The Marshall republican., 1911-07-20
Cavanagh,
Forest
Ranger
The Great Conservation
Novel
BY HAMLlN GARLAND
BY HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. By Hsmlin G.nsndl

I'h
soned. incapable of rcbirth. yet carry.
ing something fine to his grave. He
had acted the part Of n brave man;
that shall be said Of him. He had
gone TO the rescue OF the poor Basque
instinctively. with the same reckless
disregard OF consequences TO himself
which marked his character when ~
a COW boss on the range he had set
aside the most difficult tasks for his
own rope or gun. His regard for the
ranger into whose care be was now
about 10 commit his wife and daugh.
ter persisted In spite OF his suffering.
In him was his hope. his stay. Once
again, In n lucid moment. he reverted
TO the promise which he had drawn
from Cavanagh.
III | 30 you must take care-of my
girl-tnke care of Lie too. Promise
me that. DO you promise?' he insist.
cd.
II promise-on honor" Ross repeat
cd. and. with a faint pressure OF his
hand $50 slender and weak. wcthcr-
ford sank away into the browse which
decpcned hour by hour. broken now
and then by commissions. which wrung
the stern heart Of the ranger TIL his
hands trembled for pity.
The day was well advanced when the
sound Of rafting pebbles on the hill
back OF his cabin drew his attention.
and a few moments later n man OF n
dropped heavily from the saddle. He
was a small. dark individual. with
~spectacles. plainly OF the city.
"Bcworcl Smallpox" called Ross Ms
bis visitor drew near the door.
The newcomer waived his hand con.
temptuously. "rve had Il. Are you
Ross Cavannghr'
81 am"
MY name In Hartley. I represent
the Denver Roundup. I'm interested
In this sheep berdcr kiiiing-mcrely
as n reporter he added. with a feet.
Ing smile. did you know old man
Dunn Of Deer Greek had committed
suicide1'
Cavanagh started and his face set.
'No.'
They found him shot through the
neck and dying-this morning. As he
was gasping his last breath he said.
The ranger knows and when they
asked. What rangerr he said. 'Cava-
nagh.' When ! heard that l jumped n
horse and beat 'em al over here. Is
this truef Did he tell you who the
murdercrs areT'
Cavanach did not answer at once.
He was like a man caught on a sway
Ing bridge. and his irst instinct was
TO catch the swing TO get his balance.
"Wait a minute. What In Il all TO
your"
Again that peculiar grin lighted the
small mans dark. unwholesome face.
TITS a fine detective stunt, and. be-
sides. II means so per column and
mebbe a boost can't wait; you
can't wait. It's up to us to strike
now. II these men knew you have
their names they'd hike for Texas or
the high seas. Come nowi Everybody
tells me you're one of these idealistic
the future OF the west than most
natural born westerners. What's your
planf II you'n yoke up with me we'll
run these devils into the earth and win
great fame and you'll be doing the
whole country a service"
The ranger studied the small hgu:e
before him with penetrating gaze.
There was deliberate fearlessness In
the strangers face and eyes. and. not
w%ithstanding his calm, almost languid
movement. restless energy could be
detected In his voice.
"what is your plan?" the ranger
asked.
"Get ourselves deputixed by the
court and jump these men before they
realize that there's anything doing.
They count the whole country on their
side. but they're mistaken. They've
outdone themselves this time. and a
tremendous reaction has set in. Every
body knows you've held an even hand
over these warning Picts and Scots.
and the court will BIO glad to deputize
you to bring them to justice. The old
sheriff IL paralyzed. Everybody knows
that the assassins are prominent cat
tie ranchers, and yet no n dares
move. It's up to you fellows, who
represent law and order. to act quick"
Cavanagh followed him with COM
plete comprehension, and q desire to
carry out the plan seized upon him.
I'D do II II ] could" he said. 'but II
happens ! am nursing q sick man. !
am perhaps already exposed to the
same disease. I can't leave here for q
week or more. 1t would not be right
for me to expose others"-
"Don't worry about that. Take q
hot bath. fumisate your clothing.
shave your head. I'll Ok you up. and
I'll get some . 70 take your place."
Catching sight Of 6wsuson and Liza
on the bridge, be asked; who are
those psoplef Can't thsy take your
nursing 1oby'
EMO" answered CavaaAaeh bluntly,