The Marshall republican., 1911-05-26

TN HRR fATHEBp
stoop. His voice was firm II merely
want to say that II you fool that CIR.
I'll kill you"
Ross stared at him. quite convinced
that he had gone entirely mad. That's
mighty cbIvnlrous OF you. Mr. sheep
uerder." he replied cuttingly. but I'm
at n loss to understand this sudden In.
dignation on your part"
"You needn't be. I'm her father"
Cavanagh fairly reeled before this
retort. His head rang as II he had
been struck with n club. He per
ceivcd the truth OF the mans words
instantly lie gasped. Good God.
man. are you I'D wetberfordT"
The answer was quicS. That's who
I am Then his voice hanged. But
I don't want the women 60 know I'm
alive. I didn't intend to let anybody
know IT, Al the anne l mean IL. II
you or any man tries TO abuse her I'll
kill hims i've loaded her up with
trouble. as you say. but I'm going TO
do what I can TO protect her now that
I'm In the county again" b
Ross. confused by this new compli.
cation In the life OF the girl he was be-
ginning to love. stared at his comban.
ion In dismay. Was II not enough that
virginia's mother should be a slattcrn
and q termagnntf At asst he spoke.
where have you been all these
yearsf"
I'm the Texas pen served nine
years there
what forT"
shooting a man. IL was a case Of
self defense. but his family had more
money and influence than I did, so ]
went down the road. As 500 as ! got
out ! started north-just the way a
dog win point toward home. I didn't
intend TO come here. but some way
couldn't keep away, I SHE'D around
the outskirts Of the Fork. picking up
odd Jobs OF sheep herding Just to have
time 20 turn things over. I know
what you're thinking a~bout-you're
saying TO yourself. Well. here's a nice
father.in.awt Well. now. I don't
know anything about your people. but
the wetherfords are as good as any.
body. IL I hadn't come out into this
cursed country. where even ONE so
shooting Wild. ! would have been In
congress- but. being hot headed. ]
must mix IN. I'm not excusing my.
self. you understand. Tn not 4 desir
able addition TO any mans collection
OF friends. but ] can promise you this
nc n but yourself shall ever know
Who I am. At the same time. you can't
deceive my girl without my being
named In the funeral that will follow"
"You are only u distant and roman.
tic figure to Lea part OF the dead
past" said Cavanagh. "she remem-
bers you as a bold rider and a won.
drously brave and chivalrous father"
"She must never know. You must
promise 10 tell her"
al promise that" Cavanagh said. and
Edwards went on:
IF l could bring something to her
prove TO her I'm still a man-it might
do to tell her. but I'm a branded man
now and an old man, and there's no
hope for me. ! worked In n Of the
machine shops down there. aud II took
the life out of me. Then, too, I left a
bad name here In the Fork. l know
that. Those big cattlemen fooled me
into taking their side Of the war. !
staked everything l had on them. and
then they railroaded me out Of the
county. So. you see. I'm double cross
IA 40 .aasear .ha.a ~
Every word he uttered made more
apparent to Cavanagh that Lee vir'
ginia would derive nothing but pain
and DISAGREEMENT from a knowledge
that her father lived. 'She must be
spared this added burden Of shameful
Entertained" he decided.
The other man seemed to under.
stand something Of the rangers indig'
nant pity. for he repeated: IL want
you to not to let Lee know I'm
alive, no matter what comes. She
must not be saddled with my record,
Let her 20 on think,ug well Of me
Give me your word" he held a an
insistent psim.
Ross yielded his hand, and In spite
Of himself his tenderness for the bro
ken man deepencd. The sky was dark
ening In the west, and. with q glance
upward. he said, II reckon we'd better
make your camp soon or yourl b
chilled to ehs hone"
They meuntsd hastily and rode
away, sachs fsoiing that biz rsaa11on'
ship 10 M othsr had ccmpAeto6y
'Ishsu~,A W1nsh.rAnxA marvoHnA orou