The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-10-16

creek on any pretext."
As he stood In the door the 6utter
Of q handkerchief. the waving Of q
hand. made his pulse glow and his
syes grow dim. II was virginia.
Lie did not Gutter a kerchief or
wave a hand. but when swenson stop
ped the carriage at the bridge she said
~No. you don't. I'm going across. I'm
going TO see Ross and II he needs help
I'm going to roll up my sleeves and
take hold"
Cavanagh saw her advancing. and as
che came near enough for his voice to
reach her he called out: Don't come
any closer! Stop. tell your His
voice was stern. "you must not come
Q step nearer. Go back across the
dead line and stay there. No one but
the doctor shall enter this door. Now.
that's final"
"1 want to helpr' she protested.
81 know you do. but ! won't have II.
This quarantine is real. and II go,s-r'
But suppose you yourself get sickr'
"we'll cross that bridge When we
get to 1t. I'm all right SO far. aud I'll
call for help when I need IT,"
His tone was imperative. and she
sbeyed. grumbling about his youth and
the value of his life to the service.
That's all very nice" he replied.
hut I'm in II. and I don't intend to
expose you or any one else to the con-
tagion."
I've had II once" she asserted.
He looked at her and smiled In rec
ignition Of her subterfuge.
"No matter: you're ailing and might
take II again. so toddle back. It's
mighty good of you and Of Lee to
come. but there isn't thing you can
DO. and here's the DOCTOR" he added
n he recognized the young student
who passed for physician In the
Fork. He was a beardless youth of
small experience and no great cour-
age. and as he approached with hest
tant feet he asked:
Are you sure it's smallpox"
Cavanagh smiled. The indications
are all that way. That last importa.
ton OF Basques brought II probably
from the steerage Of the ship. I'm
told they've had several cases over In
the BASIN
"Have you been vaccinatedT"
"Yes. when was In the army"
'Then you're all right"
eel hope So"
There was a certain comic relief In
this long distance diagnosing Of a
cease" by boy. and yet the tragic
fact beneath II all was that wether.
ford was dying. a broken and dishon-
ored husband and father. and that his
identity must be concealed from bis
wife and daughter. who were much
more deeply concerned over the ran
ger than over the desperate condition
Of his patient. And this must con-
tinue TO be So" Cavanagh decided.
And as he stood there looking toward
the girls fair figure on the bridge be
came to the final. fixed determination
never to speak one word or make
sign that might lead to the dying
mans identifcatio "Of what use Is
itf' he asked himself "Why should
even Lie be maze " sufreri Wether-
ford's poor misspent life Is already
over for her. aud for Lee he Is only q
dim memory"
Redfield came near enough to see
that the rangers face. though tired.
showed no sign Of illness and was re-
lieved- who is this old herderY" he
a Oh b.. rala "a in
the country"
He came from Texas. so he said
You're not coming int" be broke OF
to say TO the young physician. whom
Lie had shamed into returning to the
cabin.
81 suppose I'll have to-" he protest
ed weakly
81 don't see the need of II. The
whole place reeks Of the poison. and
you might carry II away with you.
Unless you insist on coming In and
are sure you can prevent further con-
tagion shall oppose your entrance.
You are In the company of Others
must consider their welfare"
The young fellow was relieved
swell. so long as we know what II Is
] can prescribe just as well right
here" he said and gave directions for
the treatment. which the ranger agreed
70 carry out.
81 tried TO bring a nurse" explained
Redfeld. but ! couldn't find any body
but old Lie who would come"
81 don't blame them" replied Ross.
1T isn't a nice job. even when you've
GOT all the conveniences.
His eyes as he spoke were on the
ngure of Lee. who still stood on the
bridge. awed and worshipful. barred Of
approach by Lie. she shall not
know" he silently vowed why put
her through useless suffering and
shame? Edward Wetberford's disor.
dered life IN near Its end To betray
him to his wife and daughter would
be but the reopening of an old wound"
He was stirred TO the center of his
heart by the coming Of Lee Virginia.
70 sweet and brave and trustful His
stern mood melted as be watched Der
here waiting, with her face turned
toward him. longing to help. 'Shs
would have come alone II necessary"
10 declared with fuller revelation Of
he self sacrif" ing depth Of her love.
and she would come to my side this