Evening times-Republican., 1911-02-07

"0Od' knows! I've been asking my.
self that question all day today"
This playing game warden has some
outs too. That was a wild crowd last
night. The town IL the same old hole
Il was when knew 1t years ago. Fine
girl u Lixs Wetherford's. Lie has
changed terribly. l didn't expect to
eco her have such a skein OF silk AZ
that girl. She sure looks the queen to
me-"
Cavanash did not greatly relish this
line Of conversation. but the pause en-.
abled him to say: Miss Wetherforti
is not much western: she got her train
Ing in tho east She's been with an
aunt ever since her fathers death"
"He's dead, IL he?"
$50 far as anybody knows, he is."
"Well. he's no loss. knew him too.
He was all kinds OF fool. He got
on the wrong side Of the rustler line
up. Them Wetherford women think
4 whole lot Of you. Pears like they'd
both fight for you. Are you sweet on
the girl?'
'Now. see here. old man." Ross re-
torted sharply. you want to do a lot
Of thinking before you comment on
Miss Wetherford. I won't stand fog
any nasty clack.''
Edwards meekly answered: II wasn't
going TO say anything out Of the way.
was fixing for to praise her.
"All the same. / don't intend to dis
cuss her with YOU" was Cavanagh's
curt answer.
The herder fell back into silence
while the ranger prepared his bunk
for the night. The fact that he trans
ferred some of the blankets from his
own bed to that OF his visitor did not
escape Edwards keen eyes, and with
grateful intent he said:
II can give you tip. Mr.. Ranger"
said he, breaking out of a silence.
1.-THE triangle outfit is holding more
cattle on the forest than their permits
call for"
How do you knowy'
II heard one Of the boys Dragging
about it."
Much obliged" responded Ross.
"I'll look into it,
they're fixing for another sheep kill
over there too. All the sheepmen are
armed. That's why l left the couu-
try. l don't want to run any more
chances Of being shot up. I've had
enough Of trouble | can't afford to
be hobnobbing with judges and iuries.
I'm Just a broken down old cowpunch-
er herding sheep in order to keep clear
Of the liquor belt"
This seemed reasonable. and the
ranger remarked by way Of dropping
the subject: 1--WE nothing to say fur
ther than this-obey the rules OF the
forest and you won't get into any fur
ther trouble with me And AS for
being shot up by tie cowmen. you'll
not be disturbed on any national for
est. There never has been a single
herder shot nor Il sheep destroyed on
this forest"
I'm mighty glad to hear that" re-
piled Edwards, with sincere relief.
and shooting down All l ask now Is
quiet and the society Of sheep take
u Kind Of pleasure in protecting the
fool brutes. It's about all Im good
for" ~
He did indeed look like man in the
final year Of hfe as he spoke. Better
turn in,". cayanash said in kindlier
tone. "Im an early riser"
The old fellow rose stiffly and. lay
into his bunk. and was asleep In three
minutes.
Cavanagh himself was very tired
and went to bed soon after to sleep
dreamlessly till daylight. lie sprang
from his bed and after plunge in the
stream set about breakfast, while Ed
wards rose from his bunk groanlng
and signing and went forth to wran-
gle the horses, rubbing his hands and
shivering as he met the keen edge Of
the mountain wind. When he returned
breakfast was ready, and again he ex-
pressed his gratitude.
Haven't you any sl!cker?" asked
Cavanagh 1t looks like rain
mo; I'm run down pretty low" he
replied. "The truth is, Mr.. Ranger. l
blew In s!l my wages at roulette last
week"
|, Ross brought out canvas coat, we'll
worn, but serviceable. Take this
along with you. It's likely to storm
before we reach the sheep camp. And
you don't look very strong. ion must
take care of yourself"
Edwards was vsibly moved by this
kindness ''Sure you can spare it?'
"Certain sure: I've another re-
turned t',o rN,e~o- c''"+'''