The Delta independent., 1911-05-26

he walked down to the bridge.
Swenson interposed his tall figure.
What do you want?" he asked blunt
ly. You don't want to get too close.
You've been talking to the ranger"
Hartley studied him coolly. Are you
a ranger too?"
mo. only II guard"
why are you leaving Cavanagh to
play 1t alone in there?"
Lee explained. He won't let any
of us come near him"
quite right retorted Hartley
promptly. They say smallpox has
lost its terrors. but when you're eight
hours hard trail from doctor or a
hospital it's still what I'd call for
midabe enemy However. Cavanagh's
immune. SO he says"
1--WE don't know that" Lee said.
and her hands came together in a
spasm of fear. Are you a doctor?"
No: I'm only a newspaper man. but
I've had lot Of experience with
plaques of all sorts-had the yellow
fever in Porto Rico and the typhoid in
South Africa: that's why I'm out here
ricochetting over the hills. But who
are you. may ask? You look like the
rose of Sharon"
My name Is Lee Wetherford." she
answered with childish directness. for
there was something compelling in the
mans voice and eyes. And this is
my mother She indicated Lie. who
was approaching.
You are not out here for your
health" he stated. rather thoughtful
ly. How happens it you're here?"
IL was born herein the Fork
His face remained expressionless
Il don't believe it. Can such maidens
come out of Roaring Fork? Nit! But
| don't mean that. What are you
doing up here in this wilderness?'
Lie took Il part in the conversation.
Another Inspector" she asked as she
numbered up.
That's me-" he replied-"Sherlock
Holmes. vidocq. all rolled into one"
My mother" again volunteered Lee
Hartley's eyes expressed increduiity.
but he did not put his feelings into
words, for he perceived in Lie type
with which he was entirely familiar
one 10 be handled with care. What
are you two women doing hereE Are
YOU related to one of these rangers!
Lie resented this. You're asking a
good many questions, Mr.. Man
That's my trade" was the un-
abashed reply, and lm not so old but
that | can rise to "A romantic situa-
lion" Thereupon he dropped all di-
rect Interrogation and with an air OF
candor told the story Of his mission
Lie, entirely sympathetic. Invited him
to lunch, and he was soon in posses
sion of their story, even to the tender
relationship between Lee Virginia and
the plague besieged forest ranger.
We're not SO nightly disinterest-
ed" he said. referring to his paper.
The Roundup represents the new
west In part. but to us the new west
means opportunity to loot water sites
and pile up unearned increment ON.
YES. we're on the side of the fruit and
alfalfa grower because 1t pays. III the
boss of my paper happened to be In
the sheep business. as Senator Blank
White Is, we would sing a different
tune. or IL | were u congressman rep
resenting u district Of cattlemen I'D be
very slow about helping to build up
any system that would make me pay
for my grass. AS 1t Is. I'm commits
stoned to make 1t hot for the ranch
ers that killed those dagoes. and I'm
going to do 1t. II this country had a
| man like Cavanagh for sheriff we'd
have the murderers In two days. He
knows who the butchers are. and I'd
| hi hnI D,,t ha' nnflaI dawn
here. and there's no hope of his get
ting away. A few men like him could
civilize this country"
Tbereupon he drew from three pairs
of lips a statement Of the kind OF man
Ross Cavanagh was. but most siGnih-
cant of all were the few words of the
girl. to whom this man of the pad and
| pencil was magician. capable of ex-
alting her hero and Of advancing light
and civilization by the mere motion OF
his hand She liked him and grew
more and more willing to communi
cate, and he, percelving In her some
thing unusual, fingered on. question
Ing Then he rose. II must be going,
he said to Lee. you've given me a
lovely afternoon"
Lee Virginia was all too ignorant OF
the ways Of reporters to resent his
note taking. and she accepted his
hand, believing him to be n sincere
admirer of her ranger. "What are yOu
going to do?" she asked
"Im going back to Sulphur to spread
the report Of Cavanagh's quarantine
Again that meaning smile. 81 dom
want any other newspaper men mixed
up In my game. I'm Lonesome Ned ir
stunts like this. and hope IL they dc
come up you'll be judiciously silent