The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1911-06-02


amp Then his voice changed. But
I don't want the women to know I'm
alive. didn't intend to let anybody
know It. All the same, mean It. II
you or any man tries to abuse her I'll
kill himl I've loaded her up with
trouble, as you say, but I'm going to
do what can to protect her now that
I'm In the county again."
Ross, confused by this new compli-
cation in the life Of the girl he was be-
ginning to love, stared at his compan-
ion in dismay. Was 1t not enough that
virginia's mother should be slattern
and a termagant? At last he spoke,
"Where have you been all these
years7"
"1n the Texas 'pen.' served nine
years there"
"What for?"
shooting a man. It was a case Of
self defense, but his family had more
money and influence than did, 30
went down the road. As soon as got
out started north-just the way
dog will point toward home. didn't
intend to come here, but some way I
couldn't keep away. I SHE'D around
the outskirts Of the Fork, picking up
odd Jobs of sheep herding Just to have
time to turn things over. know
what you're thinking about-you're
saying to yourself, Well, here's nice
father-in-lawr Well, now, I don't
know anything about your people. but
the Wetherfords are as good as any
body. II hadn't come out into this
cursed country, where even women go
shooting wild, would have been in
congress-; but, being hot headed, !
must mix in. I'm not excusing my
self, you understand. I'm not desir-
able addition to any mans collection
Of friends, but can promise you this
mo one but yourself shall ever know
who ! am. At the same time, you can't
deceive my girl without my being
named in the funeral that will follow"
"You are only a distant and roman
tic figure to Lee-a part Of the dead
past" said Cavanagh. "She remem-
bers you as bold rider and won
drously brave and chivalrous father"
"She must never know. You must
promise never to tell her."
II promise that" Cavanagh said, and
Edwards went on:
If could bring something to her
prove to her I'm still man--it might
do to tell her, but I'm branded man
now and an old man, and there's no
hope for me. worked In one Of the
machine shops down there, and it took
the life out Of me- Then, too, left q
bad name here in the Fork. know
that. Those big cattlemen fooled me
into taking their side Of the war. ]
staked everything had on them, and
then they railroaded me out Of the
county. So. you see, I'm double Cross
ed, no matter where turn"
Every word he uttered made more
apparent to Cavanagh that Lee vir
ginia would derive nothing but pair
and DISAGREEMENT from knowledge
that her father lived. "She must bs
| DpuIcu tuib udueu UuIucA VI buumClu
Inheritance" he decided.
The other man seemed to under
stand something Of the rangers indig
nant pity, for he repeated: II want
you to swear not to let Lee know I'm
alive, no matter what comes. She
must not be saddled with my record
Let her go ON thinking well of me
Give me your word" He held out m
inslstent palm.
Ross yielded his hand. and in spite
Of himself his tenderness for the bro
ken man deepened. The sky was dark
ening in the west, and, with a glance
upward, he said, II reckon we'd betteI
make your camp soon or you'll bt
chilled to the BONE"
They mounted hastily and rode
away, each feeling that his relation
ship to the other had completely
changed wetherford marveled ovel
the evident culture and refinement o.
the ranger. Hes none too good fo1
her, no matter who he is." he said.