The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-03-25


seemed plumply couirnt ns he replied
10 the ranger erecting He repre-
seuted very wcll the type of officer
which thcse dirurdcrly communities
produce Brave aud iirclcsS when
working along the lire 0r hls prclu
diCes. he could he must laxiy inefficient
when his duties cut across his own or
his ueigbbur's Interests Being n ca
tleman by training he was glad Of the
red herring which the Texas officer
had trniled across the line Of his pur-
suit
THIS attitude slil further inhnmcd
Cavauagh's Indignant hate Of the coun
try. The theory which the deputy de
veloped was transparent folly. III was
just case of plain robbery" he ar
gued zone of them dagocs had niou-
cy. and Ncill Halord aud that man Ed
wards Just naturally follcrcd him and
killed the whole bunch aud scootcd
That's my guess"
An hour later the sound Of u horses
hoofs Oh tho bridge gave warning OF a
visitor, and as Cavanagh went TO the
door Gregg rode mp. seeking pauicu-
lars as to the death of the hcrder and
the Whereabouts Of the sheep
The ranger was not in mood 10 in
vlte the sheepman In. and besides, he
perceived the danger to which Nether.
ford was exposed therefore his an.
swers were short Gregg. on his part
did not appear anxious 10 cutter
what happened to that old hobo I
seut up?" he asked.
Cavanagh briefly retold his story, and
at the end OF 1t Gregg Gruntcd You
sag you burned the tent aud all the
beddlngr
Every thread Of it II wasn't safe
| 20 leave IT,"
What allied the man."
81 don't know. but it looked and
smelled like smallpox
The deputy rose with spring
Smallpox You didn't handle the
cuss?'
Cavanagh did not spare him Some.
body had to lend hand / couldn't
see him die there alone, and he had to
/ De DurleU, SO ! ul0 the lon.
Gregg recoied a step or two. but the
deputy stood staring. the implication
OF oil this sinking deep. Were you
wearing the same clothes you've got
on?"
yes. but used slicker while
working around the body"
Good kingr' The sweat broke out
on the mans face, "Yon ought to he
arrested"
Ross took q step toward him. I'm
at your service"
keep OFF," shouted the sheriff
Ross smiled. then became very 40.
rious II took every precautiop. Mr..
Deputy. I destroyed everything that
could possibly carry the disease. I
burned every utehel. including the
ssddle-everythiug but the man $
horse aud his dog"
The officer caught up his hat aud
coat and started for the door. Its
mo FOR the open air" said he
As the men Withdrew Ross followed
them and. standing In his door, de.
llvered his Gnsl volley. "If this state
does not punish those 6euds every de-
cent man should cmigrate ont OF f.
| turning the land over to the wolves,
the wildcats and other beasts Of prey.
Gregg as he retrcated called back
"Thats all right, Mr.. Ranger. but
you'd better keep to the hills for u
few weeks The settlers down below
won't enjoy having a man with small
poX chassaying around town. They
might rope and tie you"
Wetherford came out Of his hiding
place with a grave face.
They're right about our staying
clear OF town" said Cavsnagh
They'll quarantine US sure"
Wetherford now that the danger of
arrest was over was disposed to he
grimly humorous There's no great
loss without some small gain, don't
think wen be troubled by any more
visitors. not even by sheriffs or doc
tors ] reckon you and | are in for 2
couple of months of the quiet life-tht
kind we read about" .rtc
Cavanagh now that he was definite
| " OUT OF lne IpIFSl SET ICE ftItelNfN
the weight of every objection which
his friends and relatives had made
against his going into 1t, II was .
lonely life and must ever be 80. i
was all very well for n young unmar
ried man who loved the woods anC
hills beyond all things else and wht
could wait for advancement, but Il
was sad place FOR one who desired
wife. The rangers place was OF
the trail and iu the hills. and to brinE
woman into these high silences, iptC
these lone reaches of forest and fell
would be cruel To bring children int
them would be criminal
All the next day. while WetherforC
pottered about the cabin or the yard
Cavanagh toiled at his papers, resolv
ed to leave everything in the perfec
order which he loved Whenever HI
looked round upon his belongings, eacl
and all so rcdolent OF the wilderness
he found them very dear His chairs
which he had rived out OF slabs, hi
guns, his robes, his saddles aud thei
accouterments-a all meant much Il