Semi-weekly herald., 1911-04-10
.coPYncHT. 1910, AZ t1Ar1LIN GARLAND

y Lees mind was on now on smother
tangent. Suppose 1t is truer' sh'
asked herself. suppose he has falier
siek away up there. miles and mile:
from any nurse or Doctor
r There's something queer about the
whole business. pursued Gregg. "Fol
instance. who Is this assistant he's
got? Johnson said there was an old
man in ranger uniform pottering round
why didn't he send word by him
Why did he let Ipe come to the door
5He might have involved me in the dis
ease 1 tell you.-i you don't take care
of him the people of the county will"
The forester looked grave. "lf he
: knew II was smallpox and failed to
report 1t he did wrong. but you say
he took care of this poor shepherd
nurSed him till he died and buried
! him. taking all precautions. You cant
complain of that. can you? That's
the act OF N good ranger and brave
| man. iou, wouldn't have done It" hs
ended. addressing Gregg. sickness
up there two full miles above sea leve
is quite different proposition from
sickness in Sulphur City or the Fork
shah not condemn Mr., Cavanagh till
! hear his side of the story"
Lee turned a grateful glance upon
him. you must be right don't be
lieve Mr.. Cayanagh would deceive any
one"
well. wen soon know the truth.
said Dalton. FOR I'm going up there
=! l.ns 4,
must not be left aione' Nm 5l
b. He amt alone" declared the sher
IN. r'rom pboned me thai he had au
assistant"
"Swenson. | suppose said Rcdfeld
who entered at this moment. "Swcn.
son is his asslstantr M y
Il didn't see him myself" Gregg
continued. but understood the dep
uty to say that he was an old man"
"Swenson is a young man." correct
ed Redfeld.7 M rn4 eer
The sheriff Insisted "Tom said It
was an old mana stranger TO him
tall, smooth shaven, not very strong
he said-'peared TO be cook He had
helped nurse the dago. so Tom said"
THAT'S very curious" mused Red.
4 field ,a5'There isn't an old man In { he
/ service of this forest. There's mis-.
stake somewhe ~ ~
We'll. concluded Gregg. that's
what he said. / thought at first 1t
might be that old hobo Edwards. but
this feller being in uniform and smooth
shaven''- His face changed; his
voice deepened Say. 1 believe ii was
Edwards. and, furthermore. Edwards
lis the convict that Texas marshal was
after the other day. and this man
= sGavanagh-your prize ranger-is har.
boring him
4 "what nonsenser exclaimed Red.
a'field
Tie sheriff banged his hand upon
the table. That's the whole mystery
| see 1t all now He's up there con
cealing this man. He's given out this
gsnla llpox scare just to keep the Off
4 GERS away from him. Now you've got
it.p m4l sif aIir5 rr.b e.t. l.-... oI
Z The thunder in his voice drew to-
ward him all those who remained I'm
the dining room. and Lee found her
self ringed about by dozen excited
men. but she did not finch. She was
TOO deeply concerned over Cavanagh's s
fate to be afraid. and. besides, Red
I,held and the forester were beside her.
4 The supervisor was staggered by
Gregs's accusation and by certain con
. firmatory facts In his own possession,
bun he defended Cavanagh bravely.
you're crazy" he replied. "Why
should Ross do such foolish thing
What Is his motive? What interest
would he have In this man Edwards.
whom you call tramp? He can't be
relative and certainly not a friend
of Cavanagh's. for you say lie is a
convict. Come. now. your hatred of
Cavanagh has gone too far" rlfig
- Gregg was somewhat cooled by this
dash of reason. but replied: II don't
know what relation he is. but these
are facts, He's concealing an escaped
convict, and he knows it"
n Dalton put in a quiet word. What
is the use of shouting Judgment
against man like Cavanagh before
you know the facts2 He's one OF the
best and ablest rangers on this forest
l don't know why he has resigned.
but I'm sure
\ HAS he resigned?' asked Gregg en-.
gerly.
He has" ..
"A good Job for him. was about to
scirculnte a petition to have him re
Y H|
q IF all the stockmen in the valley
had signed petition against him II
wouldn't have done any goodr re.
piled Dalton. I'VE know good man
when we see him. I'm here TO offer
him promotion, not to punish him
n Lee, looking about at the faces Of
these men and seeing disappointment
In their faces. lost the keen sting OF
her own humiliation. "In the midst OF
such a 6ght as this how can he give
time or thought TO me?' Painful as
the admission was. she was forced to
nd nit that she was a very humble
factor in a very large campaign But
SUPPOSE he falls illt'' Her face grew
white and set and her lips bitter
THAT would be the final tragic touch,'
She thought. ITO have him come down
of : pingue from nursing one of Sam
Gregg's sheep herders." Aloud she