The Delta independent., 1911-05-05

thought and at last put his perplexity
into a question. What am 1 to do?
I'm beginning to feel queer. 1 reckon
the chances for my having smallpox
are purity fair Maybe I'd better drop
down to Sulphur and report to the au-
thorities. I've got a day or two be-
fore the blossoms will begin to show
on me-"
Cavanagh studied him closely. "Now.
don't get to thinking you've got 1t. 1
don't see how you could attach a
germ. The high altitude and the
winds up there ought to prevent in
fection. I'm not afraid for myself,
but If you're able perhaps we'd better
pull out tomorrow"
Later in the day Wetherford express
ed deeper detection. Il don't see any
thing ahead 81 me anyhow" he con-
fessed. IF go back to the pen I'll
die of lung trouble. and don't know
how I'm going to earn a living in the
city. Mebbe the best thing could do
would be to take the pox and go un-
der. I'm afraid of big towns" he con-
tinued. 81 always was, even when I
had money. Now that l am old and
broke l darent go. No city for me-
Cavanagh's patience gave way. But,
man. you can't stay here! I'm pack
ing up to leave. Your only chance
of getting out of the country is to go
when l so and in my company" His
voice was harsh and keen, and the old
man felt Its edge, but he made no re-
ply. and this sad silence moved Cav
anagh to repentance. His irritability
warned him of something deeply
changing in his own nature.
Approaching the brooding felon, he
spoke gently and sadly I'm sorry
for you. Wetherford. 1 sure am. but
it's up to you to get clear away so that
Lee will never by any possible chance
find out that you are alive. She has
romantic notion Of you as repre-
sentative of the old time west. and 1t
would be a dreadful shock to her If
she knew you as you are. It's hard to
leave her. l know. now that you've
seen her, but that's the manly thing to
do-the only thing to do"
"Oh. you're right-of course you're
right. But wish l could be of some
use to her. wish l could kind of keep
watch over her. I'd be glad enough to
play the scullion in her kitchen. But
If you're going to take her,
But I'm not" protested Ross. "I'm
going to leave her right here. l can't
take her"
Wetherford looked at him with
steady eyes. into which a keen light
leaped. Don't you intend to marry
her?'
Ross turned away. mo: don't l
mean it is impossible"
why not? Don't tell me you're al
ready married" ?" He said this with
menacing tone.
mo: I'm not married. but He
stopped without making his meaning
plain. I'm going to leave the country
and
Wetherford caught him up. 81 reck-
on ] understand what you mean. You
consider Lie and me undesirable par
ents-not just the kind you'd cut out OF
the herd of your own free will. Well.
that's all right. l don't blame you so
far as I'm concerned. But you can for
get me-consider me dead one. I'll
never bother her nor you
Cavanagh threw out an impatient
hand 1T is impossible" he protest
ed. Its better for her and better for
me that l should do so. I'm going
back to my own people,"
Wetherford was thoroughly reused
now. Some part of his old time fire
seemed to return to him. He rose from
his chair and approached the ranger
firmly. i've seen you act like man.
Ross Cavanagh. You've been good
partner these last few days-a son
couldn't have treated me better-and
I hate to think Ill Of you. But my girl
loves you'll could see that. l could
see her lean to you"
Ross said slowly: "It will be hard
for you to understand when 1 tell you
that care great deal for your daugh-
ter. but a man like mean Englishman
cannot marry, or he ought not to
marry-for himself alone. There are so
many others to consider-his friends.
his sisters"-
wetherford dropped his hand. II
seew His tone was despairing. when
I was young we married the girls we
loved In defiance of everything. But
you are not that kind. You may be
right. I'm nothing but debilitated
old cowpuncher branded by the state
man who threw away his chance
but can tell you straight I've learned
that nothing but the love of a woman
counts"
In the meantime Lee Virginia wait
ed with increasing impatience f.
Ross Cavanagh's return, expecting
each noon to see him appear at the
door. But when three days passed
without word or sign from him her
uneasiness deepened into alarm. The
whole town was profoundly excited
over the murder. that she knew. and
Ahe began to fear that some of the