Semi-weekly herald., 1911-03-13
CHAPTER MIL


of the girls light feet as she
u went across the hall to her
mothers room, and moment later he
heard the low murmur of her voice
Throwing off his blankets and making
such scant toilet as he needed. he
stepped into the hall and waited for
her to return.
Soon she came toward him, smile
of confidence and pleasure on her lips.
How is she?" he asked.
"Quite comfortable"
"And you?" His voice was very ten
der.
Il am little tired" she acknowl-
edged. Il didn't sleep very we'll"
You didn't sleep at ALL" he declared
regretfully.
"Oh, yes, I did" she replied brightly
These two ardent souls confronted
each other In absorbed silence with
keener perception, with new daring,
with new intimacy. till he recalled
himself with effort. you must let me
help you II there's anything | can do.
Remember, I'm your big brother"
II remember" she answered smiling
ly, "and I'm going out to see what my
big brother is to have for breakfast"
Cavanagh found the street empty,
silent and utterly commonplace. He
went forth to his duties with a deep
ened conviction of the essential law
lessness of the state and of America In
general, for this spirit of mob law
was to be found In some form through.
out the land. He was dlsgusted. but
not beaten. His resolution to carry out
the terms of his contract with the
government remained mistaken.
He carried with him also final
disturbing glimpse of Eliza Wether-
ford's girl that did indeed threaten his
peace of mind. There was an invol-
untary appeal. wistful depth, to her
glance which awakened in him an In
dignant pity and also blew into flame
something not so creditable-some-
thing which smoldered beneath his
conscious will. She had not escaped
her heritage of passion. and her
glances, innocent as they were, reused
even In him something lawless.
His pony plodded slowly, and the
afternoon was half spent before he
came in sight Of the long, low log cab
In which was the only home he pos
sessed in all America. For the first
time since he built it the station Seem
ed lonely and disheartening. Would
any woman for love of me come to
such a hearthstone" he asked him
self. And IL she consented to do so
could l be so selfish as to exact such
sacrifcef No; the forest ranger In
these attitudes must be young and
heart free; otherwise his life would be
miserably solitary"
He was just dlshing out his rude
supper when the feet OF u horse on
the log bridge announced visitor.
With feeling OF pleasure as well
as relief he rose to greet the stranger.
ANY visitor is welcome this night"
he said.
The horseman proved to be his for
mer prisoner, the old man Edwards.
who slipped from his saddle with the
never falling grace Of the COW man
and came slowly toward the cabin.
He smiled wearily as he said: 'I'm on
your trail, Mr.. Ranger. but bear no
malice. You were doing your duty.
Can you tell me how far 1t is to Am
bros campP
There was something forlorn In the
mans attitude, and Cavanaghs heart
softe1ed. Turn your horse into the
corral and come to supper" he com
manded with western bluntness.
"We'll talk about all that later"
Edwards accepted his hospitality
without hesitation. "pm going up to
take Ambro's place." he began after a
few minutes of silent eating Know
wnere his camp is?'
Il do" replied Ross, to whom the
stranger now appeared In pathetic
g1ise. ANY man Of his age consent
ing to herd sheep is surely hard hit by
the rough hand Of the world" he rea-
soned, and the closer he studied his
visitor the palmer he felt his ungov.
erned past
81 suppose Gregg paid your 6ne?" he
said.
"Yes."
'In any other town In the state you'd
have gone down the line"
He reused himself "See here, Mr.
Ranger. you've no warrant to believe
me. but told you the truth. Young
| Gregg got me to ride into the range