Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1911-07-20

THE PEsTHoUsE.
0AvANAGH had kept 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. II don't want Lee Virginia to
know. but II l seem liable to fade out
I'd like Lie to be told that didn't
forget her and that | came back to
find out how she was. l hate to be a
nuisance to you. and so Ill go down
the valley If you say So"
AS he was about 70 turn In that
night Ross heard a 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?'
"a 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 sick man inside
Who are you. and what can 1 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. I'm
from Deer Creek"
II know you," responded the ranger
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 a whim-
per- I'm 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. / was dragged into 1t
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
/ want to tell you what / know, only
l 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 COM
plete sincerity in the rancher's choked
and hesitant utterance, and Cavanagh
turned cold with premonition of what
he was about to disclose. 81 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 a
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 I'll tell you. can't
bear it any longer!" he walled. IT
must tell somebody. / can't sleep, and
/ can't eat. I've been like man in
in the killing-I didn't even see It done
but I knew 1t was going to happen.
I saw the committee appointed. The
meeting that decided 1t was held in
my barn, but didn't know what they
intended to do You believe me, don't
you" He peered up at Cavanagh with
white face and wild eyes. I'm over
seventy years Of age, Mr.. Cavanagh,
and I've been q law abiding citizen all
my life"
His mind, shattered by the weight Of
his CHASTITY secret was in confusion,
and, perceiving this, Cavanagh began
to question him gently. One by one
he procured the names Of those who
voted to deal with" the herders. One
by one be obtained also the list of
those named on "the committee Of re-