, 1906-05-02


of our bronchos and steep trails. It
will be more comfortable than a wae-
Oh. After you've rested an hour or two
I'll bring round the horses"
Good morrow, friends," a clear
voice made them all urn. Jack Munro,
booted and spurred, stood in the door.
"And how is the lady of the silken
voice?'
Kelly greeted him coldly. Hello,
Jack. Come in and eat
Much obliged, me lord, but I've al
ready eat. | came round to see how
the lady stood her ride with me up the
hill"
Ann rose and faced him. Are you
the horseman who met us?'
The very same, lady. | don't often
hear voices like yours, and | wanted to
see If the face and voice were of like
quality. They are he added. with a
glance of unabashed admiration. In
troduce me-, Rob"
Raymond reluctantly complied. Miss
Rupert, this is Mr.. Jack Munro"
Munro stepped forward and held out
a very handsome hand, and AIM could
not refuse to take it. He was smaller
than Raymond and seemed hardly out
of his teens, as lie stood there smiling
brightly, his barred head lightly poised
on shapely shoulders, and some magic
in his smile made Raymond and Kelly
seem for the moment cold and resery-
ed. His assurance, his frankness,
unused her.
Il came to tell the lady that no harm
befell Colonel Barnett, her escort. He
was driven back to Grand View early
this morning and is at home ere this"
''Thank you for your good cheer"
said Ann. Il was not so sure of your
kindly intentions last night
He smiled again, and his white teeth
shone. Il must have seemed Il bandit.
I'm very glad | went to meet Barnett.
Brock might have made you more trou-
bic, and | would have missed the pleas
ure of being your guide and protector"
Kelly growled out, "Kape your muir
derin' scalawags as far from this cabin
as ye can
81 will see that you are not dis
turbed."
you speak as one having authority"
remarked Ann.
Il am captain of the yedettes," he re
piled.
What are they?
"A company of mounted police which
/ have organized to keep order here in
the camp. The lockout leaves many
men idle, and the local authorities need
help to maintain peace and quiet. My
force represents the union and its de-
sire to prevent violence in the camp.
You are quite safe here under u pro-
tection.'
you are very kind" replied Ann.
but aren't you one of those for whom
the sheriff comes?'
Munro laughed n silent, boyish laugh.
II believe l am included in his list of
notables, but assure you the honor is
quite undeserved."
"'Tis true he kicked Mackay down
the hill and put the mouth of his gun
to his ear said Kelly, but that's a
trile not worth mentioning"
Munro winked. "A mere practical
joke
With the punctilious grace of a dane
ing master he bowed himself out,
swung to his saddle and galloped away.
"When shall we start on Il tripT'
asked Ann, turning to Raymond.
Il will bring the horses round very
SOON" AS they stepped outside he
turned to Kelly and asked in n low
voice, DO you see any objection to
this trip to Boiler"
"Divil a bit. The sheriff will find
lack and his men waitin' for him on
the road. He'll get no farther than
Sage Hen flat this night. I'm goin' to
ride down the hill meself just to know
what's goin' on. Go ahead, lad; only
don't %loiter." The big fellow smiled.
Get back before sunset. whatever We
do"
Raymond resented MunrO's call and
forced Introduction to Ann more deep
ly than he cared to admit ever to
Kelly. 1t hurt him to think that AIMS
hand had lain within the clasp of a
man to whom women had ever been
merely n lower order of life. to be used
as playthings.
And yet | cannot say anything to
her." Raymond said to himself. 81
can't tell her what his life is. | dare
not even hint at it. But l can stop his
coming and his lips Strengthened
grimly-''and that will dor
ITO BE Continued