Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1906-08-15
HESPER
By HAMLIN GARLAND
[coNTINUED.1
1908. bB Hamlin Garland

uOSl important lndlter ol all TeIndlneu
unsettled between them, and all day
and the next while the forces of dis
order dissolved and the camp readjust-
ed itself to military rule, Ann nursed
her sick and brooded over her prob
lem.
The second day passed slowly-even
though she slept at times-and no fur
ther word of intimate meaning passed
between them. Raymond came in from
time to time with news of the changes
in progress, but did not tell her that the
state was full of praise of the part he
had played In bringing peace to the
camp. He shrank from doing this, for
the reason that, as usual, the press
was extreme, loading him with compli-
ments for his firm stand, for his infiu-
ence over Munro and for his powerful
protest to the governor, whereas, to his
mind Matthew Kelly was the leader of
the free miners. II was only the Sec
retary-the clerk" he explained.
Dolan however, brought to Ann n
knowledge of the great light which had
been turned suddenly on her lovers
abashed figure, and the glow Of pride
which came to her brought keen
realization of how closely his success
was interviewer with her good wishes.
Hounded and brout d to bay by his
admirers, Raymond made speech
bluntly protesting that he was not en-
titled to any credit in the matter. II
tried hard to keep out of it, he de-
clared I'm not seeking honor of that
kind" But his argument was in vain.
His denials We're called the excess of
modesty, and at a meeting of the vari-
Gus factions looking to an adjustment
he was amazed to find himself put for
ward as chief arbitrator of the eonten-
tion. mainly by Barnett and the mayor
of Valley Springs.
Just at sunset, as Ann, lingering at
Louis side, was about to cross to the
Kelly cabin, Munro, wild, white and
breathless. burst into the room.
"Where's my gum he demanded.
"Where's RobY" He was hunted
man in every look In every gesture.
MY gum he demanded sharply and
ran into the inner room. When he re-
appeared his face was set in "A grim
smile, for in his hand dangled a shin
ing weapon. His panic was at an end.
Whose faced him now must give ac
count of himself.
"Goodby, girl" he called, and his
voice was wildly tender. Don't for
get mer' With bound he reached
Barnetts horse and rose to the saddle
just as a stern voice called "Halt!'
and blade of fire reached out of the
dusk and pierced his side
Squirting his horse in swift, rear
ing circle, he flung from his right hand
an answering puff of smoke, and tall
man with rifle in his hands dropped
at the corner of the cabin, but from his
knees again took aim, and the beauti-
full horse went down, flinging his des
perate rider over his head.
Horriied, frozen into immobility
Ann stood in the doorway, while Nun
TO shook himself free from the saddle
and dragged himself clear of the groan-
ing horse. Resting himself on his ell
bow, with the face of a calm panther,
he confronted Il second armed officer
His right arm was useless, but his
mind was clear, his eyes steady, and
as his new assalant approached he
shifted his weapon to his left hand
and rolled upon his useless right arm
and the bullet intended for his heart
went wide then Lifting himself with
terrible effort he fired again and put
a bullet into the very heart of his pur-
suer, who fell in a heap just as Ray
mond and Barnett. followed by Kelly,
came rushing - the scene of combat.
Raymond bent above the fallen leader.
How is it, Jack? Are you hurtT
"Hurt? I'm shot 10 pieces Raise
me up There's another Let nae get
him" lie struggled again to rise.
Raymond pushed him gently to the
earth. Never mind him now You
need help. Where's the doctor? Why
didn't you jump the camp, as Kelly
told YOU to do, Jack, old MANI Why
didn't your
How could mo horse-no gum
I'm no jack rabbit to 20 sinking into
the sagebush." lie raised his voice
querulously. "Some o. you boys get
me Il drink. | feel weak"
a half dozen started, but Braide put
a glass TO his lips. Munro looked at
him with a steely CLEAN in his eyes.
Il ought to kill YOU" he said slowly,
for doing me last night" His voice
rose to stern command: Take hold
and stop this blood. l cant stand this
very long. Don't you see that" he
ended, with a note of fierce impatience
in his voice.
At Braide's orders they took him up
and carried him into the bungalow
where Louis lay watching, listening
with Ann close beside him trying to
shield him from the sight and sound
of this tragic end of a gambler.
The dying man suffered the doctors
examination in silence for awhile then
quietly asked: "Well, doc, what's your