The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-22


 "He hates darkness. That's one req son why I've opened the doors and windows"
 "All wrong. According to Finsen he wouldn't pit In the dark. However 1t doesn't matter on cowboy. You've a great story yourself. There's fnt situation here. which I'll play up if you don't object!'
 Cavanagh smiled Would my ob jection have any weigheT
 The reporter laughed. Mot much I've got to carry back some sort of game. We'll. so long. must hit the trail. over the hilI"
 Cavanagh made civil answer and re- turned to his patient more than half convinced that Hartley was right The power of the press" might prove to be very real force in this pursuit
 As the journalist was about to mount his horse he discovered Lee Virginia on the other side of the creek. 'Hello!" said he. '1 wonder what this pretty maiden means. And. dropping his bridle rein again he walked down to the bridge. :
 Swenson interposed his tall figure "what do you want?' he asked blunt ly. "You don't want to get too close. You've been talking to the ranger"
 Hartley studied him coolly. "Are you . ranger tooY
 "No. only a guard"
 "why are you leaving Cavanagh to play it alone in therer'
 Lee explained He won't let any of us come near him."
 quite rieht." retorted Hartley promptly. ''rhey say smallpox has lost its terrcrs. but when you're eight hours hard tran from a doctor or g hospital it's still what I'd call a for midable enemy. However. Cavanagh's 's immune. so he says"
 I've don't know that.' Lee said and her hands came together in 2 spasm of fear. 'Are you doctor?"
 No: I'm only a newspaper man. but I've had lot of experience with plaques of all sorts-had the yellow fever In Porto Rico and the typhoid iii South Africa: that's why I'm out here ricochetfing over the hills. But who are you. may ask? You look like the rose of Sharon"
 My name is Lee wetherford." she answered. with childish directness. for there was something compelling in the mans voice and eyes. And this is my mother" She indicated Lize. who was approaching.
 "You are not out here for youl heaIth." he stated. rather thoughtful ly. How happens 1t you're hereY'
 "I was born herein the Fork"
 His face remained expressionless "I don't believe it. Can such maidens come out of Roaring Forkf Nit! Bui 1 don't mean that. What are yoi doing up here in this wiIdernpssT
 Lize took part in the conversation Another inspector?" she asked as sht numbered up.
 "That's me-" he replied-"Sherlocb Holmes. yidocq. all rolled Into one
 My mother," again volunteered Lee
 Hartley's eyes expressed incredulity but he did not put his feelings int words, for he perceived in Lize a type with which he was entirely familiar one 10 be handled with care. "Whal are you two women doing here3 Are you related to one of these rangers?'
 Lize resented this. You're asking a good many questions. Mir. Man."
 "Thats my trade," was the un abashed reply, ''and I'm not so old but that l can rise to romantic situa ton" Thereupon he dropped all di rect interrogation and with an air oi candor told the story of his mission Lize. entirely sympathetic, invited him to lunch. and he was soon In posses sion of their story, even to the tender relationship between Lee Virginia anu the plague besieged forest ranger.
 Were not so nightly disinterest ed" he said. referring to his paper '"The Roundup represents the new west in part. but to us the new yves means opportunity to loot water sites and pile up unearned increment. Oh yes, we're on the side of the fruit anC alfalfa grower, because it pays. If tht boss of my paper happened to be ir the sheep business. as Senator Blank White is. we would sing a different tune. or if 1 were a congressman rep resentlng district of cattlemen I'd be very slow about helping to build up any system that would make me pa. for my grass As 1t is. I'm commis stoned to make it hot for the ranch CTS that killed those dagoes. and Tn, going to do 1t. If this country had q man like Cavauagh for sheriff we'd have the murderers in two days. H. knows who the butchers are. and To like his help. But he's nailed down here and there's DO hope of his get ting away. A few men like him could civiliEe this country"
 Thereupon he drew from three pair. of lips a statement of the kind of mar Ross Cavanagh was. but most signifi caEi of all were the few words of the girl. to whom this man of the pad and pencil was a magician. capable of ex alting her hero ahd of advancing light and civilization by the mere motion of his hand. She liked him and grew more and more willing to communi- cate. and he. perceiving in her some thing unusual. fingered on. question ing. Then he rose. T must be going" he said to Lee You've given me a lovely afternoon"
 Lee Virginia was all too ignorant of the ways of reporters to resent his note taking- and she accepted his