The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-22

In the end the rancher promised to
90 this, but his tone was that Of bro
ken and disraught dotard. All the
landmarks Of his life seemed suddenly
shifted.
Meanwhile the sufferings OF Wether-
ford were Increasing, and Cavanagh
was forced to give up all hope Of get
ting him down the trail next morn
ing, and when Swenson, the forest
guard from the South Fork. knocked
at the door to say that he had been to
the valley and that the doctor was
coming up with Redheld and the dis
krict forester Ross thanked him. but
ordered him to go into camp across
the river and to warn everybody to
keep clear OF the cabin. '.Put your
packages down outside the door," he
added. "and take charge OF the situa-
ton on the outside. I'll take care of
the business inside
Wetherford was IN great pain, but
the poison of the disease had misted
his brain. and he no longer worried
over the possible disclosure of his iden-
fity. At times he lost the sense of his
surroundings and talked Of his prison.
life or Of the long ride northward.
Once he rose IN his bed to beat of
the wolves which be said were attack
ing his pony.
He was a piteous figure as he strug-
gled thus. and it needed neither his
relationship to Lee nor bis bravery in
caring for the Basque herder to I'LL
the rangers heart with a desire to re-
IieYe bis suffering. Perhaps I should
have sent for Lie at once" he unused
as the light brought out the red sig
natures of the plague.
Once the old man looked up with
wide, dark, unseeing eyes and muir
INJURED. AZ don't seem to know you"
~Pm a friend. Ny name is Cava-
nagh."
Il can't place you." he sadly admit
ted 81 feel pretty bad. If ever get
out of this place I'm going back to the
Fork. I'll get gold mine; then I'll
90 back and make up for what Lie
has gone through. Pm afraid to go
back now"
IAN right" Ross soothingly agreed.
But you'll have to keep quiet till you
get over this fever you're suffering
rom"
IF Lie weren't so far away she'd
come and nurse me. I'm pretty sick. :"
Swenson came back to say that
probably Redfield and the doctor
would reach the station by noon, and
thereafter, for the reason that Cava-
nagh expected their coming. the hours
dragged woefully. It was after ]
O'Clock before Swenson announced
that two teams were coming with
three men and two women in them
sTheyT be here in half an hour"
The rangers heart leaped. Two
sTomenl Could one OF them be Lee
Virginia. What folly-what sweet,
desperate follyI And the other-she
could not be Lie, for Lie was toe
feeble to ride SO far. ''Stop them on
the other side OF the bridge" he com
manded. Don't let them cross the
creek on any pretext."
AS he stood In the door the futteE
Of a handkerchief. the waving of 8
AanOs A4d0C LIS HalSC EAOW anu LIS
eyes grow dim. It was Virginia.!
Lie did not futter a kerchief OF
wave hand. but when Swenson stop
ped the carriage at the bridge she said
mo. you don't! I'm going across. I'm
going TO see Ross, and If he needs help
I'm going to roll up my sleeves and
take hold"
Cavanagh saw her advancing, and as
she came near enough for his voice tc
reach her he called out: Don't come
any closer! Stop. l tell your His
voice was stern. "You must not come
q step nearer Go back across the
dead line and stay there. No one but
the doctor shall enter this door. Now
ehat's final"
Il want to helpP' she protested.
ST know you do. but won't have It
This quarantine is real. and it goesP'
"But suppose you yourself get sick p
Wen cross that bridge when we
get to it I'm all right so far, and I'll
call for help when need It"
His tone was imperative, and she
obeyed. grumbling about his youth and
the value of his life to the service.
That's all very NICE he replied
''but I'm In It, and 1 don't intend tc
expose you or any one else to the con
kagion."
''Pve had it once" she asserted.
He looked at her and smiled in rec
ignition OF her subterfuge.
..No matter: you're ailing and might
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