Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-30
: Ranger
By HAML!N GARLAND
Copyright. 1910. by Hamlin Garland


to carry out.
II tried to bring a nurse" explained
Redfeld. but l couldn't find anybody
but old Lie who would come"
II don't blame them" replied Ross.
1T isn't nice job, even when you've
got all the conveniences."
His eyes as he spoke were on the
figure of Lee, who still stood on the
bridge, awed and worshipful. barred of
approach by Lie. ''She shall not
know" he silently vowed. why put
her through useless suffering and
shame? Edward Wetherfords disor-
dered life is near its end To betray
him to his wife and daughter would
be but the reopening 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
there waiting, with her face turned
toward him. longing to help. "She
would have come alone If necessary"
he declared, with fuller revelation of
the self sacrificing depth Of her love.
land she would come to my side this
moment if l called her."
He went back to his repulsive serv-
ice sustained and soothed by the little
camp Of faithful friends on the other
side Of the stream.
During one of his clearest moments
Wetherford repeated his wish to die
stranger. I'm going out like the old
time west. rag Of what l once was.
| I,k vDyrf pv,,f,
over me. Just say, An old cowpunch-
err lies here
Cavanagh's attempt to change his
hopeless tone proved unavailing. En-
feebled by his hardships and his pris-
ON life, he had little reserve force upon
which to draw in fighting such an en-
envy. He sank soon after this little
speech into a coma which continued
to hold him in it's unbroken grasp as
night fell.
Meantime, seeing no chance of aid
ing the ranger, Redfield and the for
ester prepared to return, but Lee, re-
enforced by her mother. refused to ac-
company them. Il shall stay here"
she said, It'll he is safely out Of it
till | know that he is beyond all dan
ger"
Redfeld did not urge her to return
as vigorously as Dalton expected him
to do, but when he understood the
girls desire to be near her lover he
took off his hat and bowed to her.
You are entirely in the right" he
said. Here is where you belong"
Redfield honored Lie for her sym
pathetic support of her daughters res
olution and expressed his belief that
Ross would escape the plague. Il fee
that his splendid vigor, combined with
the mountain air, will carry him
through, even if he should prove not
to be immune. l shall run up again
day after tomorrow. l shall be very
anxious What nuisance that the
telephone line is not extended to this
point Ross has been insisting on its
value for months"
: Lee saw the doctor go with some
dismay Young as he was. he was al
least a reed to cling to in case the
grisly terror seized upon the ranger
MIR. Redfield. can't you send rea
doctor? 1t seems so horrible to bt
| leIt mere WITHOUT luSlTuCtlOIS
The forester. before going. again be
sought Cavanagh not to abandon his
work in the forestry service and init
mated that at the proper time ad
vancement would be offered him. 9Th,
, whole policy is but beginning sait
he, land a practical ranger with you
experience and education will prove o
greatest value"
To this Ross made reply: AT thu
moment | feel that no promise of ad
vancement could keep me in this coun
!, try of grafters, poachers and assassins
I'm weary of it and all 1t stands for
However. If | could aid in extending
the supervision of the public range
and in stopping forever this murde
, and burning that go on outside tn
, forestry domain I might remain in tn
west
Would you accept the supervisor
ship of the Washable forest?" demand
ed Dalton.
, Taken by surprise. he stammered. g
, might. but am / the MANI"
, You are. Your experience fits yo
for a position where the fight is ho
; The Washable forest is even more
bone of contention than this We hav
|, laid out the lines of division betwee
;. the sheep and the cows. and it wi
Q take man to enforce our regulations
a You will have the support of the bes
citizens. They will all rally. with 20
q as leader. and so end the warfar
, there"
). 1T can never end till Uncle Sal
a puts rangers over every section of pull
n lie lands and lays out the grazing line
as we have done in this forest" r,
, torted Cavanagh.
# II know. but to get that requires
;, revolution in the whole order {
things" Then hia fne xnunc faf