The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-03-11


$50 far as anybody knows. he is."
"Well, he's no loss. knew him too
He was all kinds of fool. He got
on the wrong side Of the rustler line
up. Them wetherford womeni think
a whole lot of you. Pears like they'd
both fight for you. Are you sweet on
the glrlT tsse
Nov, see here, old man." Ross re.
torted sharply. you want to do lot
Of thinking before you comment on
Miss wetherford. won't stand for
any nasty clack."
Edwards meekly answered: II wasn't
going 10 say. anything out Of the way.
was fixing for to praise her."
"All the same, don't intend to dis
cuss her with you" was Cavanagh's
curt answer.
The herder fell back into silence
while the ranger prepared his bunk
for the night. The fact that he trans
ferred some of the blankets from his
| own bed to that OF his visitor did not
escape Edwards keen eyes. and with
grateful intent he said:
II can give you a tip, Mr.. Ranger"
said he, breaking out of q silence
"The triangle outfit Is holding more
cattle on the forest than their permits
call for"
How do you KNOW
~ heard one OF the boys Dragging
about It."
much obliged" responded Ross.
"Pll look into It."
Edwards went on; Furthermore,
they're fixing for another sheep kill
over there too All the sheepmen are
armed. That's why left the coun-
try. l don't want to run any more
chances of being shot up. I've had
enough of trouble. can't afford to
be hobnobbing with judges and juries
I'm just broken down old cowpunch.
er herdlng sheep in order to keep clear
OF tn liquor belt"
This seemed reasonable, and the
ranger rema rked by way Of dropping
the subject: I've nothing TO say fur
ther than this--obey the rules Of the
forest and you won't &c. into any fur
ther trouble with me. Ana as for
being shot up by the cowmen, you'll
not be disturbed on any national for
est There never has been single
herder shot nor sheep destroyed on
this forest"
Pm mighty glad to hear that" re-
piled Edwards. with sincere relief.
i've had my share Of shooting up
and shooting down. All | ask now is
quiet and the society Of sheep. take
a kind Of pleasure In protecting the
fool brutes. It's about all I'm good
for"
He did indeed look like q man In the
hnal year OF life as he spoke. Better
turn ill.," Cavanagh said In kindlier
tone. I'm an early riser"
The old fellow rose stifiy and. lay
ing aside his boots and trousers. rolled
into his bunk and was asleep In three
minutes. 1idl
Cavanagh himself was very tiret
and went to bed soon after to sleeI
dreamlessly I'LL daylight. He spranl
from his bed and after plunge in tn,
stream set about breakfast, while Ed
wards rose from his bunk groanlni
and signing and went forth to wran
gle the horses. rubbing his hands ant
shlvering as he met the keen edge o.
the mountain wind. When he returned
breakfast was ready. and again he eT
pressed his gratitude.
Haven't you any siickerT' aske(
, Cavanagh. 1T looks like rain"
mo; I'm run down pretty low" b,
replied. "Ihe truth Is, MIR. Ranger,
blew in all my wages at roulette las
. | week."
| Ross brought out a canvas coat. wei
. worn, but serviceable. Take thin
along with you. It's likely to storu
before we reach the sheep camp. AM
you don't look very strong. Yoa mus
' take care of yourself.'
n Edwards was visibly moved by thi
, | kindness. "Sure you can spare itr
; Certain sure; I've another" re
turned the ranger curtly.
q 1t was hardly more than sunrise a
, they mounted their ponies and starte
!. on their trail, which led sharply W
= ward after they left the canyon. Th
: wind was strong and singing cold.
3 Taking pity on Edwards. who wa
= shivering, Cavanagh turned of th
trail into a sheltered nook behind som
Q pine trees.
"How do you happen to be reduce
70 herding sheep?" he asked. "Yo
d look like man who has seen bette
days" ,Y
: Edwards, chatting his thin fingers (
e warm them, made reluctant answer
9 Its a long story, Mr. Ranger. and
Q concerns a whole lot OF other people
!. some of them decent folks-so L
q rather not go into It,"
I "John Barleycorn was involved,
reckon"
y "Sure thing. He's generally alway
in It,"
you'd better take my gloves. 1t
likely to snow in half an hour. G
. ahead. I'm younger man than yo
:, are"
The other made decent show OF r
: slstance, but finally accepted the offe
: saying: "You certainly are white
|, me. l want to apologize for makir
!, that attempt to sneak away that nigh
. | had powerful good reason for n