Semi-weekly herald., 1911-03-27
CHAPTER XVI.
cAvANAGH FOLLOWS HIS CHIEF.

"a nagh said: 81 must ride back
and take some bread to the
= dog. l 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 OF 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, e1-
poets scolding. lie plainly said.
"Fvi brought my sheep TO you because
l vas 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 1t 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 alibi," he called
as he drew near Gregg himself would
never recognize you now"
Wetherford was in no mood for jok-
ing. Lie will. l wore a mustache In
the old days. and there's II scar on my
chin"
As he rode he confided this strange
thing to Cavanagh. Il know" said he.
that Lie is old and wrinkled, for I've
seen her. but all the same | cant re-
alize it. 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
feel, but Lee Virginia means more to
me now than Lie"
II think / understand you," said
Cavanagh. with sympathy in his voice.
The nearer Wetherford came to the
actual meeting with his wife the more
ne shook. At last he stopped in the
>gad. 81 don't believe | can do it,"
he declared. TN be like a ghost to
her. What's the use of It? She'll only
be worried by my story. l reckon I'd
better keep dark to everybody Let me
60 back. I'm plum scared cold"
While still he argued two men on
horseback rounded sharp turn in
the trail and came face TO face with
the ranger. Wetherfords 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
sherin Of the county; his companion
was stranger.
That was a horrible mess you STUN
bled on over on Deer creek" the dep
uty remarked
1T certainly was. Have any arrests
been madef"
mot yet but we're on a clew. This
is Marshal Haines of Dallas. Mr. Cav
anagh," pursued the deputy. The two
men nodded In token of the introduc-
don. and the deputy went on. you
remember that old cuss that used to
work for GreggT'
Again Cavanagh nodded
We'll. that chap Is wanted by the
Texas authorities Mr.. Ealaes here