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

take It again, so toddle back It's
mighty good OF you and Of Lee to
come, but there isn't thing you can
do, and here's the doctor" he added
as he recognized the young student
who passed for a physician in the
Fork. He was a beardless youth Of
small experience and no great cour-
age, and as he approached with hesi-
| tRnt feet he asked:
"Are You sure it's smallpox"
Cavanagh smiled 1.-The indications
are all that way. That last importa-
don of Basques brought it probably
from the steerage OF the ship. I'm
told they've had several cases over In
the basin"
ssHRve You been vaccinatedr'
aYes, when was In the army" s;
ssThen you're all right"
Ell hope SOD
There was a certain comic relief In
this long distance diagnosing of a
cease" by boy. and yet the tragic
fact beneath 1t all was that Wether-
ford was dying, broken and dishon-
ored husband and father. and that his
identity must be concealed from his
wife and daughter, who were much
more deeply concerned over the ran
ger than over the desperate condition
Of bis patient. "And this must con-
tinue to be So" CaYanagh decided.
And as he stood there looking toward
the girls fair figure on the bridge he
came to the final, fixed determination
never to speak one word or make a
Eign that might lead to the dying
mans identification. "Of what use is
stY' he asked himself. why should
even Lie be made TO suffer? Wether-
ford's poor misspent life IL already
over for her, and for Lee he Is only q
dim memory"
Redfeld came near enough to see
that the rangers face, though tired,
showed no sign Of Illness and was re-
lieved. who is this old herderT no
asked. Hasn't he any relatives IN
the country?
HE came from Texas, so he said.
You're not coming INF" he broke on
to say to the young physician, whom
Lie had shamed into returning to the
cabin.
81 suppose III have to-" he protest.
ed weakly.
'sI don't see the need of II. 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. 1
must consider their welfare"
The young fellow was relieved
"Well, so long as we know what It is
can prescribe just as well right
here" he said and gave directions for
the treatment, which the ranger agreed
to carry out.
II tried to bring a nurse" explained
Redf1eld. but couldn't find anybody
but old Lie who would come"
II don't blame them" replied Ross.
st isn't 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
shame7 Edward Wetherford's disor-
dered life is near its 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 bis
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 IL necessary, "
he declared. with fuller revelation OF
the self sacrificing depth of her love
''and she would come to my side this
moment If called her"
He went back to his repulsive serv.
camp of faithful friends on the other
side Of the stream.
During one Of his clearest moments
Wetherford repeated his wish to die Q
stranger. I'm going out like the old
time west 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 to change his
hopeless tone proved unaFailing. En-
feebled by his hardships and his pris
on life, ne had little reserve force upor
which to draw In fighting such an en-
envy. He sank soon after this little
speech into a coma which continued
to hold him in its unbroken grasp as
night fell
Meantime. seeing no chance Of aid
ing the ranger, Redfield and the for
ester prepared to return, but Lee, re
enforced by her mother, refused to &C
. company them II shall stay here
she said. till he is safely out of it
till know that he is beyond all dan
ger"