Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-02-12
tContnued from yesterdays poper)
CHAPTER XIV.

the great peak whose splinterod crest
lorded the range Snow fields lay all
about and few feet higher up the
canyons were filled with ice, II was
savage and tempest swept spot In
which TO pitch tent. but there among
the rocks shlvered the minute canvas
home Of the shepherd, and close be
side It, guarded by a lone dog and ly.
ing like thick spread flock OF rimy
powders almost unnoticeable IN their
silent immoDilltyl hudded the sheep.
There's your house" shouted Ross
10 Wethcrford.
The older man, with white face OF
dlsmay, looked about him, unable to
make reply.
Hello, therew shouted Ross, won
dering at the absence Of human lire
about the camp. Hello, the housew
Receiving no answer to his hail, he
turned to WetherfOrd. Looks as II
Ambro has pulled out and left the col
lie to tend the flock He's been kind Of
feedy for some days.
Dlsmounting, he approached the tent.
The collie, who knew him, seemed to
understand his errand, for he leaped
upon him as II TO kiss his cheek. Ross
put him down gently. You're Glmont
too glad to see me, old fellow. / won
der how long you've been left here
alone"
Thereupon he opened the tied flap,
but started back with instant percep-
tlon Of something wrong, for there, on
his pile Of ragged quilts, lay the
Basque herder, with flushed face and
rolling eyes, crOzed with fever and en-
tlrely helpless. you'd better not come
IN here, Wetherford" Ross warned.
Joe is here, horribly sick, and I'm
afraid It's something contagious II
may be smallpox"
Wetherford recolled n step. small
poxl What makes you think thatT'
well, these Basques have been hav-
Ing Il over IN their settlement, and. be-
sides, II smells like IT," He listened a
moment, '1'm afraid Joe's in for II.
He's crazy with It. But he's q human
being, and we can't let him die here
alone. You rustic some wood for the
stove, and I'll see what | can do for
him"
Wetherford was old and wasted and
thin bloOded, but he had never been a
coward, and in his heart there still
burned n small flame Of his youthful.
reckless, generous daring Pushing
CovanagL one side be said with firm
decision: "You keep out Of there I'm
the one to play nurse. This Is my
job"
Nonsense! am younger and
stronger than YOU"
Get awayw shouted the older man.
Gregg hired me 20 do this work, and
II don't matter whether live or die.
But you've got something to do in the
world. My girl needs you, and she
don't need me, 80 get out Of here and
stay out. Go bring me that wood and
Ill go in and see " hats the matter"
CNyanagh looked him In the face an
instant VERY WELL said he, "Tll do
as you say. There's no use OF our
both taking chances"
II was beginning 20 rain, and the
tent was dark and desolate, but rs the
FIRE In the little stove commenced 70
snar and no smoke TO pour out of
the pipe the small domlclle took on
cheer Wctherford knew how to care
for the sick and IN the shelter Of the
canvas wall developed Unforeseen Wig
or and decision. II was amazing to
Cavanagh to witness his change OF
manner.
Soon n pan Of water was steaming,
and some hot stones were at the suf-
ferers feet and when wetherford ap.
peared at the door Of the tent bis face
was almost happy. "Kill sheep.
There Isn't thing but heel of ba.
con and little -four In the place.
Twenty miles Of most difficult trail
lay between Cavanagh's cabin and
this spot. To carry the sick man on
his horse would not only be painful to
the sufferer but dangerous TO the res
cuer, for II the Basque were really III
Of smallpox contagion would surely
follow On the other hand TO leave
him to die here unaded seemed lnhu-
man, impossible
"There IL only one thing to do he
called TO Wethorford, and that II for
mo TO ride back 10 the station ana
bring up some extra bqdding and my
own tent and so camp down beside
you"
"All right, but remember I've estab-
iished a quarantine. I'll crack your
head II you break over the line nm
inch"
There was no longer any feeling OF
reaching up or reaching down between
the two mon-they were equals Weth-
erford, altogether admirable, seemed
TO have regained his manhood as he
stood In the door Of the tent confront
ing the ranger. This Basque amt
much OF nnd; but az you say, he's
human, and we cant let him lie here
and die. III stay with him illl you