The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-20
CAVANAGH.
 Forest Ranger
 THE GREAT CONSERVATION NOVEL
By HAMLIN GARLAND
llaliilIIlIIitlIIIl
Copyright. 1910, by Hamlin Garland

The sheIIn insisted. Tom said Il was an old mana stranger to him tall, smooth shaven, not very strong he said--'peared to be a cook. He had helped nurse the dago, so Tom said"
 '"Thats. very curious" unused Red field. '.There isn't an old man in the service of this forest. There's a mis- take somewhere"
 "Well," concluded Gregg, that's what he said. I thought at first i, might be that old hobo Edwards, bur this feller being in uniform and smootl shaven''- His face changed; his voice deepened. Say, believe it wac Edwards, and, furthermore, EdwardH is the convict that Texas marshal was after the other day, and ;, this man Cavanagh--your prize ranger-is har- boring him."
 What nonsensev' exclaimed Red field.
 Tie sheriff banged his hand upon the table. That's the whole mystery. I see it all now. He's up there con cealing this man. He's given out this smallpox scare just to keep the off cers away from him. Now you've got it.'
 The thunder in his voice drew to- ward him all those who remained in self ringed about by dozen excited men, but she did not finch. She was too deeply concerned over Cavanagh's fate to be afraid, and, besides, Red field and the forester were beside her.
 The supervisor was staggered by 0aegg's accusation and by certain con- firmatory facts in his own possession, You're crazy" he replied. ''Why should Ross do such foolish thing What is his motive? What interest would he have in this man Edwards, E whom you call a tramp2 He can't be a relative and certainly not "a friend of Cavanagh's, for you say he is a convict. Come, now, your hatred of Cavanagh has gone too far"
 Gregg was somewhat cooled by this dash of reason, but replied: T don't know what relation he is, but these
 
 f convict, and he knows it." -
 Dalton put in quiet word. "What is the use of shouting Judgment : against a man like Cavanagh' before you know the facts?' He's one of the best and ablest rangers on this forest don't know, why he has resigned. but I'm sure'- .sf # s,;.-= q
 ''Has he resignedy' asked Gregg ca gerly.
 "He has," ,@
 "A good job for him. was about to circulate a petition to have him re- moved"
 eff all the stockmen in the valley had signed petition against him it wouldn't have done any good,"' re- piled Dalton. .@We know good man when we see him. I'm here to offer him promotion, not to punish him."
 Lee, looking about at the faces of these men and seeing disappointment in their faces, lost the keen sting of her own humiliation. -.In the midst of such fight as this how can he give time. or thought to mey' Painful as the admission was, she was forced to admit that she was very humble factor in very large campaign. 'But suppose he falls illr' Her face grew white and set and her lips bitter. ''That would be the final tragic touch,' ' she thought. "to have him come down of a piague from nursing one of San, Gregg's sheep herders" Aloud she said: "Hts 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 a for ester is only beginning. He would. be foolish to give up the work now, when the avenues of promotion are just opening. I can offer him very soon the supervision of forest."' As they talked Lee felt herself sink ing the while her lover rose. It 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.
 Upon this discussion Lize, hobbling l painfully, appeared. With cry of surprise Lee rose to meet her. .A Mother, you must not do thisr' She waved her away. r"Pm all
 right" she said, barring the big mar,
 bles in my slippers Then she turned to Dalton. Now, what's it all about
 Is it true that Ross is down?' "No. So far as we know, be is we'll"
 "Well, Pm going to find cut. Idon't intend to set here and have him ur there without cook or nurse" At this moment a tall, fair young fellow, dressed in a rangers uniform entered the room and made his way l directly to the spot where Lee, heI mother and Redfield were standing
 "Mr. Supervisor. Gavanagh has sent me to tell you that be needs 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 a letter out.''
 What does he need?" asked Red | field.
 "He needs medicine and food, a doc tor, and he ought to have a nurse." That's my job," said Lize. "NOnSenSev' said Redfeld. You're