Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-10

. - dog. / can't go away and
leave him there without saying hello"
Let me do that" suggested Wether-
ford. I'm afraid to go down to the
Fork. ! reckon I'd better go back and
tend the sheep till Gregg sends some
one up to take my place"
THAT might be too late to see Lie.
Lees voice showed great anxiety. She
may be on her deathbed. No: you'd
better go down with me today" he
urged. And at last the old man CON
sented.
Putting some bread in his pockets,
Ross rode off up the trail to see how
the dog and his flock were faring. He
had not gone far when he heard the
tinkle of the bells and the murmur of
the lambs, and a few moments later
the collie came toward him with the
air Of boy who. having assumed to
disregard the orders of his master. ex-
poets a scolding. He plainly said:
1--WE brought my sheep to you because
! was lonesome. Please forgive me-"
Cavanagh called to him cheerily and
tossed him a piece of bread. which he
caught in his teeth, but did not swal-
low. On the contrary, he held it while
leaping for joy of the praise he heard
In his new found masters voice.
Turning the flock upward toward the
higher peaks, the ranger commanded
the collie to their heels and so, having
redeemed his promise, rode back to the
cabin, where he found Wetherford sad
died and ready for his momentous trip
TO the valley. He had shaved away
his gray beard, and had Ross been un-
prepared for these changes he would
have been puzzled to account for this
decidedly military figure sitting statu-
esquely on his pony before the door.
"You can prove an allbi," he called
as he drew near. "Gregg himself would
never recognize you now"
Wetherford was in no mood for jok-
ing. Lie will. | wore mustache in
the old days, and there's scar on my
chin"
AS he rode he confided this strange
thing to Cavanagh. II know" said he.
that Lie is old and wrinkled. for I've
seen her, but all the same can't re-
alize 1t. That heavy set woman down
there is not Lie. My Lie is slim and
straight. This woman whom you know
has stolen her name and face, that's
all. | can't explain exactly what |
bt,f int 20
me now than Lie"
81 think ! understand you" said
Cavanagh. with sympathy in his voice.
The nearer Wetherford came to the
actual meeting with his wife the more
he shook. At last he stopped in the
road. II don't believe | can do it."
he declared I'll be like ghost to
her. What's the use of it? She'll only
be worried by my story. | reckon I'd
better keep dark to everybody. Let me
go back. I'm plum scared cold"
While still he argued two men on
horseback rounded a sharp turn in
the trail and came face to face with
the ranger. Wetherford's face went
suddenly gray. There's the deputy"
Keep quiet. I'll do the talking"
commanded Cavanagh, who was in
stant in his determination to shield the
man. Good morning, gentlemen" he
called cheerily. You're abroad earlyr'
The man in front was the deputy
sheriff of the county; his companion
was q stranger.
THAT was horrible mess you STUN
bled on over ON Deer creek" the dep
uty remarked
ut certainly was. Have any arrests
been nader
mot yet. but we're on clew. This
Is Marshal Haines of Dallas, Mr.. Cav
anagh," pursued the deputy. The two
men nodded In token of the introduc-
ton, and the deputy went on, You
remember that old cuss that used to
work for Gregg?'
Again Cavanagh nodded
well. that chap is wanted by the
Texas authorities. Mr.. Haines here
wants to see him mighty bad. He's
an escaped convict with bad record"
"Is that sop exclaimed Cavanagh.
u thought he seemed bit gun shy"
THE last seen of him was when Sam
Gregg sent him up to herd sheep.
think he was mixed up in that killing
myself-him and Ballard-and we're
going up to get some track of him.
Didn't turn up at your station, did
hep
YES; he came by some days ago, on
his way, so he said, to relieve that
sick Basque, Ambro. went up a
couple of days ago and found the
Basque dead and the old man gone. l
buried the herder the best could, and
I'm on my way down to report the
| ease"
! The deputy mused "He may be
lllnging round some of the lumber
camps. l reckon we had better go up
and look the ground over anyhow. We
| might just chance to overhaul him."
HE may have pulled out over the
range" suggested the ranger. "Any-
how, it's long way up there, and
you'll probably have to camp at my
place tonight. You'll find the key
| hanging over the door. Go in and
make yourself comfortable"
The deputy thanked him and was
about to ride on when Cavanagh add
ed: 81 burned that Basque's tent and
bedding for fear Of contagion. His
outfit was worthless anyhow. You'll
find the sheep just above my cabin
and the horse in my corral"
THE old man didn't take the horse,
eh? Well, that settles 1t; he's sure at
one of the camps. Much obliged. Good
day"
) fro BE CONTINUED