Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-24


| with a roof of dirt out of which dead
weeds Haunted. The front room. which
swarmed with men in rough clothing,
| seemed to be country store and post
| office as well as an eating house. A
small. active old woman met Ann with
| toothless grin. ''Step right this way
| and get out O. the smudge."
Ann followed her into u minute bed
roam which opened off the dining room.
The old woman began to clatter. Put
off your things here. My. but them's
fine furs, Did We drive up from the
Springs? Are you going on to the
camp?'
Yes"
"Waal you'll find it lively up there,
AS near as l can learn they mean biZ,'
she whispered. Some o Jack Mum
ros men are in there now eatin'. They
keep mighty sharp watch on who
comes in these days. Soon's you're
ready I'll put you and your man down
at my end of the table and I'll look
after ye.'
Ann laid aside her furs, but retained
her hat, and as she re-entered the room
made a dazzling appeal TO those rough
fellows. who eyed her with sly side
glances.
Braide, already seated, rose to meet
her. I'VE have reached an outpost of
The guard and will be Intercepted be-
fore we leave, l fear"
81 am quite ready to meet them,' she
replied, bending to her plate. "They
can't refuse to let us pass
The talk at the table was not illu-
mi IN "
TO fill his paunch before his fellow.
Only one of them seemed to study Ann
and her companion with candid inter
est. This was q small man with n
chin beard and an eye 0s keen as that
of blue jay. AS the other men filled
UP and left the table he came down and
carelessly took Il seat near Braide.
Il reckon I've seen you before" he
began pleasantly.
Il shouldn't wonder. I'm DIR. Braide
of Valley Springs"
Where you amin to go now, if it's
a fair question"
ITO Skytown.''
Coin to treat somebody" asked the
old woman. who was lowering near.
Ann interposed. Yes. he is going up
,'cat my brother Louis, who is lying
i ut Mr.. Raymond's cabin"
The stranger glowed again. Didn't |
see nothin' of the sheriff's army on the |
way. did ye?" Here he winked at |
Braide
The doctor smiled. "Not a thing. I |
don't think they've left the valley yet"
I'D advise 'em not to. I'm going |
over to the camp myself, and if you |
don't mind I'll jest nacherly jog along !
rod or two ahead of you-to show |
you the road"
AS he rose to 20 the stranger said: |
eff SO be it you folks have any influ- |
ence with Rob Raymond, preach him |
into joining the movement. It'll be |
mighty sight safer for him and big |
help to the miners"
After the miner left the room Braide |
said: We're in the enemy's country. |
He WAS plainly warning us. and his |
going along is in the nature of an arm
ed guard
His escort may be of use to us re-
piled Ann. who was that MANI" she
asked of the old woman, who fairly
whispered her answer
That's old Steve Adams. He's boss
of this squad. All six o. them men are
Munro'S pickets."
AS Ann and the doctor drove on the
clouds began to lift, rolling slowly,
reluctantly upward from
the timbered slopes.
Their guide rode rapidly. signaling
the doctor now and then to keep pace
with him, and after nearly an hour of
fairly level ground the road entered
n |
along a prodigious wall. which beat
back the clashing roar of small but
very swift stream of water
1t must have been about O'Clock
when they rounded the great base of
the Black Cone at the head of the
canyon and looked away across the
big camp and far out upon the valley
to the west.
Adams. their guide. was a consider
able distance in, advance when a
couple of hOrsemen encountered them
After moments conference one turn
I'd back, and the other came on swiftly.
AIMS heart glowed with the hope
hat it might be Raymond with a mes
sage from the sick one, but it proved
% be Munro. He came up swiftly and,
setting his horse upon his launches,
capped cavalierly to the ground.
Good evening, lady" he called as he I
approached the wagon. Have you ,
ourneyed far?' I
How is Louis 2" asked Ann quickly, I
With instant revolt of his assurance I
He felt the impersonal rebuke of her |
manner and replied simply: HE is bet
er this afternoon, so / hear / have $
lot had time to call. 1t is pleasure to !
ee you again" He fixed his eyes on I
Ter companion. 81 don't think / know G
'ou," he said, with a challenging in r
lection in his voice. Q
Il am DIR. Braide of Valley Springs"
Ann explained. DR. Braide comes to (
ttend my brother Y
Munro's face lost its reckless smile, 1
nd he looked worn and pale. DOC I
or. I'm glad to meet you.' \