Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-20


 his large interests i'll tue Red Star.
 Inc sheriff Nt!iantly responded t1 thc cali anl With Il half dozen deputies. marched up into the glittering mist ot the high peaks and came down again empty handed and sullen
 X meeting of the officers of the Red Star and allied companies was called Barnett presiding. Most resolute res olutions were passed Mdckay was in. structed to press h:s demands to the full. Barnett naturally opposed a con ference With the miners "Eitller they come to our terms or we close down the mines,' he said. Tt is our cue ta be firm ill this demand"
 Ihe sheriff. who had been invited to be present and tell his tale. put ill q warning word.
 "Ge!t!eia"ll," sai., he. "you're deal ing with a lot of free miners and pros pectofs- men Wlo won't he driven and can't be scared. If it had been jtlst a case of ignorant dAg0es would have brought c.a t.oEza. bat they've got lGaa CTS that you cUnt monkey with, When Hob Smith, Denver Dan aud that devil Jack Munro met Nc W1th thtr holsters tied down l threw UP my hands. You are from the east. where things arc different. About onetllird of the men on the peak are old prospectors aa,. free miners, and if they stay by the proposition y9u've got to take a sneak or put Up the fight of the ase.''
 We stand pat said Barnett and We shall insist on your ;llresting tile men who assaulted Mr. Mackay.'
 The sheriff made an elaborate bow "Right you are. Mir Barnett. but I'll want d hundred deputies To do it with"
 Moving With such secrecy >s he could, the sheriff collected and sWorc in some ninety men, the holdest aH5i hardiest to he found in all the towns of the valley. They were not sedat" and considerate citizens. but they were brave. or at least reckless. and without exception experienced wearers of guns. They profesSed themselves quite able and willing to bring down anybody ill the hills. After being armed and pro visioned u " Were to be sent round by WAY of a railroad which Was build ing toward the camp from the south
 Barnett was heedful of his words at home and made light of the probable opposition of the miners, but Louis. with a boys ability to discern what was going on, soon acquired pretty clear idea of the plan, and when Ann asked him not t0 return to the heights on Monday he w;ts ominously calm, but asserted his right to go where he pleased
 Rob wants me and needs me. aHd I'm going. You can put me ill jail. but that is the only Wa% If there is going to be war, am going to be ill it. and I'm going to be on the side of the miners"
 Ann wrote swift and fervent note to Raymond:
 am trusting Louis to your care be- cause he will not stay. You have won his heart from us, and we are poWerless to prevent his return. Guard him, for the sake of his boyish sweetness. for my sake.
 She wrote no further, for as her mind dwelt upon that camp of ruffian miners and their desire for battle bit ter resolution swept over her. Il Will test his love for me" With cold inten- sity she announced her purpose. If you insist on going back to that camp I shall go too"
 You must not go,'' said Louis. Its no place for you
 Tt is no place for you.'
 He asserted himself again. "I can take care of myself"
 MT Raymond has asked me to keep you here.' She went to him and put her arm about his neck. "Stay with me. laddie. l am missing you these days
 In the end she seemed to prevail, but she took no pleasure in her victory, TOT he went about the house like young eagle pinioned Nothing save the news of the camp interested him, and when the time came for the sheriff to start on his new raid he became greatly eX- cited
 There's going to be battle,' he said to Ann. ''I'm going"
 No, no!' s!!e pleaded.
 He turned upon her with resenttul stamp of his heel II can't stay here like a kid.'
 She changed her tone "Very well. When shall we start?'
 He looked at her steadily, and into his eyes came a softer gleam. eve just thought" he began reflectively; you can stay with Mrs. Kelly till we build wing for you. She's nice wo- man and lives in the cunningest little log cabin. That settles it! We will go right away, todayv'
 Ann was at loss. but did not show 1t. If you are determined to go. then there is no use in waiting. Let us start at once!"
 While Mrs. Barnett suggested what to wear Don ordered carriage to take Ann and himself to the train. and Louis saddled his horse for his return trip up the stage road. 'I'll beat you up,' he