The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-03-16

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nearer, and a group of five drab COL
ored horsemen drew up ut the hitching
pole with loud outcries, each man set
ting his pony on end with wrench at
the reins. - 49,
H..Hello, Bob!" shouted the leader.
"Howdy, boys-howdy?" he replied
Ecoldly. 1t was plain he was not well
pleased by their inopportune call.
''..Got anything to eat 2" asked one OF
them as lie staggered up.
4 .'Sure thing. Tidy up and come ill.,"
Raymond, turning to Ann. said gently:
"Perhaps you and the boy had better
/ step into the other room. This gang is
coming in
ss'rhey're not dangerously
but some of them are not 1T to
eat in the presence of a lady"
/ !sssLouis will want to see your guests"
'Very WE'LL" replied Raymond and
turned to meet his visitors, who ap-
lDeared fresh from a hasty toilet.
| "Coine right in, boys. What's the best
word from over the ridge?"
! The man who entered first was big,
! rawboned, wide mouthed, freckle faced
fellow, who CAPPED in amazement as he
! caught sight of Ann. Hello! What's
all this:" he asked, launching the man
4 next him.
Tie insolent vulgarity of his tone
brought Il flush Of anger to Raymond's
face. "Shut up!' he commanded In
low voice Then added in explanation,
'sSome Of Barnett's folks visiting the
ranch" At the moment he hated them
i all with sudden realization of their
\ essential cheapness and their filthy
manners. X. 49, ,-*.s-... -.
\ As they took seats each man glanced
at Ann with furtive, devouring eyes,
and she thrilled under the scrutiny as
she would have done beneath the glare
of a wolf. She had a sudden sense Of
danger. II am getting close to the ele-
tai man." she thought, and by con-
trast Raymond assumed new interest
Though his clothing was almost as
rough as theirs, his face and voice be-
trayed good blood and refinement. She
wondered whether Wayne Peabody
could stand between such mob of
ruftians and woman. This man Ray
mond dominated them easily. =.
the groupings in tile sunset light, which
had begun to dim little. To him
these men We're heroic. Their physical
hardwood, their slouching grace, their
rumpled hair, their tag ends Of ker
chiefs and greasy belts and cuffs were
! all "bang up material" The avid glare
under which Ann shivered was hidden
from the eyes Of the boy, but Raymond
took note Of every nudge, every wink
that passed, and once or twice he fixed
his eyes on the man they called Spec
kle in a look which stayed coarse jest
upon his lawless lips.
They talked of the great, new mining
camp on the side of Mogalyon, whereto
they we're all bound, They're striking
it rich in the grass roots, and we're 60
ing up to take a hand in it. Why, last
weeE they made three strikes on Pine
mountain within fifteen feet of the sur.
face. They say the placer is turning
out $40 a day. So we're riding up to
turn rock on our own account. The
cattle business is done for. Gold chas-
ing is the game now"
"Say, Raymond" called out little |
man down by the stove, you'd better
hustle out your gang and meet that |
fire. It's coming right over the ridge
this way and is getting worse every |
minute. !" 81. ~:
Raymond's face betrayed keen inter"
est. "I'ye been trying to locate that
fire all day. It's over about Round
Top, isn't it,"
ooh, no. It's away this side. Looks
like it's sure to take Williams hay If
he don't watch out, and yours too"
why didn't you ride over and see
just where it was p asked Raymond.
TOO busy. Speckle replied loudly,
and the others laughed. Pm after
gold now. I'm sick o. forkin' hay"
Raymond's voice grew sterner. "You
didn't leave Williams short handed to
fight that fire Pr VIII ~.,.
mo matter whether we did or not;
we've got done. Our time was up;
we've got our pay. He can fight his
own fire; we're not responsible" They
all laughed as though this were good
joke. %s4Fz$;.:. ..t =, ~ ..
Raymond's next words were as cold
and calm as they were unexpected.
"You get up and get OFT O. here, every
man of you. / mean nos" His anger
broke out as they started. Il don't