Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-06

Ieel Uettei lOI ~.
Two days went by, and still the stu
alton between the mine owners and the
strikers remained nearly the same. The
owners at the lower range had not yet
succeeded in getting enough men in to
90 to work. Several Of them who had
gone on from Champion had been per-
suaded to leave. The troops were still
at De Mott, and the speeches Of the
miners in their daily meetings at the
park were growing more bitter against
them. The wounded officer at the no.
tel was recovering. His friends had
come up to take care of him, and the
doctor thought he could go home Mt the
end of the week. Andrew Burke had
proved delightful companion to the
officer. He had moved some Of his
choicest roses down into the room and
had himself proved the truth Of the
| proverb, "a merry heart doeth good
| like medicine"
1t was Friday night that the Vas
PLANES had invited Aunt Royal, Lou
Use and Stuart to quiet dinner at their
house. Stuart did not want to 60. He
knew what the company would be, and
he had no liking for the young Vas-s
plalne who for a year or two now was
evidently trying to win the favor of
Louise. Stuart, even before the expert
ence which made life new thing for
him, never had any fellowship except
that of an acquaintance with Vas
| PLANE, and he knew enough about him
to dislike his immoral character and
his general make up as man.
| The family was exceedingly wealthy,
and next to the Duncans' their house
was the finest in Champion. 1t was
built at the other end of the valley to-
ward the park. The elder vasplaine
had retired some years before. His
brother and his son carried on certain
lumber and copper Industries north of
Champion. They were not directly in
terested in the iron mines, except as
they were involved in the general con-
dition Of business, all of which, of
course, felt the effect of the strike.
There was also in the family daugh-
ter, Miss Una vasplaine, young wo-
man about Louise's age. The girls
had been playmates.
Stuart was sitting by Miss vasplaine
at this dinner, and the conversation
was general all about him. He was
just replying to question put by his
companion, and she had rallied him on
his serious appearance. Miss Una was
vivarlous, a striking looking girl, and
Stuart in the old days had always
found her an agreeable talker. He
smiled in reply to her question and
was on the point Of answering when
the whole company received q shock
that set the ladies screaming and the
gentlemen starting to their feet in
alarm.
The large dining room fronted OH the
yeranda, and magnificent plate glass
window extended from the floor almost
to the ceiling, looking out on the pine
tree lawn. The night was clear and
frosty. 1t was growing late in the sea-
son, and winter would soon set in; the
ground was bare now and dry. The
moon was Just coming up over the Da-
Wis hill range.
Suddenly through this window q
chunk of iron ore came crashing right
over the table. 1t scattered the glass
in every direction, crashed through the
pendants Of the electric chandelier and
smashed into the mirror over the side
board, knocking 1t into splinters, and
then, falling down on the sideboard it.
self. broke the glassware and dishes
right and left.
/ Tho ffnfr q IN fo1 IN
SO without warning, that the compa-
ny was terrified and altogether shock
ed. Aunt Royal was the first to speak.
"That's the work Of some Of your
precious Strikers
II don't believe it." Stuart shouted.
In his heart he cursed the saloon and
all its great wickedness. He believed
the hand that flung the ore was rum
crazed.
The men all rushed out on the veran-
da, and the elder vasplaine, thorough
ly incensed at the outrage, ordered his
horses out, and as soon US they were
ready he and his brother started of
down the road in pursuit. Word was
sent to the police force in Champion Of
the affair. Stuart remained with the
ladies' for awhile, and then,s as young
Vasplaine volunteered to escort them
home, he hurried down into the town
to investigate the matter. He, did not
believe any of the miners would do
such a thing. They had done enough
that had prejudiced the owners against
them, but only when under theiinflu-
ence Of drink. Besides, vasplaine was
not an owner now although he had
been years before. ~ u.
| Stuart found everything quiet in the
town. Nest of the miners were still
in De Mott. 1t was murmnred that a
large load Of men was coming in that
night. He remained ut the office. a
little while and then started out for
home.
AS he came out on the street he saw
the Salvation Army. 1t was kneeling
at the corner for its outdoor meeting
just before going to its hall to hold its
regular. service. Rhena Dwight was
kneeling right on the hard stones Of
the pavement offering prayer. Stuart
see the pale, earnest face. He hest
tated where he was. He. thought he
would go on home. Then he thought
he would go into the hall and see
what kind Of meeting the army had.
At last as the army rose, and went by
up the street beating Its drum. he turn
ed slowly and walked in the same d.
rection. Just as he entered the hall he
might have heard ifshe had not been
too absorbed in where he was going q
sound borne over the. frosty ground
and through the clear mountain air
from the direction Of De Mott. 1t was
the sound of thousands Of feet strik-
ing the earth and coming toward
Champion.
CHAPTER vi.
A MEMORABLE NIGHT.
n