Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-31
CHAPTER XIX.

~AVANAGH had kept a keen
watch over Wetherford. and
4 when one night the old man
began to complain Of the
ache in his bones his decision was in.
stant
you've got it," he said. It's 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. Il don't want Lee Virginia to
know, but if | 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. hate to be
nuisance to you. and so I'll go down
the valley If you say So"
AS he was about to 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 thereT
"a friend" replied the stranger in a
weak voice.
Ross permitted the visitor to ride up
to the pole Il can't ask you in," he
explained "rve sick man inside
Who are you. and what can | 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 | saw working
In the ditch the day | 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 a 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. l was dragged into it
against my will. I've come to you be-
cause you're an officer of the federal
law. You don't belong here. trust
you. You represent the president, and
l want to tell you what know. only
l want you to promise not to bring me
| into it. I'm man with a family, and
can't bear to have them know the
truth"
There were deep agitation and com
plete sincerity in the ranchers choked
and hesitant utterance. and Cavanagh
turned cold with premonition of what
| he was about to disclose. II am not
an officer of the law. Mr.. Dunn. not in
the sense you mean. but I 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 1t. Everybody knows that. But
can't trust the officers of this country
they're all afraid of the cowboys. You
are not afraid, and yp-1 represent the
United States, and I'll tell you. | can't
bear it any longer" he walled. II
must tell somebody can't sleep, and
| can't eat. I've been like a man in
nightmare ever since. had no hand
in the killing-I didn't even see it done
but l knew 1t was going to happen.
/ saw the committee appointed. The
meeting that decided it 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 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
be 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-