His brother's keeper by W. C. Tuttle

"His brother's keeper by W. C. Tuttle" is a Western short story written in the early 20th century. Set in a scorched desert valley, it examines a hard-bitten sheriff’s absolute devotion to the law and how that zeal collides with fate, family, and frontier justice. Sheriff “Duty” Deming alienates his wife and drives away his children by enforcing the law without mercy, even sending his own son to prison on dubious evidence. After arresting a sick hobo for train-hopping, Deming contracts a fever and still rides alone into the lava beds to capture Red Cowan, accused of murdering rancher Al Mitchell. Collapsing in the wasteland, he is found and nursed by Cowan—who is innocent and keeps the sheriff alive at an abandoned ranch. Delirious and obsessed with duty, Deming tries to arrest Cowan and fires wildly, only to die as his former deputy arrives with the truth: the real killer, Slim Delong, confessed before dying, and Mitchell had framed Deming’s son. The story closes on the bitter irony that Deming’s worship of his badge—his “other god”—ultimately destroys him, even as justice belatedly clears his boy. ... Read more