Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-03
CHAPTER XIV.
PLAGUE AND MURDER.

Y UPON leaving timber line Cav
anagh and Wetherford entered
upon a wide and sterile slope
~ high on the rocky breast of
the great peak whose splintered crest
lorded the range Snow fields lay all
about, and few feet higher up the
canyons were filled with ice. 1t was
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 it, guarded by lone dog and ly-
ing like thick spread flock of rimy
powders almost unnoticeable in their
silent immobilty) huddled the sheep.
"There's your house." shouted Ross
to Wetherford
The older man, with white face of
dismay. looked about him, unable to
make reply.
Hello, therer' shouted Ross. won
dering at the absence of human life
about the camp. Hello, the house"
Receiving no answer to his hail. he
turned to Wetherford Looks as if
Ambro has pulled out and left the col
| lie to tend the flock. He's been kind of
seedy for some days"
Dismounting, he approached the tent
The collie, who knew him. seemed to
understand his errand, for he leaped
upon him as if to kiss his cheek Ross
put him down gently. You're almost
| too glad to 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 recoied step. :Small-
pox! What makes you think that?"
"Well, these Basques have been hav-
ing it over in their settlement, and be-
SIDES 1t smells like it." He listened a
moment Pm afraid Joes in for it..
He's crazy with it. But he's human
being, and we can't let him cte 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 small flame of his Youthful.
reckless, generous daring. Pushing
Cayanagh one side, he said with firm
decision: you keep out of there I'm
the one to play nurse. This is my
job"
Nonsense! l am younger and
stronger than you"
Get away" shouted the older man.
Gregg hired me to do this work, and
it 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
I'll go in and see hats the matter"
Cayanagh looked him in the face an
instant. VERY WELL" said he, "I'll do
as yen say. There's no use of our
both taking chances"
1t was beginning to rain, and the
| tent was dark and desolate, but as the
fire in the little stove commenced to
snarI and the smoke to pour out of
the pipe the small domicle 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 suf-
| ferer's feet, and when Wetherford ap-