Putnam patriot., 1911-06-23

 dead line and stay there. No one but the doctor shall enter this door Now. that's final"
 T want to helpr' she protested "I know you do. but I won't have it This quarantine Is real. and it goest'
 But suppose you yourself get sickF'
 Wen cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm all right so far. and I'll call for help when need it."
 His tone was imperative. and she obeyed, grumbing about his youth and the value of his life to the service.
 That's all very nice" he replied. but I'm In it. and l don't intend to expose you or any one else to the con tagion."
 Eve had it once" she asserted
 He looked at her and smiled in rec ognitlon Of her subterfuge.
 No matter: you're ailing and might take 1t again. so toddle back. It's mighty good of you and of Lee to come but there isn't thing you can do. and here's the doctor" he added as he recognized the young student who passed for a physician in the Fork. He was q bcardless youth of small experience and no great cour- age. and as he approached with hesi- taHt feet he asked
 Are you sure it's smallpox?'
 Cavanagh smiled The indications are ali that way That last importa- ton of Basques brought it probably from the steerage of the ship I'm told they've had several cases over in the basin.
 Have you been vaceinatedT'
 ''Yes. when l was in the army"
 "Then you're all right"
 'I hope so'
 There was certain comic relief in this long distance diagnosing of ease" by q boy. and yet the tragic fact beneath 1t all was that Wether- ford was dying a broken and dishon- ored husband and father, and that his identity must be concealed from his wife and daughter. who were much more deeply concerned over the ran ger than over the desperate condition of his patient And this must COD tinue to be so" Cavanagh decided. And as he stood there looking toward the girls fair figure on the bridge he came to the fnal. fixed determination never to speak one word or make sign that might lead to the dying mans identification. "Of what use is; itT' he asked himself "Why should even Lize be made to suffer? Wethep- fa tc oIr Axy over for her, and for Lee he Is only a dim memory"
 Redheld came near enough to see that the rangers face, though tired showed no sign of illness and was re- leved Who Is this old herder" be asked. Hasn't he any relatives in the countryT'
 He came from Texas. so he said. You're not coming in?" he broke off. 10 say to the young physician. whom liZe had shamed into returning to the cabin.
 ''I suppose I'll have to-" he protest | ed weakly.
 "I don't see the need of 1t. The whole place reeks of the poison. and
  | Unless you insist on coming in and are sure you can prevent further con tagion shall oppose your entrance. | You are in the company of others. | must consider their welfare" The young fellow was relieved. Well. so long as we know what it is can prescribe just as well right | here" he said and gave directions for | the treatment. which the ranger agreed 1 to carry out.
 "I tried to bring a nurse" explained 1 Redfeld, but l couldn't find anybody but old Lize who would come" II don't blame them," replied Ross. Tt isn't nice job even when you've | got all the conveniences" | His eyes as he spoke were on the l figure of Lee. who still stood on the 1 bridge, awed and worshipful, barred of l approach by Iize. "She shall not | know he silently vowed why put l her through useless suffering and shame? Edward Wetherford.s disor i dered life k near its end To betray l him to his wife and daughter would 1 be but the reopenins of an old wound.
 He was stirred to the center of his | heart by the coming of Lee Virginia. so sweet and brave and trustful His stern mood melted as he watched her l there waiting with her face turned l toward him. lousing to help, she would have come alone if necessary. he declared. with fuller revelation of the self sacrificing depth of her love, and she would come to my side this moment if called her" | He went back to his repulSive serv- ice sustained and soothed by the little camp of faitheul friends ou the other siGe of the stream
 1 During uue of his clcareSt moments Wetherford repeated bis wish to die a stranger. "Fm going out like the old ! tine west rag of what l once was. 1 Don't let them know Put no uame ! over me. Just say. An old cowpunch. CT lies here
 Cavanagh's attempt te change his hopeless tone proved uuaKailiHg En- feebled by hls harashIps and hls pris. on life, he had llttlr reserve force upon which to draw in lighting such an en- emy. He saak soon after this little speech into coma which continued To hold him in it's unbrokeu grasp as uight feH
 Meantime seeing uo chance Of aid- Ing the ranger. Rsdheld and the for ester prepared 10 return, but Lee, re enforced by her mother. refused to ac- company them. Il shall stay here" she said. "till he is safely out of it- | till I know that he Is beyond all dan