Cavanagh,
Forest
Ranger
The Great Conservation
Novel
By HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright, 19 10. Wy tUnUa GrUnd
CHAPTER XVI I.
CATANAQHS LAST TlOn. BEOllfS.
0'
N Uls solitary ride upward auJ
bonieward the ranger search
ed his heart and found it bit
ter and disloyal. Love h;:d
Interfered with duty, and pride hud
checked iiud defeated love. Ilia (Kith,
no longer clear and definite. loo)ed
.uwuy aimlessly, lost in vague, obscure
nieandertugs. Ilia world bud suddenly
grown gray. He bad no trade, no busi
hess. no special skill save In the ways
of tbe mountaineer, and to return to
tils ancestral home in England at tbe
moment seemed a woeful confession of
failure.
It was agaiu dusk as he rode up to
his own hitching ole nod slipped from
tbe-saddle.
Wetherford came out. Indicating by
his manner that be had recovered his
confidence once more. "How did you
find things iu the valley?" lie iuqulred
us they walked away toward the cor
.ml.
"Bad," responded tbe ranger.
"In what way?"
"The chief has been dismissed, and
all the rascnls are chuckling with glee.
I've resigned from the service."
Wetherford was aghast. "What for?"
"I will not serve under any other
chief. The best thing for you to do
is to go out when I do. I think by
keeping on that uniform you can get
to the train with me."
"Did you see Llze and my girl?"
'No: I only remained In town a mlu
vile. It was too hot for me. I'm done
with It. Wetherford. I'm going back
to civilization. No more wild west for
me." The bitterness of his voice touch
d the older mau's heart, but he con
sidered it merely a mood.
"Don't lose your nerve. Mebbe this
nd8 the reign of terror."
"Nothing will end the moral shift
lessaeaa of thia country but tbe death
of tae freebooter. That Job was' done
by men who bated the dagoes hated
'em because they were rival claimants
for. the range. It's nonsense to. at
tempt to fasten it on men like Nelll
Ballard. Tiie men who did that piece
of work are well known stock own
m-s."
"I reclion that's ro."
"Well, now. who's going to convict
them? I can't do it. I'm going to pull
out as soon as I can put my books In
hape, and you'd better go too."
They were standlug'at the gate of
the corral, and the roar of the moun
tain stream enveloped them In a cloud
of sound.
Wetherford spoke slowly: "1 bate to
lose my girl now that I've seen ber.
but I guess you're right. And Llze.
poor oid critter! It's a shame the way
I've queered her life, and I'd give my
right arm to be where I was twelve
years ago. bat with a price on my head
ud old ago coming on I don't see my-
elf ever again getting up to par.
It's
a losing trame for me now."
There was resignation as well ns
despair In his voice, and Cavanngh felt
It, but he said: "There's one other ques
tion that may come up for decision. If
that Basque died of smallpox you may
Iosslbly take It."
"I've figured on that, but it will take
a day or two to show on me. I don't
feel any ache In my biuies yet. If I
do come dowu you keep away from
me. You've got to live and lake care
of Virginia."
"She should never have returned to
this accursed country," Cavauagh
harshly replied, starting hack toward
tbe cabiu.
The constable, smoking his pipe be
side the llreplace. did not present an
mixlous face. On the contrary, he
seemed plumply content as he replied
to the rangers greeting. lie repre
sented very well he type of officer
which these disorderly com nuui ties
produce. Drove and tireless when
working along the line of his preju
dices, he could be most laxly inefficient
when his duties cut across his own or
his neighbor's Interests. Being a cat
tlemau by training, he was gln.l f tin
red herring which the Texas o'liivr
had trailed across the line of his pur
suit. This attitude still further inflamed
Covanagh's Indignant hate of tbe eun
try. The theory which the deputy d.'
veloped was transparent folly. "It was
Just a case of plain robbery," he ar
jrued. "One of tbem dagoes had inou
y, and Nelll Bnllard and that man IM
wards Just naturally fullered him and
killed the whole bunch and scooted
That's my guess."
An hour later the sound of a horse's
hoofs on the bridge gave warning of a
Tlsltor, and as Cavauagh went to the
door Gregg code up. seeking partlcu
lars as to the death of the herder nud
the whereabouts of the sheep.
Tbe ranger was not In a mood to In
Ite th sheepman in, and, besides, he
perceived the danger to which Wether
ford was exposed; therefore his an
nwers were short Oregg. on bis part,
did not appear anxious to enter.
"Vhathappened to Hint old hobo I
eril "Up?" lie uatetl.
Cavanajh briefly retold his story, and
at the end of it Gregg grunted. "You
say you burued tbe Cent and all the
bedding V"
"Kvery thread of It. it wasn't safe
to leave It."
"Whit ailed the man?"
"1 don't kuow. but It looked and
smelled like smallpox."
The deputy rose with a spring.
Smallpox! You dldu't handle the
cuss?"
Cavanagh did not spare him. "Some
body bad to lend a baud. 1 couldn't
see him die there alone, and be had to
be burled, to 1 did tbe Job."
Oregg recoiled a atep or two, but tbe
deputy stood Staring, the implication
of all this sinking deep. "Were you
wearing the same clothes you've got
onr
"Yes, but I DFed a slicker while
working around the body,"
"Qood king!" The sweat broke out
on tbe mun's face. "You ought to be
arrested."
Ross took a step toward Mux "I'm
at your service."
"Keep off!" shouted the siierlCf.
Ross smiled, then became very se
rious. "I took every preen utlou, Mr.
Deputy. I destroyed everything that
could possibly carry the disease. I
burned every utensil. Including the
saddle everything but the man's
horse and his dos."
The officer caught up bis bat and
coat and started for the door. "It's
me for the open air," said he.
As the men withdrew Ross followed
them and, standing In his door, de
livered his final volley, "if this state
does not punish those fiends every de
cent man should emigrate out of It,
turning the land over to the wolves,
the wildcats and other beasts of prey."
Gregg as he retreated called hack:
"That's all right, Mr. Itauger, but
you'd better keep to the hills for a
few weeks. The settlers down below
won't enjoy having a man with small
pox chassaylng around town. They
might rope nud tie you."
Wetherford enme out of bis biding
place-with a 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. I don't
think we'll be troubled by any more
j visitors, not even by sheriffs or doc
tors, i reckon you ana i are in ior a
couple of months of tbe quiet life the
kind we read about."
Cavanagh now that be was definite
ly out of the forest service perceived
tbe weight of every objection which
bis friends and relatives had made
against bis going Into It. It was a
lonely life and must ever be so. It
was all very well for a young unmar
rled man who loved the woods and
hills beyond all things else and who
rould wait for advancement, but It
was a sad place for one who desired
a wife. The ranger's place was on
the trail and In the hills, and to bring
t 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
Cavanagh tolled at his papers, resolv
ed to leave everything In the perfect
order which he loved. Whenever he
looked round upon his belongings, each
and all so redolent of tbe wilderness.
be found them very dear. Ills ch:ilr
which he had rived out of slabs; his
guns, tits rones, ins saddles ana tneir
accouterments all meant much to
him. "Some of them must go with
me," be said, "and when I am settled
down in the old home l ll have one
room to myself which shall be so com
pletely of tbe mountain America that
when I am within it I can fancy my
self back in the camp."
He thought of South Africa as a pos
slblllty and put it asldo. knowing well
that no other place could have the
same Indefinable charm that the Rocky
mountains possessed for the reason
that he bad come to them at bis 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 I to do?
I'm beginning to feel queer. I reckon
the chances for my having smallpox
are purty fair. Maybe I'd better drop
down to Sulphur and report to the au
thorities. I've got a day or two be
fore the blossoms will begin to show
en me."
Cavanagh studied him closely. "Now,
don't get to thinking you've got It I
don't see how you could attach a
germ. Tbe high altitude and tha
winds up there ought to prevent In
fection. I'm not afraid for myself,
but If you're able perhaps we'd better
pull out tomorrow."
Later In the day WetAerford express
ed deeper dejection. "I don't see any
thing ahead of me anyhow," be con
fessed. "If I go back to the 'pen' I'll
die of lung trouble, and I don't know
how I'm going to earn a living in the
city. Mebbe the best thing I could do
would be to take the pox and go un
der. I'm afraid of big towns," he con
tlnued. "I always was, even when I
had money. Now that I nm old and
broke I daren't go. No city for me."
Covanagh'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 I go and In my company." His
voice was harsh and keen, and the old
man felt Its edge, but be made no re
ply, and this sad silence moved Cav
anagh Jo repentance. Ills Irritability
wafned lilffl OT "SonkiVilg " UevpTy
changing in his own nature.
Approaching the brooding felon, he
spoke gently and sadly. "I'm sorry
for you. Wetherford. I sure am, but
It's up to you to get clear away so that
Lee will never by any possible chance
find out that you are ullve. She has
romantic notion of you as a repre
sentative of the old time west, and It
would ite a dreadful shock to her if
she knew you as you are. It's hard to
leave her. I know, now that you've
seeu her. but that's the manly thing to
do- the only thing to do."
Oh, you're right of course you're
right But I wish I could be of some
use to her. I wish 1 could kind of keep
watch over her. I'd be glad enough to
play the scullion In her kitchen. But
if you're going to take ber"
But I'm not," protested Ross. ".I'm
going to leave ber right here. I can't
take her."
Wetherford looked at him with
steady eyes. Into, which a keen light
leaped. "Don't you lutend to marry
her?"
Ross turned away. "No; I don't I
mean It Is impossible."
Why not? Don't tell me you're al
ready married?" He said this with
menacing tone.
"No; I'm not married, but" He
stopped without making his meaning
plain. "I'm going to leave the country
and"-
Wetherford caught him up. "I reck
on I understand what you mean, iou
consider Llze and me undesirable par
entsnot Just tbe kind you'd cut out of
the herd of your own free will. Well,
that's all right. I don't blame you so
far as I'm coucerned. But you can for
get me consider me a dead oue. I'll
never bother her nor you."
Cavanagh threw out an Impatient
hand. "It Is Impossible," he protest
ed. "It's better for her and better for
me that I should do so. I'm going
back to my owu people."
Wetherford was thoroughly roused
now. home part of his old time fire
seemed to return to him. He rose from
his chair and npproached the ranger
firmly. "I've seen you act like a man,
Ross Cavanagh. You've been a good
partner these last few days a son
couldn't have treated me better and
I bate to think HI of you. But my girl
loves you 1 could see that I could
see her lean to you."
Ross said slowly: "It will be hard
for you to understand when I tell you
that I care a great deal for your daugh
ter, but a man like me an Englishman
cannot marry, or he ought not to
marry for himself alone. There are so
many others to consider his friends,
his sisters"
Wetherford dropped his haud. "I
see: Ills tone was despairing. "When
I was young we married the girls we
loved In defiance of everything. But
you are not that kind. You may be
right. I'm nothing but a debilitated
old cowpuueher branded by the state
a man who threw away his chance
but I can tell you straight I've learned
that nothing but the love of a woman
counts."
In the meantime Lee Virginia wait
ed with increasing Impatience for
Ross Cavanagh's return, expecting
each noon to sec til in appear at the
door. But when three days passed i
without woid or sign from him her
uneasiness deepened Into alarm. The
whole town was profoundly excited
over the murder, that she knew, and
she began to fear that some of the
ranger's enemies had worked their evil
will upon him.
With this vngue fear In her heart,
she went forth Into the street to In
quire. Oue of the first men she met
was SIfton, who was sitting, as usual,
outsldi the livery barn door, smiling,
inefficient, content. Of him she asked,
"Have you seen Mr. Cavanagh?"
"Yes," he answered; "I saw him yes
terday, Just after dinner, down at the
postofllce. He was writing a letter at
the desk. Almost Immediately after
ward he mounted and rode uway. He
was much cut up over his chief's dis
missal." "Why has he not written to me,"
she asked herself, "and why should he
have gone away without a word of
greeting, explanation or goodby? It
would have taken but a moment's
time to call at the door."
The more she dwelt upon this neg
lect the more significant it became.
After tho tender look In his eyes,
after the ardent clasp of his hand, the
thought that be could be so indifferent
was at once a source of pain and self
reproach.
With childish frankness she went to
Llze and told her what she had learn
ed, her eyes dim with hot tears.
"Ross came to town and went away
back to his cabin without coming to
see me."
"Are you sure he's been here?"
"Yes. He came In, got some letters
at the postofllce and then rode
away" Her voice broke as her dis
appointment and grief overcame her.
Llze struggled to a sitting position,
"There's some mistake about this
Ross Cavanagh never was the whittling
kind of man. You've got to remember
he's on duty. Trobably the letter was
some order thnt carried hlra right back
to bis work."
"But if be had really cared he could
have ridden by to say Just a word. But
he didn't He went away without a
sign after promising to come." She
burled her face In the coverlet of her
mother's bed nnd wept lu childish grief
and despair.
Llzo was forced to acknowledge that
the ranger's action was Inexplicable,
but she did her best to mak light of
It "He imy have hurried to town on
some errand and hadn't a moment to
spore. These are exciting days for
him, remember. He'll be in tomorrow
sure."
With a faint hope of this the girl
rose and went about ber dally tasks,
but the day nassed and another with
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--t...... .J 9
out word or sign of Hie recreant lover,
and each day brought a deeper sense
of loss, but her pride would not er
mlt her to show her grief.
Young Gregg, without knowing in the
least the cause of her troubled face,
took this occasion to offer comfort.
His iimnncr toward her hud changed
since she no longer had a part in the
management of the eating house, nud
for tliut reason she did not repulse him
as sharply as she had been wont to
do. He really bote Cavanagh no 111
will and was. Indeed, shrewd enough
to understand that Lee admired the
ranger and that his own courtship was
rather hopeless. Nevertheless he per
sisted, his respect for her growing as
be found her steadfast in her refusal
to permit any familiarity.
"See here, Miss Virginia," he cried
as she was passing him lu the ball, "I
can see you're worried about Llze I
mean your mother and If I con be
of any use I hope you'll call on me."
As she thanked him without enthusi
asm ho added, "How Is she tonight?"
"I think she's better."
"Can I see her?"
Ills tone was so earnest that tbe girl
was moved to say, "I'll ask ber."
VI wish you would. I want to say
something to her." , .
Llze's voice reached where they
stood. "Come In, Joe; the door's
open."
lie accepted her Invitation rather
awkwardly, but his face whs Impas
sive as he looked dowu upon her.
"Well, how ubout It?" she asked.
"What's doing In the town?"
'Not much of anything except talk.
The whole country Is buzzing over this
dismissal of the chief forester.
'They'd better be doing something
about that murder."
'They are. They're going" up there
in streams to see where the work was
done. The coroner's inquest was held
yesterday." He grluued. "Turtle
came to their death by persons un
known. ' "
Ll:;e scowled. "It's a wonder they
don't clarge It up to Ross Cavanagh
or some other ranger."
"That would be a little too raw,
even for this country. They're all
feeling gay over this change In the for
estry bead. But. see here, don't you
want to get out for a tide? I've got
my new machine out here. It tides
like silk."
"I reckon a hearse Is about m,
kind," she replied darkly. "If you
could take me up to Cavunogh's cabin
I'd go," she added. "I 'want to see
him."
"I can take you port way," he In
stantly declared. "But you'd have to
ride a horse the last ten miles."
"Couldn't do It, Joe," she sighed.
"These last few days I've been about
as boneless as an eel. Funny the way
a fellow keeps going when he's got
sou.fttlilng to do that has to be done
I'll tell you wbnt, if you want to take
me and Lee up to Sulphur I'll go you."
"Sure thing. What day?"
"Not for a day or two. I'm not quite
np to It Just now, but by Saturday I'll
be saddlewlse ngnln."
Joe turned Joyously to Lee. "Thni
will be great! Won't you come out foi
a spin this minute?"
For a moment Lee was tempted
Anything to get away from this hoirl
blu little den and the people who In
fested It was her feeling, but she dls
trusted Gregg, and she knew thnt ev
ery eye In the town would be upon her
If she went, and, besides, Ross might
return while she was away. "No; not
today." she replied finally, but her
voice was gentler than It had ever
been to him.
The young fellow was moved to ex
plain his position to Ll.e. "You don't
think much of me, and I don't blame
you. 1 haven't been much use so far.
but I'm going to reform. If I had a
girl like Lee Virginia to live up to I'd
make a great citizen. I don't lay my
arrest up against CavaniiKlt. I'm ready
to pass that by. And ns for this ot'ni
business this free range war In whit li
tho old man Is mixed up I want you
to know that I'm against It. 1ih1
knows his day Is short; that's what
makes him so hot. But he's a bluiT
Just n fussv old. bluff, lie knows h
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ESAIUJER,
THE
d
has no more right to the government
grass thau anybody else, but he's go
ing to get ahead of the cattlemen if he
can."
"Does he know who burned them
sheep herders?"
"Of course he knows, but ain't go
ing to say so. You see, that old
Basque who was killed was a monopo
list too. He went after that grass
without asking anybody's leave. More
over, he belonged to that Mexican
dago outfit that everybody hates. The
old man Isn't crying over that Job; It's
money in his pocket. All the same,
It's too good a chance to put the hooks
Into the cattlemen; hence his offering
a reward, and It looks as If something
would really be done this time. They
say Nelll Ballard was mixed up In It
and that old guy that showed me the
sheep. But I don't take much stock
lu that. Whoever did it was paid by
the cattlemen, sure thing." The young
fellow's tone and bearing mude a fa
vorable Impression upon Llze. She
had never seen this side- of him, for
the reason that he had hitherto treat
ed her as a bartender. She was acute
euough to understand that her social
status had changed along with her re
lease from the cash register, and she
was slightly more reconciled, nlthough
she could not see her way to provid
ing u living for herself and Lee, For
all these reasons she was unwontedly
civil to Joe and sent him nwny highly
elated with the success of his Inter
view. 'I'm going to let him tnke us up to
Sulphur," she said to Lee. "I want to
go to town."
Leo was silent, hut n keen pang ran
through her heart, for she perceived
In this renin rk by her mother a tacit
acknowledgment of Ross Cavanagh's
desertion of them both. Ills Invita
tion to them to come and camp with
blm was only a polite momentary Im
pulse. "I'm ready to go." she an
nounced at last. "I'm tired of this
place. Let lis go tomorrow."
(To Bo Continued.)
MURDOCH.
(Special Correspondence.) !
Al llaiier took in Hie circus ul
Lincoln Monday.
Harry Tliomns was visiting his
mother Sunday.
Emile Harry of Alvo was in
town Sunday evening.
I.ona Husli is visiting with
Dorris l'anncter of F.lmwood.
Kd Tliinifran and wife entertain
ed Kmil Kuehn nnd wife at dinner
Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. William (iehrls
nnd daughter, Ma, were in Omaha
Monday.
Ernest Hart, from near South
Ilend, spent Sunday with Lacey
McDonald.
Miss Elsie Thomas of Lincoln
is visilinK her mother, Mrs. Sam
Reiser, here.
Miss Kate Anwwerl took sup
per wilh Miss Lyda Sorick on
Sunday evening.
Mrs. William Rush and daugh
ter, Miss Verna, went to Elmwood
Monday evening.
Mrs. Hranckle and Mrs. Ihirne
inier were passengers to Omaha
last Thursday noon.
Al Crum was confined to his
bed several days Inst week, hut
is about again now.
Miss Ellen Oakemier and little
sister were passengers to Lincoln
last. Monday morning.
Iavid Thimgan returned (o his
work al. Omaha Thursday, afler
spending the Knurl h at home.
The infant daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Charlie Craig has been real
sick, hut it heller at present.
Herman Onkcmier returned to
Kansas City last Thursday, after
visiting a few days with relatives
here.
r.eorge Mooney and wife took
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iasolino
ingino
U
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HARDWARE MAN
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dinner with his parents Sunday.
W. O. (iillespie whs at Lincoln
Monday.
Peler Mockenhaupt and wife,
from near Greenwood, visited with,
Oscar McDonald and family Sun
day afternoon.
Mrs. Rose Wnite returned la9t
Friday evening afler visiting a
few days with relatives and
friends at Council Hluffs,
Mr. and Mrs. Fred fiordep and
daughters, Dorothy, and Helen,
.of Weeping Water, spent Sunday
at I he K, T. Tool home here.
Henry Tool has had a new
porch built on the front of , his
house, which adds greatly .Jo. the.
beauty of bis home. Depner did
the work.
Andrew McNamara and dan sh
ier, Mrs. W. O. Oillespie, . left
Tuesday for Fairmont, Neb.,
where (hey will visit William Mo
Namara nnd family.
Mrs. Katie Amgwert and
Lydu Sorick went to Lincoln on
No. 17 Monday to take in th
circus in the evening. They r-
turned on No. 18 Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry McDonald
and children, Bryan nnd Irena,
left Monday for Slrallon, Neb.,
where they will Mrs. Mc
Donald's parents. From thern
they will go to Palisade, Neb., to
visit wilh Mrs. McDonald's sister.
They expect lo be absent from
home a month.
In vital ions have been received
in our (own announcing Hie com
ing marriage' of Oscar Rickle,
formerly of Ibis vicinity, but now
of Driinunond, Oklahoma, to Mis
Hazel Oliver, also of thai place,
which is to take place on Thurs
day, July l.'l, Oscar's many
friends here wish him and his
bride all kinds of good luck, nlso
a long ami happy wedded life.
Last Monday afternoon the Ut
ile friends of Hazel Haurer went
lo her home and helped lo cele
brate her ninth birthday. Th
afternoon was spent in games
and music. A lunch was served
of oranges, bananas, cake and
lemonade. Those present were:
Mabel and Mary Hush, Ruth
Jones, Mildred, (lladys ami Ruth
Sorick. Marguerite McDonald,
Margeret Tool, Dillep Ult, Rich
ard Tool, Hazel and Ciertrud
Hauer.
Escaped With His Life.
"Twenly-one years ago I faced
an awful death," writes H. B.
Martin, Port Harrelsnn, S. fi.
"Doctors said I had consumption
and the dreadful cough I had
looked it, sure enough. I tried
everything I could hear of for my
cough, and was under Jhe treat
ment of Hie best doctor in Oeorge
town, S. C, for a year, but could
get no relief. A friend advised me
to try Dr. King's New Discovery.
I did so, and was complotely
cured. I feel that I owe my life to
this great throat nnd lung cure."
It's positively guaranteed for
coughs, cobls and all bronchial
affections. 50c and 1.00. Trial
hoi lie free at V. ft. Fricke & Co.
Announcement
I hereby announce myself as a
candidate on the republican ticket
for the nomination for the office
of county commissioner of the
Second Commisisoner district
subject lo the decision of Hie vot
ers at the coming primary elec
tion. 0. K. lleebner.
For Sale.
Brood sows and male hogs for
sale or will trade for fresh cows.
Fred Patterson. 7-0-3tw
