The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-03-18
CavarlaQIl.
-
The Great Conserva-
tion Novel
CHAPTER XIV.
PLAGUE AND MURDER.

4
anagh and wetherford entered
upon a wide and sterile slope
high on the rocky breast of
the great peak whose spintercd crest
lorded the range. Snow fields lay all
about, and n few feet higher up the
canyons were filed with ice. II was a
savage and tempest swept spot in
which to pitch tent. but there among
the rocks shivered the minute canvas
home of the shepherd, and close be-
side II. guarded by n lone dog and ly-
ing like a thick spread flock of rmy
powders almost unnoticcable in their
silent immobility) huddled the sheep.
"There's your house." shouted Ross
to Wetherford.
The older man, with white face Of
dismay. looked about him. unable 10
make reply.
Hello, therer shouted Ross, won.
derlng at the absence of human life
about the camp. Hello. the housed"
Receiving no answer to his hail. he
turned to Wetherford Looks as II
Ambro has pulled out and left the col.
lie to tend the flock He's been kind of
seedy for some days"
v.Dismounting. he approached the tent.
The collie. who knew him. seemed to
understand his errand. for he leaped
upon him as II to kiss his cheek. Ross
put him down gently You're almost
too glad 10 see me. old fellow. won
der how long you've been left here
alone"
Thereupon he opened the tied flap.
but started back with instant percep.
tion Of something wrong, for there, on
his pile of ragged quilts lay the
Basque herder. with flushed face and
rolling eyes, crazed with fever and en-.
tirely helpless. You'd better not come
IN here, Wetherford," Ross warned
Joe is here, horribly sick. and I'm
afraid it's something contagious. 1t
may be smallpox"
Wetherford recoiled step "Sma!l.
pox! What makes you think that?"
well, these Basques have been hav.
Ing 1t over In their settlement. and. be-
sides. 1t smells like it" He listened
III.
He's crazy with 1t. But he's human
being. and we can't let him die here
alone You rustic some wood for the
stove, and I'll see what can do for
him."
Wetherford was old and wasted and
thin blooded. but he had never been a
coward, and In his heart there still
burned a small flame OF his youthful,
reckless, generous daring. Pushing
Cavanagh one side, be said with firm
. decision: you keep out of there I'm
the one to play nurse. This is my
job"
"Nonsensel | am younger and
stronger than you"
Get awayw shouted the older man
Gregg hired me to do this work, aud
. 1t don't matter whether | live or die
But you've got something to do in the
world. My girl needs you. and she
don't need me, so get out of here and
stay out Go bring me that wood and
III go in and see hats the matter"
Cayanagh looked him in the face an
instant. Very well," said he, "I'll do
MS you say. There's no use of our
both taking chances"
Ii was beginning to rain, and the
tent was dark and desolate. but as the
fre in the little stove commenced to
snarl and the smoke to pour out OF
the pipe the small domiciIe took on
cheer Wetherford knew how to care
for the sick and in the shelter OF the
canvas wall developed unforeseen Wig.
or and decision. 1t was amazing to
Cavanagh TO witness his change OF
manner,
Soon pan OF water was steaming,
and some hot stones were at the sur
ferer's feet and when Wetherf,ad IN