Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-23
Nv HAMLIN GARLAND
ceovri4f,t. 1910. By Hamlin Garland
Continued from page p d.

1na when / heard Of It I asked the
supervisor to bring me down to see
min He's too good man to lose"
"Why did he resignT"
"He seemed very bitter over the
chiefs dismissal. But l hope to per-
shade him to stay in the service. He's
roo valuable man to lose just now.
when the war Is SO hot. realize that
his salary is too small. But there are
other places for him. Perhaps when
he knows that have a special note
70 hims from the chief he will recon-
slider. He's quite capable Of the su-
pervisor's position. and Mr.. Redfield Is
willing to resign in his favor. I'm
telling you all this because Mr.. Red
field has told me Of your interest in
Mr. Cavanagh, or, rather. his interest
in you"
Sam Gregg. entering the door at this
ers table. He was followed by the
sheriff, a bearded old man with soil
ed collar and dim eye.
Gregg growled out, you'd better
keep your man Cavanagh in the hills.
Mr.. Forester. or somebody will take a
pot shot at him."
"Why, what's neww
His assistant is down with small
pox."
"Smallpoxw exclaimed Dalton.
Every jaw was fixed and every eye
turned upon the speaker.
"SmallpOxw gasped Lee.
Gregg resumed. enjoying the sensa-
ton he was creating. Eyes. that
Basque herder of mine, the one up
near Black Tooth, sent word he was
SICK so l hunted up an old tramp by
the name Of Edwards to take his place
Edwards found the dago dying of pox
and skipped out over the range. leav-
ing him to die alone. Cavanagh went
up and found the dago dead and took
care of him. Result is he's full Of
germs and has brought his apprentice
down with it, and both Of 'em must be
quarantined right where they are"
"Good heavens, man." exclaimed
Dalton, 'this is serious business! Are
you sure it's smallpox
Zone Of my men came from there
last night. I was there myself on
Monday; SO was the deputy. The sher-
if missed Tom this morning, but
reached him by phone, and Cavanagh
admitted to us that the Basque died
of smallpox and that he buried him
with his own hands,"
The sheriff spoke up. 1.-THE criminal
part of Ii is this, Mr.. Dalton-Cava-
nagh didn't report the case when he
came down here. just when about leav-
ing trail of poison. Why didn't he
report it? He should be arrested"
"Wait moment" said Dalton. "Per-
haps it wasn't pox; perhaps it was only
mountain fever Cavanagh is not the
kind of man to involve others in a
pestilence. l reckon he knew 1t was
nothing but a fever, and. not wishing
to alarm his friends. he just slid into
town and out again"
flash of light. of heat, Of Joy, went
through Lees heart as she listened to
Dalton's defense of Cavanagh. THAT
was the reason why he rode away
she thought. HE was afraid of bring
ing harm to u.s." And this conviction
lighted her face with smile even
while the forester continued his sup
position by saying, "Of course proper
precautions should be taken. and us
We are going up there the supervisor
and will see that a quarantine is es-
tablished If we find it necessary
Gregg was not satisfied. "Cavanagh
admitted to the deputy and to me that
ne believed the case to be smallpox
and said that he had destroyed the
camp and everything connected with
yet he comes down here. injecting ev.
erybody he meets" He turned to Lee
You'd better burn the bed he slept
on. He's left trail of germs wher.
ever he went. l say the man Is Grim
1nally liable and should be jailed II
he lives to get back to town."
Lees mind was off now on another
tangent. Suppose it is true?" sh'
asked herself. Suppose he has falleI
SICK away up there. miles and mile:
from any nurse or Doctor
There's something queer about thu
whole business" pursued Gregg "Fo
instance. who Is this assistant he:
got! johnson said there was an OLE
man In ranger uniform pottering round
Why didn't he send word by him
Why did he let me come to the door
lie might have involved me in the dis
ease. tell you. IL you don't take carr
OF him the people of the county WILL
The forester looked grave IF n,
Knew 1t was smallpox and failed Il
report 1t he did wrong. but you sa!
ne took care Of this poor shepherd
nursed him till he died and buried
MIN, taking ali precautions. You can
complain of that. can you? That
the act Of good ranger and Draw
man. You wouldn't have done it, b.
ended. addressing Gregg. "Sicknes
up there two full miles above sea leve