
tinued. ST always was, even when I
had money. Now that am old and
broke daren't go. No city for me-"
Cavanagh's patience gave way. "But,
man, you can't stay hers! I'm pack
! ing up to leave. Your only chance
OF getting out Of the country is to go
when 90 and in my company" His
voice was harsh and keen, and the old
man felt its edge, but he made no re-
anagh to repentance. His irritability
warned him Of something deeply
changing in his own nature.
Approaching the brooding felon, he
spoke gently and sadly. "Pm sorry
for you, Wetherford, / sure am, but
it's up to you to get clear away so that
Lee viii never by any possible chance
find out that you are alive. She has
a romantic notion Of you as a repre-
sentative Of the old time west, and il
would be a dreadful shock to her il
she knew you as you are. It's hard to
leave her, 1 know, now that you've
seen her, but that's the manly thing to
do-the only thing to do"
"Oh, you're right-of course you're
right. But 1 wish 1 could be of some
use to her. 1 wish could kind of keer
watch over her. I'd be glad enough t.
play the scullion in her kitchen. But
If you're going to take her.
"But I'm not" protested Ross. trn
going to leave her right here. cam
take her"
Wetherford looked at him Will
steady eyes, into which a keen ligh
leaped. Don't you intend to MARI,
herr
Ross turned away. mo; don't.