Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-23
him. You must be right. don't be-
iieye MI. -Cayanagh would deceive any

said Dalton. "for I'm going IN there
II the ranger has been exposed he
must not be left alone"
he amt Alone" declared the sher-
IN. TON phoned me that he had an
assistant"
"Swenson. suppose" said Redfield.
who entered at this moment. "Swen-
son Is his assistant"
Il didn't see him myself" Gregg
continued. but l understood the dep
uty to say that he was an old man."
stevenson is a young man." correct
ed Redheld.
The sheriff insisted. "Tom said It
was an old mana stranger to him
tall. smooth shaver. not very strong.
he said-'peared to be a cook. He had
helped nurse the dago, so Tom said"
That's very curious" unused Red
held. There isn't an old man in the
service Of this forest There's a mis-
take somewhere"
WELL" concluded Gregg, that's
what he said. thought at first It
might be that old hobo Edwards. but
this Teller being in uniform and smooth
shaven"- His face changed: his
voice deepened. Say. believe It was
Edwards. and, Furthermore, Edwards
Is the convict that Texas marshal was
after the other day. and this man
Cavanagh-your prize rangers har-
boring him."
What nOnsensew exclaimed Red
| field.
The sheriff banged his hand upon
the table. That's the whole mystery
l see 1t all now. He's up there con-
cealing this man. He's given out this
smallpox scare just to keep the off
GERS away from him. Now you've got
it,
/ The thunder in his voice drew to-
i ward him all those who remained in
the dining room. and Lee found her.
self hinged about by dozen excited
men. but she did not finch. She was
too deeply concerned over Cavanagh's
fate to be afraid. and. besides, Red
field and the forester were beside her.
The supervisor was staggered by
Gregg's accusation and by certain con-
frRatory facts in his own possession.
but he defended Cavanagh bravely.
You're crazy" he replied. 'Why
should Ross do such a foolish thing ?
What is his motive? What interest
would he have In this man Edwards.
whom you call tramp? He can't be
a relative and certainly not a friend
Of Cavanagh's, for you say he is a
convict. Come. now. your hatred of
Cavanagh has gone too far"
Gregg was somewhat cooled by this
dash Of reason. but replied: II don't
know what relation he is, but these
are facts. He's concealing an escaped
convict. and he knows it,"
Dalton put In quiet word. "What
is the use of shouting judgment
against a man like Cavanagh before
you know the facts? He's one Of the
best and ablest rangers on this forest
l don't know why he has resigned
but I'm sure
HAS he resigned?" asked Gregg ed
gerly.
HE has"
"A good job for him. was about to
circulate a petition to have him re-
moved"
"If all the stockmen in the valley
had signed petition against him II
wouldn't have done any good" re-
piled Dalton. I'VE know good man
when we see him. I'm here to Offer
him promotion. not to punish him"
Lee, looking about at the faces OF
these men and seeing disappointment
in their faces, lost the keen sting OF
her own humiliation. "In the midst OF
such a fight as this how can he give
time or thought to me?" Painful as
the admission was, she was forced tC
factor in very large campaign. but
suppose he falls illw Her face grew
white and set and her lips bitter
THAT would be the final tragic touch,
she thought, ito have him come dowr
of plague from nursing one Of Sam
Gregg's sheep herders." Aloud she
said: His resignation comes just III
/ IL! ne uOW NC SASh
without loss to the service"
Dalton answered her. ''fhe super
visor has not accepted his resignation
On the contrary, shall offer him q
higher position. His career as for
ester is only beginning. He would te
foolish to give up the work now. whe,i
the avenues of promotion are just
opening. ! can offer him very soon
the supervision of a forest"
AS they talked Lee felt herself sinh
ing the while her lover rose. 1t was
all true. The forester was right
Ross was capable Of any work they
might demand Of him. He was TOO
skilled, tpo intelligent. too manly. q
. remain In the forest heroic as Its du
, ties seemed.
, Upon this discussion Lie, hobblin'
painfully. appeared. With cry o