The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-14
Cavanagfl,
The Great COnServa-
ton Novel
Continued.)

went forth to his duties with deep
ened conviction of the essential law
lessness Of the state and Of America in
general. for this spirit of mob law
was to be found in some form through
out the land. He was Disguised. but
not beaten. His resolution to carry out
the terms of his contract with the
government remained mistaken.
He carried with him also a final
disturbing glimpse Of Eliza wether-
ford's girl that did indeed threaten his
peace OF mind There was an invol-
untary appeal. a wistful depth. to her
glance which awakened in him an in
dignant pity and also blew into fame
something not so credita bIe-some-
thing which smoldered beneath his
conscious will. She had not escaped
her heritage of passion. and her
glances. innocent as they were. reused
even In him something lawless.
His pony plodded slowly. and the
afternoon was half spent before he
came in sight of the long. low log cab
In which was the only home he pos
sessed In all America. For the first
time since he built 1t the station seem
ed lonely and disheartening. Would
any woman for love Of me come to
such a hearthstoneT he asked him.
self. And II she consented to do so
could / be so selfish as to exact such
sacrifice? No; the forest ranger in
these attitudes must be young and
heart free; otherwise his life would be
miserably solitary"
. He was just dishing out his rude
/ supper when the feet of q horse on
the log bridge Announced visitor.
With feeling Of pleasure as well
as relief he rose to greet the stranger.
ANY visitor Is welcome this night, "
he said
The horseman proved to be his for
mer prisoner. the old man Edwards.
who slipped from his saddle with the
never failing grace Of the cow man
and came slowly toward the cabin.
He smiled YEARLY as he said: I'm on
your trail, Mr.. Ranger, but 1 bear no
malice. You were doing your duty.
Can you tell me how far it Is to Am
bros camp"
There was something forlorn in the
mans attitude. and Cavanagh's heart
softered. Turn your horse into the
corral apd come to supper" he COM
manded with western bluntness.
"WeTl talk about all that later"
Edwards accepted his hospitality
without hesitation I'm going up to
take Ambro's place." he began after a
few minutes of silent eating. Know
wnere his camp isT'
at do" replied Ross. to whom the
stranger now appeared in pathetic
guise- ANY man of his age consent
ing to herd sheep is surely hard hit by
the rough hand of the world" he rea.
soned. and the closer he studied bis
visitor the palmer he felt his ungov
erneJ past
T suppose Gregg paid your finer he
said.
"Yes"
I'm any other town in the state you'd
have gone down the line"
He reused himself. ''See here, Mr.
Ranger. you've no warrant to believe
NE. but l told you the truth. Youns
Gregg got me to ride into the rang'
and show him the tr8iL I didn't In
tend to get mixed up with a gam,
warden. I've had all the confinement
need"
well. it's q closed incident now
fnterposed Ross. 1--WE won't reopen II
Make yourself at home"
The stranger. hungry as he was. at
with unexpected gentility. and as tn
hot coffee sent its cheerful GLOW
through bis body he asked, with liven
ing interest. a good many questions
about the ranger and the forest service
you fellers have to be all round men
The cowboys think you have a snap
but guess you earn your money"
"a man that builds trails, lay
bridges. burns brush. fights fire, ride
the roundup and covers seventy-fiv
miles Of trail every week on $50 pc
month and feeds himself and hi
horses isn't what / would call enjoy
ing soft snap"
What do you do 1t for?'
God knows. I've been asking my
self that question all day today"
This playing game warden has som
outs too That was a wild crowd las
night The town is the same old hol
1t was when knew it years ago. Fin
girl Of Lie Wetherford's Lie ha
changed terribly. / didn't expect t
see her have such a skein Of silk a
that girl She sure looks the queen t
me-
Cavanagh did not greatly relish thi
line Of conversation. but the pause en-
abled him to say: miss Wetherfor
is not much western: she got her train
ing in the east She's been with al
aunt ever since her fathers DEATH"
Hes dead. is he?"
$50 far as anybody knows. he is"
well, he's no loss. / knew him toe
he was all kinds OF a fool. He go
on the wrong side Of the rustler line
up. Them Wetherford women thin
a whole lot of you. Pears like they
both fight for you. Are you sweet O.
the grip
Now, see here. old man." Ross re
torted sharply. You want to do q lo
Of thinking before you comment O
Miss Wetherford. I won't stand fo
any nasty clack."
Edwards meekly answered: 81 WASH
going TO say anything out Of the way
] was fixing for to praise her"
"Au the same. / don't intend to dis