The Delta independent., 1911-04-21

.Let me do that" suggested Wether-
ford. I'm afraid to go down to the
Fork. l 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 go down with me today" he
urged And at last the old man con-
sented.
Putting some bread in his pockets,
Ross rode of up the trail to see how
the dog and his flock were faring. He
! had not gone far when he heard the
tinkle of the bells and the murmur Of
| the lambs. and a 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:
"Ive 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 Wetherford sad
d. 4 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 a mustache in
the old days. and there's n 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 | 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
feel, but Lee Virginia means more to
me now than Lize.'
II think l. understand you" said
Cavanagh. with sympathy In his voice.
The nearer jWetherford came to the
actual meeting with his wife the more
he shook. AT last he stopped in tho
road. II don't believe can do it,"
he declared IN be like 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
go back. I'm plum scared cold
While still he argued two men on
horseback rounded sharp turn In
the trail and came face to face with
the ranger. Wetherford's face went
suddenly gray. There's the deputyw
Keep quiet. I'll do the talking"
commanded Cavanagh. who was in
stant in his determination to shield the
man. Good morning. gentlemen" he
called cheerily. You're abroad earlyr'
The man In front was the deputy
,herin of the county; his companion
was a stranger.
THAT was a horrible mess you STUN
Ultu Oh OVER Ou iJetT NTetk. Iut utp-
uty remarked.
1T certainly was. Have any arrests
been made?"
mot yet. but we're on a clew. This
Is Marshal Haines of Dallas. Mr.. Cav
anagh." pursued the deputy. The two
men nodded In token OF the introduc-
tiOn. 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
.exas authorities. Mr.. Haines here
wants to see nrin mighty Dad. Hes
an escaped convict with u bad record. -
"Is that SOP" exclaimed Cavanagh.
Il thought he seemed bit gun shy"
'The last seen of him was when Sam
laregg sent him up to herd sheep. l
think he was mixed up in that killing
myself-hlm and Ballard-and we're
going up to get some track of him.
Didn't turn up at your station. did
her"
"Yes; he came by some days ago. on
his way. SO he said. to relieve that
sick Basque. Ambro. went up a
rouple of days ago and found the
Basque dead and the old man gone. l
buried the herder the best could. and
I'm 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 60 up
and look the ground over anyhow. Wo
might just chance to overhaul him."
HE may have pulled out over the
range" suggested the ranger. "Any-
how. It's n long way up there. and
you'll probably have to camp at my
place tonight. You'll ind the key
I,ucutru oyar tho door 10 In and