Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1911-08-03

- S0Ell1n,H'
By HAML|N GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. by Hamlin Garland

great story yourself. There's fine
situation here. which I'll play up II
you don't object"
Cavanagh smiled. Would my OBJ
lection have any weight"
The reporter laughed. Not much.
I've got to carry back some sort Of
game. Well. so long. l must hit the
trail over the hill"
Cavanagh made civil answer and re-
turned to his patient more than half
convinced that Hartley was right.
The power of the press might prove
to be very real force in this pursuit.
AS the journalist was about to
mount his horse he discovered Lee
Virginia on the other side Of the
creek. Hello" said he. II wonder
what this pretty maiden means"
And. dropping his bride rein again.
he walked down to the bridge.
Swenson interposed his tall figure.
what do you wantf" he asked blunt
ly You don't want to get too close.
You've been talking to the ranger"
Hartley studied him coolly. "Are you
ranger too"
"No. only II guard"
"Why are you leaving Cavanagh to
play it alone in there?'
Lee explained He won't let any
of us come near him"
"Quite right" retorted Hartley
promptly. They say smallpox has
lost its terrors, but when you're eight
hours hard trail from doctor or a
hospital it's still what I'd call a for
immune. so he says"
I'VE don't know that" Lee said,
and her hands came together in a
spasm of fear. Are you doctor?"
"No; I'm only newspaper man, but
I've had q lot of experience with
plaques of all sorts-had the yellow
fever in Porto Rico and the typhoid in
South Africa; that's why I'm out here
ricochetting over the hills. But who
are you. may | ask? You look like the
rose of Sharon"
MY name is Lee Wetherford," she
answered, with childish directness, for
there was something compelling in the
my mother" She indicated Lie. who
was approaching.
you are not out here for your
health" he stated. rather thoughtful
~. How happens it you're here?"
81 was born herein the Fork"
His face remained eXpressionless. |
81 don't believe it. Can such maidcns !
come out of Roaring Fork? Nit. But |
| don't mean that. What are you |
doing up here in this Wilderness"
Lie took Il part in the conversation. |
Another Inspector" she asked rs she |
numbered up.
That's me-" he replied-"Sherlor"
Holmes, Vidocq, all rolled into one.
my mother" again volunteered Lee
Hartley's eyes expressed increInity. |
but he did not put his feelings into
for he perceived in Lie II type
with which he was entirely familiar
one to be handled with care. What
are you two women doing here! Are
you related to one Of these rangers?'
Lie resented this. You're asking II
good many questions, Mr.. Man."
That's my trade" was the un-
abashed reply, land I'm not so Old but
that l can rise to a romantic situa-
ion." Thereupon he dropped all d.
rect interrogation and with an air Of
,andor told the story Of his mission.
Lie, entirely sympathetic, invited him
10 lunch, and he was soon In posses
sion Of their story, even to the tender
between Lee Virginia and
he plague besieged forest ranger.
Were not so nightly disinterest-
3D." he said, referring to his paper.
The Roundup represents the new
west in part, but to us the new west
means opportunity to loot water sites
Ind pile up unearned increment. oh.
res, we're on the side Of the fruit and
alfalfa grower, because it pays. II the
,oss Of my paper happened to be in
he sheep business, as Senator Blank
White is, we would sing a different
une, or II | were a congressman rep
district Of cattlemen Id be
'ery slow about helping to build up
my system that would make me pay
or my grass. AS 1t Is. I'm commits
Toned to make it hot for the ranch
rs that killed those dagoes. and I'm
,oing to do it. If this country had
nan like Cavanagh for sheriff we'd
ave the murderers In two days. He !
,nows who the butchers are, and I'd A.,
Ike his help. But he's nailed down .
'ere. and there's no hope Of his get
Ing away. A few men like him could
ivilize this country"
Thereupon he drew from three pairs
f lips statement of the kind of man
toss Cavanagh was. but most signifi- {
ant of all were the few words of the ,
irl, to whom this man of the pad and .
encil was a magician. capable of ex.
lunS her hero and of advancing ngnr s
nd civilization by the mere motion of
is hand. she liked him and grew
lore and more willing to communi-
ate and he, perceiving in her some
hing unusual, fingered on, question G
l.. H. l