The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-10-02

might rope and tie you
wetherford came out Of his hiding
place with grave face.
They're right about our staying
clear OF town" said Cavanagh.
They'll quarantine us sure"
wetherford now that the danger Of
arrest was over was disposed TO be
grimly humorous. There's no great
loss without some small gain. don't
think wen be troubled by any more
visitors. not even by sheriffs or doc.
tors. reckon you and are In for a
couple Of months OF the quiet lifc-the
kind we read about"
Cavanagh now that he was definite.
/ ~ out OF the forest service perceived
| the weight OF every objection which
/ his friends and relatives had made
against his going into It. II was a
lonely life and must ever be so. II
was all very well for n young unmar.
ried man who loved the woods and
hills beyond all things else and who
could wait for advancement, but IL
was a sad place for one who desired
a wife. The rangers place was on
the trail and in the hills, and to bring
q woman into these high silences. into
these lone reaches Of forest and fell
would be cruel To bring children into
them would be criminal.
All the next day. while Wetherford
pottered about the cabin or the yard,
Va oh NJ ntx
ed to leave everything In the perfect
order which he loved Whenever he
looked round upon his belongings. each
and all so redolent of the wilderness.
he found them very dear. His chairs,
which he had rived out Of slabs: his
guns. his robes. his saddles and their
accouterments-all meant much 10
him. Some OF them must 60 with
me-" he said. "and when I am settled
down In the old home I'll have one
room to myself which shall be so com.
pletely Of the mountain America that
when | am within IL | can fancy my
self back In the camp"
He thought of South Africa as a pos
sioIllty anu put IL dslut' hHoNluS wei
that no other place could have the
same indefinable charm that the Rocky
mountains possessed for the reason
that he had come TO them at his most
impressionable age. Then. too. the
United States, for all its faults. seem.
ed merely an extension Of the English
form OF government
Wetherford was also moving in deep
thought and at last put his perplexity
into a question. What am | TO do?
I'm beginning to feel queer. | reckon
the chances for my having smallpox
are purity fair. Maybe I'd better drop
down TO Sulphur and report to the au-
thorities. I've got day or two be-
fore the blossoms will begin TO show
on me-"
Cavanagh studied him closely. Now,
don't get to thinking you've got 1t.
don't see how you could attach
germ. The high altitude and the
winds up there ought to prevent in.
lection. I'm not afraid for myself.
but II you're able perhaps we'd better
pull out tomorrow"
Later in the day Wetherford express
ed deeper detection. 81 don't see any
thing ahead of me anyhow" he con-
fessed. IF go back TO the pen I'll
die Of lung trouble, and don't know
how I'm going to earn a living In the
city. Mebbe the best thing l could do
would be TO take the pox and go I'M
der. I'm afraid Of big towns" he con-
tinued. II always was, even when |
had money. Now that | am old and
broke | daren't go. No city for me-"
Cavanagh's patience gave way. But,
man, you can't stay here! I'm pack
ing up TO leave. Your only chance
of getting out of the country is TO go
when | 20 and in my company" His
voice was harsh and keen. and the old
man felt its edge. but he made no re-
ply, and this sad silence moved Cav
warned him of something deeply
changing in his own nature.
Approaching the brooding felon, he
spoke gently and sadly. I'm sorry
for you, Wetherford, ! sure am, but !
it's up 10 you 10 get clear away so that !
Lee will never by any possible chance |
find out that you are alive She has |
a romantic notion Of you as a repre- I.
sentative of the old time west, and IL |
would be a dreadful shock TO her IL |
she knew you as you are. It's hard to
leave her, know, now that you've |
seen her, but that's the manly thing TO |
do-the only thing to do"
"Oh, you're right-of course you're 1
right But | wish | could be OF some |
use TO her. | wish | could kind of keep |
watch over her. I'd be glad enough to I
play the scullion in her kitchen. But |
II you're going TO take her.
But I'm not" protested Ross. "Im |
going to leave her right here. / can't .
take her"
Wetherford looked at him with f..
steady eyes, into which keen light
leaped. Don't you intend to marry
herT
Ross turned away. mo; I don't
mean II Is impossible"
"Why not? Don't tell me you're al
ready married." He said this with
tone.
mo; I'm not married. hut He