The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-12

N
VI because of them, Ann slept
4 y soundly. She was awakened
as before, by the sound Of the little cof-
/ fee mill, but she did not rise as prompt
ly as on the first morning and was still
doing when Nora appeared with a
piece Of corn cake and cup Of coffee.
'You feel tired this morning, know
Well, now, take your breakfast in
bed"
Ann was conscious smitten. NO, no!
You poor, dear thing! I am ashamed
to have you waiting on me-
Its so little-a mere step or two
eyes, but you have so many steps.
After this forbid you doing anything
of this kind for me, and I've been
thinking why can't we hire a China
man to work for us? Unless I can do
something to relieve you will not
stay. You are tired. wish you would
ask Mr.. Raymond to find US helper
today"
t.Hello, sis!'' shouted Louis. aren't
! you up yet? You'll never make min
er." Here he poked his head in at the
door. Jupiter, wasn't yesterday an
exciting day? It makes me sick to
think 1 didn't go down to Bozle with
you. Rob has been telling me about
Mats shielding the sheriff. 1t must
have been great. l was out on the
hillside. We all thought the sheriff
was coming up that way, but he didn't.
He turned back and went into camp,
and last night Jack went down and
pitched into him, and they had a
battle"
"They Gid: Was any one killed?"
"Ten."
Nora gasped. "herciful powersr'
$50 Perry says. Our side won.''
Ann frowned. "Our side! You are
not taking sides with these lawless
miners?"
Louis wished to siderack this dis
cussion. "Our things have come
"Have they? Very we'll; I'll get up
at once and unpack. I want you to
help me little here"
"And / want you to help fix up our
bungalow"
agreed. Now run away and find a
hammer and some taclzs.'
Together they worked to render her
room a little less bleak, and together
they crossed the path to Raymond's
! cabin, where they toiled nlerrily. Ann
was just leaving the bungalow to help
Mrs. Kelly with the midday meal when
Munro dashed up and flung himself
! from his horse.
"Good morning, Lady Ann! How
fares the day.
Something unduly presuming in his
tone irritated her, and she gave him a
glance intended to check and humble
him. 81 am quite well, thank you"
He was not of those whom disdain-
full eyes abase. He hugged himself and
shivered comically. Wow, but that
was cold breeze. Some one must
have left the bars down. You're not
going to draw the line on me. are you?
What do you know against me?"
81 know nothing against you or for
you either5" she replied.
She was turning TO go when he stop
ped her, and his tone was hard and
dry. :'You were in Bozle yesterday
with Raymond. Don't do that again.
When you want an escort let me know.
I'll send man that knows enough not
to take lady into danger and who
has 'sayvy' enough to keep his horses
for the return trip
''Thank you. You are very kind, but
Pm not in need Of additional protec-
ton" Ann icily replied.
"Goodby till tomorrow" he called
! after her in mockery, his voice as mu-
steal as bugle.
This interview, short as it was. left
the girl with the feeling Of having been
grasped and shaken by rude hand.
And yet her anger was not unmixed
with admiration. His magnificent au-
dacity and the grace and dash Of his
advance interested her.
Raymond saw Munro riding away
and wondered what his errand could
have been, and when Louis told him
that the gambler had stopped and de-
tained Ann in the path his teeth set in
anger. The little hound" he growled
under his breath "I'll put an end to
that
Imnediateiy upon finishing his sup
per he went up the path to Hanley's to
find '.the lookout" Munro was in his
place, sitting high above his faro lay
out clicking couple Of silver dollars
together talking with gleeful intensity
to Denver Dan, who stood at his shoul-
Ger broadly smiling. The saloon was
packed With men. all in high spirits
over the prec:pitace fightof the sheriff:
Munro sighted him at last and called
out: Hello, Rob- How goes i? ~
Raymond did not reply till he reached
his side. 81 want to talk with you.
Jack" he said in a low voice.
Munro studied him for a moment,
then turned to Dan. Take my place a
minute"