Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-06-01

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we've Wy gylde up tns NH, Sny gu.ro
as well az guide, / take It."
"ild rather have been ysur execu-
tionep"
"For what reason?'
Had L known you were coming to
get the queen of the peak your blood
had stained the heather"
"Good hea yens, what an escape! Am
/, quite safe nowr lie asked Of Kelly.
This fooling over, they took seats,
and the conversation ran to the pros
pects of the camp, and Peabody, with
: feeling that Kelly was the man Of
richest experience, persuaded him to
foil something of his wonderful career
as a trailer of golden pathways.
RAYMOND sat in silence, while Ann
evoke to a delicious excitement In the
situation. Before her sat three very
direct and forceful lovers regarding
each other like tigers, instinct win
hate vet masking it, pretending to
honor and good will while bitter 1eal-
ousy ragged beneath. she PROVOKED
Munro to the most audacious sayings
merely to see Peabody stare, and she
flung an appealing word at Raymond
now and again as IL valuing his opin-
ion above all others, though ne MADE
but curt answers, returning TO ms nre'
mvstified by her gayety and by her
subtlety of byplay. Munro, so far from
being depressed by Peabody's pres
ence was carried quite beyond MS
usual self, and his reckless compliments
had a keen edge. In the end Ann re-
GREETED her encouragement OF his au-
dacity.
Raymond's guests rose at last, ana
Ann and Peabody went away togetner.
This cut deeper than all else, ana
Louis. who took very pessimistic view
of the whole affair, did not comfort
him. She'll go back with him. can
see that" he said. "And she'll want
me to 60, too, but won't"
Munro went away outwardly jocular'
hut inwardly sadder than he had ever
been in his life, for his love FOR Ann
was mingled with respect for her mind'
her character. Her calm and kindly at
titude toward him that night mad Deeh
q revelation to him.
Peabody on his return found Ray
mond sitting alone by his fire. Louis
was deep in slumber.
ssThat man Munro is an interesting
fellow. What do you know about him =
asked the lawyer.
"Not very much. He's rather secre'
tive. He came here from Sylyanite,
believe"
Ellis Jokes about getting under my
ribs were little grewsome. He struck
me as lust about medieval enough Ia
do thunder proper conditions. Tell me
about yourself. Ann has only praise
for YOU. | want to thank you most cor
daily for your kindness to her and &c
the boy He's much improyed-iess
nervous and more manly"
II doubt If lie can be persuaded tt
leave. He told me tonight that he
wouldn't 60"
'Well, I'm glad l met you, Mr.. Ray
mond. / shall feel easier about the boy
In case we do go east without him."
These cordial, frank and manly
words struck an icy chill to Raymond
heart. 1t was all over then. She hat
consented to go, and his life was lait
waste. He rose unsteadily.
"You must be tired. Shall show yo'
your bunk?" he asked.
81 believe will turn In" RESPONDED
Peabody.
When the young miner returned 7
his seat beside the fire big lump o
pain filled his throat, and he owned
boyish desire to fling himself down OF
the floor and sob. He lost all shame
his weakness at length and went gu
into the night-tO be alone with tn
deepest grief of his life.