The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-04-01
. Ranger
By HAMLlN GARLAND

Copyrifht. I0Io. by IIsmlIn GAfIsna


voice deepened Say. believe It was
Edwards. and. Furthermore. Edwards
is the convict that Texas marshal was
after the other day. and this muu
Cevanagh-your prize ranger--is har.
boring him"
what ,noneenser" exclaimed Red.
! field.
TIE sheriff banged his hand upon
the table That's the whole mystery
I see II all now He's up there con
cealing this man. He's given out this
smallpox scare just to keep the Off
GERS away from him. Now you've got
itr
The thunder in his voice drew to-
ward him all those who remained IN
the dining room. and Lee found her.
self ringed about by dozen excited
men. but she did not 6inch. She was
too deeply concerned over Cavanagh's
! fate to be afraid. and besides. Red
Geld and the forester were beside her
The supervisor was staggered by
Gregg's accusation and by certain con
firmatory facts in his own possession.
but he defended Cavanagb bravely.
you're crazy" he replied. "why
should Ross DO such a foolish thing
] What Is bis motive7 What interest
would he have IN this man Edwards,
whom you call a tramp7 He can't he
relative and certainly not a friend
of Cavansghs. for you say be Is a
convict. Come. now. your hatred of
! Cavanagb has gone too far"
Gregg was somewhat cooled by this
dash of reason. but replied: 81 don't
know what relation he Is. but these
are facts. He's concealing an escaped
convict. and he knows It."
Dalton put in a quiet word. "what
Is the use Of shouting Judgment
against a man like Cavanagh before
you know the factsY Hes one OF the
best and ablest rangers on this forest.
don't know why he has resigned.
but I'm sure
! yrHNs be resignedf' asked Grggs ca.
gerly.
"A good Job fer-hfm. was about to
circdlateia petition to have bimr re.
moved"
III al the stockmen in the valley
had signed petition agdInst' hlm II
|, wouldn't have dope any, good re.
piled Dalton. 1--WE know n good ma n
when we see him. I'm here 10 offer
him promotion. not to punish him"
! Lee. looking about at the faces OF
these men and seeing disap ppointment
In their faces. Host the keen sting OF
ber own humiliation. lin the midst OF
such fight as this how can he give
time or thought TO me7' Painful as
the admission was. she was forced to
| admit that she was a very humble
factor In a very large campaign. "But
| suppose he falls mr. Her face grew
white and set and her lips bitter
"That would be the inal tragic touch. -
she thought. ITO have him come down
Of q plague from nursing one of Sam
Gregg's sheep herders." Aloud she
said: His resignation comes Just in
time. doesn't It? He can now be sick
without loss to the service"
Dalton answered her THE super.
visor has not accepted his resignation
On the contrary, | shall offer him a
higher position. His career as for
ester Is only beginning. He would be
foolish to give up the work now. when
the avenues Of promotion are Just
opening can offer him very soon
the supervision of forest"
/ As they talked Lee felt herself sink.
ing the while her lover rose II was
all true The forester was right
Ross was capable OF any work they
might demand Of him. He was too
skilled. too intelligent, too manly. TO
remain In the forest, heroic as its du-
ties seemed, l.s
Upon this discussion Lize. hubbling
painfully. appeared With cry OF
surprise Lee rose to meet her
Mother. you must not do this"
She waved her away, I'm all
right" she said. barring the big mar
bles In my slippers" Then she turned
Ia Dalton, Now, what's II all about
Is It true that Ross Is down."
mo. SO far as we know. he is
veil"
well, I'm going to find out don't
intend TO set here and have him up
there without cook or a nurse"
Al this moment n tall. fair young
follow dressed in n rangers uniform,
entered the room and made his way
directly to the spot where Lee. her
mother and Redheld were standing
MT Supervisor Cavanagh has sent
me to tell you that he needs a doctor.
He's got sick man up at the station
and he's afraid It's case OF small
pox" He turned to Lee, "He told
me TO tell you that he would have
written. only he was afraid to even
send letter out" .,- o.
what does he needi' asked Red
deld .,.fe,t
"He needs medicine and food. a doc
tor. and he ought 10 have a nurse"
That's my job" said Lize.
NONSENSE" said Redheld. You're
not tit to ride mile. won't hear OF
your going"
"You walt and see I'm going. and
you cant stop me-"
"Who is the man with him?' asked
the forester