Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-04-13


lords poor misspent life is already
over for her, and for Lee he is only a
dim memory"
hedheld came near enough to see
that the rangers face. though tired.
showed no sign of illness and was re-
lleved. WHO is this old herder?" he
asked. Hast he any relatives i'll
the country:'
He came from Texas, SO lie said.
You're not coming in?" he broke off
to say to the young physician, whom
Lie had shamed into returning to the
cabin.
Il suppose I'll have to-" he protest
ed weakly.
Il don't see the need of it. The
whole place reeks of the poison, and
you might carry it away with you.
Unless you insist on coming in and
are sure you can prevent further con-
tagion | shall oppose your entrance.
You are in the company Of others.
must consider their welfare"
The young fellow was relieved.
well, so long as we know what it is
l can prescribe just as well right
here" he said and gave directions for
the treatment. which the ranger agreed
to carry out.
Il tried to bring a nurse" explained
Redfeld, but l couldn't find anybody
but old Lie who would come"
Il don't blame them" replied Ross.
1T isn't a nice job. even when you've
got all the conveniences."
His eyes as he spoke were on the
figure Of Lee. who still stood on the
bridge, awed and worshipful. barred of
approach by Lie, "She shall not
know" he silently vowed. why put
her through useless suffering and
shame? Edward Wetherford's disor-
dered life is near it's end To betray
him to his wife and daughter would
be but the %reopening of an old wound
He was stirred to the center of his
heart by the coming of Lee Virginia,
so sweet and brave and trustful. His
stern mood melted as he watched her
there waiting, with her face turned
toward him. longing to help. "She
would have come alone if necessary
he declared. with a fuller revelation of
the self sacrificing depth of her love,
land she would come to my side this
moment if / called her"
He went back to his repulsive serv-
ice sustained and soothed by the little
camp of faithful friends on the other
side of the stream.
During one Of his clearest moments
Wetherford repeated his wish to die a
stranger. I'm going out like the old
time west, a rag of what | once was.
Don't let them know. Put no name
over me. Just say. An old coWpunch-
er lies here"
~Cavanagh's attempt tc change his
hopeless one proved u%navailing. En-
feebled by his hardships and his pris-
on life, he had little reserve force upon
which to draw in fighting such an en-
envy. He sank soon after this little
speech into d coma which continued
to hold him in it's unbroken grasp as
night fell.
Meantime, seeing no chance Of aid
ing the ranger, Redfeld and the for
ester prepared to return, but Lee, re-
enforced by her mother, refused to ac-
company them. II shall stay here"
she said, till he is safely out of it
till l know that he is beyond all dan
ger"
Redfeld did not urge her to return
as vigorously as Dalton expected him
to do, but when he understood the
girls desire to be near her lover he
took off his hat and bowed to her.
You are entirely in the right" he
said. Here is where you belong"
Redfeld honored Lie for her sym
pathetic support Of her daughters res
olution and expressed his belief that
Ross would escape the plague. Il feel
that his splendid vigor, combined with
the mountain air, will carry him
through, even if he should prove not
to be immune. l shall run up again
day after tomorrow. | shall be very
anxious. What a nuisance that the
telephone line is not extended to this
point. Ross has been insisting on its
value for months"
Lee saw the doctor go with some
dismay. Young as be was, he was at
least a reed to cling to in case the
grisly terror seized upon the ranger.
Mr.. Redfield, can't you send a real
doctor? 1t seems so horrible to be
left here without Instructions"
The forester, before going, again be-
sought Cavanagh not to abandon his
work in the forestry service and init
mated that at the proper time Id
vancement would be offered him. THE
whole policy is but beginning" said
he, land a practical ranger with your
experience and education will prove Of
greatest value"
To this Ross made reply: "At the
moment feel that no promise Of adj
vancement could keep me in this cOun-
try of grafters, poachers and assassins.
I'm weary of it and all it stands for.
However, If l could aid in extending
the supervision of the public ranges
and in stopping forever this murder
nnd 1,1nn;n~ fhnf no M nYJfcidn tho