The Marshall republican., 1911-07-06
CHAPTER NIX.
THE rrsTHousE.

~ - thtbtbs
OAvANAGu had kept n keen
watch ovcr wethcrford. aud
when one night the old man
began to complain OF the
ache IN his bones his decision was In
slant.
to us to move down the valley tomOr.
row."
Wcthcrford protested that lie would
rs soon die In the hills rs In the val
Icy. II don't want lee Virginia Ia
know. but II I seem liable Co fade out
I'd like Lie 10 I've told that ! didn't
forget her aud that | came back TO
find out how Shc n | hate to he a
nuisance 20 you. aud so Ill 60 down
the valley " you say So"
As he was about TO turn I'm that
night Ross heard u horse cross the
bridge and. with intent TO warn the
rider OF his danger. went TO the door
and called out: Halt! who's thcrcY'
"A friend" replied the stranger IN n
weak voice.
Ross permitted the visitor TO ride up
to the pole. II can't nsk you In" he
explained. rive u sick man inside.
Who are you. and what cnn ! do for
your"
Notwithstanding this warning the
rider dropped from his saddle and
came Into the light which strcamcd
from the door. .
"My name In Dunn" he began. I'm
from Deer Creek"
II know you" responded the ranger.
you're TINT rancher l saw working
In the ditch the day ! went 10 tele.
phone. and you've come 10 tell me
something about that murder"
The other man broke into u whlm-
per. I'm n law abiding man. Mr.. Cav.
anagh." he began TREMENDOUSLY. I've
always kept the law and nev Intend.
cd 20 have anything 20 do With that
business. ! was dragged Into u
against my will. I've come TO you be-
cause you're nm officer OF the federal
law. You don't belong here. trust
you. You represent the president. and
! want 20 tell you what ! know. only
! want you 10 promise not TO bring me
into II. I'm a man with a family. and
I can't bear to have them know the
truth"
There were deep agitation and com
plete sincerity In the rancher's choked
and hcsltnnt uttcrance. and Cavanngh
turned cold with n ~prcmonition OF what
he was about 10 disclose. II am not
an officer Of the law. Mr.. Dunn. not n
the sense you mean. but ! viii respect
your wishes"
~ kaow that you are not an officer
Of the county law, but you're not a
cattleman. II is your business TO KEEP
the peace In the wild country, aud you
do II. Everybody knows that. But
can't trust the officers OF this country,
they're all afraid Of the cowboys. You
are not afraid. and you represent the
United States, and I'll tell you. ] cant
tear 1t any longer!" he walled. 81
must tell somebody. ! can't sleep, and
I can't eat. I've been like a man In
a nightmare ever since. ! had no hand
IN the killing-I didn't even see II done
but / knew 1t was going to happen
I saw the committee appointed. TIL,
meeting that decided Il was held II
my barn, but | didn't know what they
Intended to do. You believe me, don
your" He peered up at Cavanagh Will
white face and wild eyes. I'm owe
seventy years OF age, Mr.. Cayanagh
and I've been a law abiding citizen al
! my life"
His mind. shattered by the weight o.
his CHASTITY secret, was In confusion
and, perceiving this, Cayanagh begaI
| to question him gently. One by on
he procured the names OF those VIII
! voted to IDEAL with" the herders. On
by one be obtained also the list O
: hose named on "the committee of re
prisal," and as the broken man deliy
: cred himself Of these accusing fact
he grew calmer. II didn't know
couldn't b~elieve--that the men on tina
Q committee could chop and burn Ill
{ utterance failed him again. and he re
silent abruptly.
4 'They must have been drunk-ma
drunk" retortcd Cavanagh. And ye
4 who would believe that even drin
could indnme white mel to such devil
Z work? When did you hrst know whu
Z had been done2"
THAT night after It was done one Q
the . my neighbor. who was draw
on the committee. came ia my hous
!. and asked. mo TO give him y bed. II
was afraid 70 80 home. 7 can't &c
ny vile and children p ssid. y