Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-23
Cavanagh, = Forest = Ranger
The Great Conserva-
ton Novel

thought and at last put his perplexity
into question. What am l to do?
I'm beginning to feel queer. l reckon
the chances for my having smallpox
are purity fair. Maybe I'd better drop
down to sulphur and report to the au-
thorities. I've got day or two be-
fore the blossoms will begin to show
on me-"
Cavanagh studied him closely. Now,
don't get to thinking you've got It.
don't see how you could attach a
germ. The high altitude and the
winds up there ought to prevent in
lection. I'm not afraid for myself.
but If you're able perhaps we'd better
pull out tomorrow"
Later in the day Wetherford express
ed deeper detection. II don't see any
thing ahead Of me anyhow" he con-
fessed. If go back to the pen I'll
die of lung trouble. and l don't know
how I'm going to earn living In the
city. Mebbe the best thing could do
would be to take the pox and 60 un-
der. Pm afraid Of big towns" he con-
tinued. II always was, even when I
had money. Now that am old and
broke daren't go. No city for me-"
Cavanaghs patience gave way. But,
man, you can't stay here! I'm pack
ing up to leave. Your only chance
of getting out of the country is to 60
when I go and in my company" His
voice was harsh and keen. and the old
AcIA l&r al t,,k 10 H.
ply, and this sad silence moved Cav
anagh to repentance. His irritability
warned him of something deeply
changing in his own nature.
Approaching the brooding felOn, he
spoke gently and sadly. I'm sorry
for you. Wetherford. l sure am, but
it's up to you to get clear away so that
Lee will never by any possible chance
find out that you are alive She has
a romantic notion Of you as a repre-
sentative of the old time west. and 1t
would be a dreadful shock to her If
she knew you as you are It's hard to
leave her, l know, now that you've
seen her, but that's the manly thing to
do-the only thing to do"
"Oh. you're right-of course you're
right. But l wish could be of some
use to her. l wish could kind of keep
watch over her. I'd be glad enough to
play the scullion in her kitchen. But
If you're going to take her.
But I'm not" protested Ross. I'm
going to leave her right here. l can't
take her.
Wetherford looked at him with
steady eyes. into which keen light
leaped. Don't you intend to marry
herr"
Ross turned away. mo; l don't
mean 1t is impossible"
"Why not? Don't tell me you're al
ready married?' He said this with
menacing tone.
mo; I'm not married, but He
stopped without making his meaning
plain. Pm going to leave the country
and
Wetherford caught him up 81 reck-
on ! understand what you mean. You
consider Lie and me undesirable par
ents-not just the kind you'd cut out OF
the herd of your own free will. Well
that's all right. l don't blame you SC
far as I'm concerned. But you can for
get me-consider me a dead one. I'll
never bother her nor you"
Cavanagh threw out an impatient
hand. 1T is impossible" he protest
ed, Its better for her and better for
me that l should do So I'm going
back to my own people,"
Wetherford was thoroughly reused
now. Some part of his old time fire
seemed to return to him. He rose from
his chair and approached the ranger
firmly. I've seen you act like man
Ross Cavanagh. You've been good
partner these last few days-a son
couldn't have treated me better-and
hate to think Ill of you. But my Cir
loves you'll could see that could
see her lean to you"
Ross said slowly: 1T will be hard
for you to understand when l tell you
that care great deal for your daugh
ter. but a man like mean Englishmar
cannot marry, or he ought not to
marry-for himself alone. There are sc
many others to consider-his friends
his sisters
Wetherford dropped his hand. 81
see" His tone was despairing "Wher
was young we married the girls We
loved in defiance of everything Blu
you are not that kind. You may bt
right. I'm nothing but debilitatet
old cowpuncher branded by the state
a man who threw away his chance
but l can tell you straight I've Learned
that nothing but the love of woman
counts"
In the meantime Lee Virginia wait
ed with increasing impatience To-
Ross Cavanagh's return expectin,
each noon to see him appear at tn,
door. But when three days passed
without word or sign from him he
uneasiness deepened into alarm. Thu
whole town was profoundly excitet