New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1912-01-10
CHAPTER XIII.

THE OLD SHEEP HERDER. :.
"HE ranger was awakened in the
first faint dawn by the passing
Of the girls light feet as she
Il went across the hall to her
mothers room, and a moment later he
heard the low murmur Of her voice.
Throwing off his blankets and making
such scant toilet as he needed. he
stepped into the hall and waited for
her to return.
Soon she came toward him, smile
of confidence and pleasure on her lips.
''How is she?' he asked.
"Quite comfortable" ..a
"And YOU" His voice was very ten
der. .s
II am little tired" she acknowl-
edged. 81 didn't sleep very we'll"
''You didn't sleep at ALL" he declared
regretfully. -4
"Oh, yes, did," she replied brightly.
These two ardent souls confronted
each other in absorbed silence with
keener perception, with new daring,
with new intimacy, till he recalled
himself with effort. you must let me
help you If there's anything I can do.
Remember, I'm your big brother"
II remember" she answered smiling
~, ;''and I'm going out to see what my
big brother is to have for breakfast"
Cavanagh found the street empty,
silent and utterly commonplace. He
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 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 creditable-some-
thing which smoldered beneath bis
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 it the station SEEM
ed lonely and disheartening. would
any woman for love of me come to
such hearthstoneY he asked him
self. "And If she consented to do so
could be SO selfish as to exact such
sacriAce2 No; the forest ranger In
these attitudes must be young and
heart free; otherwise his life would be
miserably solitary" .e
he was just dishing out his rude
supper when the feet of horse ON
the log bridge announced visitor.
With q feeling Of pleasure as well
- relief he rose to greet the stranger.
ANY visitor IL welcome this night"
10 said.
The horseman proved to be his for
ner prisoner. the old man Edwards.
who slipped from hts saddle with the
never falling grace Of the COW man
and came slowly toward the cabin.
He smiled YEARLY al he said: I'm on
your trail. Mr.. Ranger, but bear no
malice. You were doing your duty.
Can you tell me how far it Is to Am
bros campT ..'
There was something forlorn in the
mans attitude. and Cavanagh's heart
softeped. Turn your horse into the
corral and come to supper" he com
manded with western bluntness.
"Well 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 Isl"
II do" replied Ross. to whom the
stranger now appeared in pathetic
guise. "Any man Of his age consent
Ng to herd sheep is surely. hard hit by
the rough hand Of the, world he rea-
soned. and the closer he studied his
visitor the palmer he felt his ungov-
erneI past
81 suppose Gregg paid your fine?" he
said
Eyes,
"In 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
me. but told you the truth. Young
epsxx rot me to ride int the range