Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-23
CHAPTER XIX.
THE PEsTHOUsE.

THE PEsTHoUsE.
CAvANAGH had kept a keen
watch over Wetherford. and
when one night the old man
began to complain Of the
ache in his bones his decision was in
slant
you've got It," he said Its up
to US to move down the valley tomor-
row."
Wetherford protested that he would
as soon die in the hills as in the val
ley Il don't want Lee Virginia to
know, but IL l seem liable to fade out
| I'd like Lie to be told that l didn't
forget her and that l came back to
. find out how she was. hate to be a
nuisance to you. and so I'll go down
the valley If you say So"
I AS he was about to turn in that
night Ross heard horse cross the
bridge and. with intent to warn the
rider of his danger, went to the door
and called out: Halt! Who's there?'
IA friend" replied the stranger in a
? weak voice.
Ross permitted the visitor to ride up
to the pole II can't ask you in" he
explained i've IA sick man inside
Who are you. and what can l do for
your
| Notwithstanding this warning the
rider dropped from his saddle and
came into the light which streamed
from the door.
my name Is Dunn" he began. Pm
from Deer Creek"
ho
you're that rancher l saw working
in the ditch the day l went to tele-
! phone, and you've come to tell me
something about that murder"
The other man broke into whim-
per- I'm a law abiding man. Mr.. Cav
anagh." he began TREMENDOUSLY. I've
always kept the law and never intend
ed to have anything to do with that
business. l was dragged into it
against my will. I've come to you be-
cause you're an officer of the federal
law You don't belong here. l trust
you. You represent the president. and
l want to tell you what / know. only
want you to promise not to bring me
into it. I'm a man with a family. and
| can't bear to have them know the
truth"
There were deep agitation and CON-
plete sincerity in the rancher's choked
and hesitant utterance and Cavanagh
turned cold with premonition of what
he was about to disclose. Ell am not
an officer Of the law. Mr.. Dunn. not in
the sense you mean. but | will respect
your wishes"
II know that you are not an officer
Of the county law, but you're not q
cattleman. 1t is your business to keep
the peace in the wild country. and you
do it. Everybody knows that. But
can't trust the officers of this country;
they're all afraid of the cowboys. You
are not afraid. and you represent the
United States, and III tell you. ] can't
bear it any longer!' he walled. 81
must tell somebody. l can't sleep, and
I can't eat. I've been like a man In
nightmare ever since. l had no hand
In the killing-I didn't even see it done
but l knew 1T was going to happen
saw the committee appointed. The
meeting that decided it was held In
my barn, but I didn't know what they
intended to do. You believe me. dom
your He peered up at Cavanagh will
white face and wild eyes. I'm ovel
seventy years of age, Mr.. Cavanagh
and I've been a law abiding citizen al
my life"
His mind, shattered by the weight o.
his CHASTITY secret, was in confusion
and, perceiving this. Cavanagh began
to question him gently. One by on
he procured the names of those VIII,
voted to deal with" the herders. On
by one be obtained also the list o
those named on ''the committee of re