The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-09-11
CHATTER XIV.
PLAGUE AND MURDER.

anagh and Wetherford entered
upon wide and sterile slope
high on the rocky breast Of
the great peak whose splintcred crest
lorded the range. Snow fields lay all
about. and few feet higher up the
canyons were filled with ice II was a
savage and tempest swept spot in
which TO pitch a tent. but there among
the rocks shivered the minute canvas
home OF the shepherd. and close be-
side II. guarded by lone dog and ly-
ing like thick spread flock OF rimy
powders almost unnoticcable In their
silent immobillty) huddled the sheep,
There's your house." shouted Ross
to Wetherford
The older man, with white face OF
dismay. looked about him, unable to
make reply.
Hello, there shouted Ross. won
dering at the absence OF human life
about the camp. Hello. the house,"
Receiving no answer to his hail. he
turned 10 Wethcrford. Looks as II
Ambro has pulled out and left the col.
lie TO tend the flock. He's been kind OF
seedy for some days"
Dlsmounting, he approached the tent.
The collie. who knew him, seemed TO
understand his errand, for he leaped
upon him as II TO kiss his cheek. Ross
put him down gently. You're almost
too glad to see the, old fellow. won.
der how long you've been left here
alone"
Thereupon he opened the tied Zap,
but started back with instant percep-
ton OF something wrong, for there, on
his pile OF ragged quilts, lay the
Basque herder. with flushed face and
rolling eyes. crazed with fever and en-
tirely helpless. You'd better not come
in here, Wetherford," Ross warned.
"Joe is here, horribly sick. and I'm
afraid it's something contagious. II
may be smallpox"
Wetherford rccoiled n step. Small
poX! What makes you think thatT"
well, these Basques have been haS
Ing 1t over In their settlement, and, be
sides, 1t smells like it." lie listened a
moment. I'm afraid Joe's in for Il.
He's crazy with IT, But he's human
being, and we can't let him die here
alone You rustic some wood for the
stove, and I'll see what can do for
him"
Wetherford was old and wasted and
thin blooded, but he had never been a
coward, and in his heart there still
burned a small flame Of his youthful
reckless, generous daring. Pushing
Cavanagh one side, he said with firm
decision: "lou keep out Of there. I'm
the one TO play nurse. This Is my
job"
Nonsense! am younger and
stronger than you"
Get away" shouted the older man.
"Gregg hired me TO do this work, and
II don't matter whether live or die.
But you've got something To do In the
world. My girl needs you. and she
don't need me. so get out OF here and
stay out Go bring me that wood and
III go in and see hats the matter"
Cayanagh looked him in the face an
Instant Very we'll" said he, I'm do
rs you say There's no use OF our
both taking chances"
II was beginning to rain. and the
ent was dark and dcsolate but as the
ire in the little stove commenced TO
mari and the smoke TO pour out OF
he pipe the small domicile took on
heer. Wetherford knew how to care
or the sick and In the shelter OF the
anvas wall developed Unforeseen Wig
n and decision II was amazing 20
,avanagh to witness his change OF
manner
Soon a pan OF water was steaming.
nd some hot stones wero az the sur
erer's feet. aud when Wet Nerford ap-
,eared at the door Of the tent his face
vas almost happy. XIII sheep.
There isn't thing but heel of bs.
on and little nour In the place"
Twenty miles OF most difficult trail
ny between Cayanagh's cabin and
his spot. TO carry the sick man on
is horse would not only be painful to
he sufferer, but dangerous TO the res
uer, for II the Basque were really III I