The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-24

even tell you that Munro has promised
to come down for final conference
with the independents and that we are
still hoping to persuade him to leave
the camp"
The sick boy stirred uneasily and
called family, and Ann went to him
and bent above him tenderly. Here
1 am, Buddie. Are you better"
ooh, I'm so hot! Take that blanket
off me-"
Raymond looked at Ann. "Shah l
tighten his load?"
She shook her head as she put glass
of water to the boys lips. What time
Is it?'' he asked as he fell back upon
/ his pillow.
..Going on 10 o'clock"
.Has the fight come off yet?''
| Raymond was cautious. "No, the
camp is quiet"
He insisted on talking II hope they
won't fight till I get over this cold. It's
hard luck to be here. What day is It!
How long have I been sick? You
should have seen Jack when he rode
up and stopped the manr' In this way
his mind leaped and danced for an.
hour, but he grew drowsy at last and
went away into sleep.
Ann spoke first "Poor boy! He will
always feel defrauded to think ne is
missing all the drama"
/ 'sYour father must have been such
another enthusiast I liked his name
for you
She colored. s'That was the only
thing I had to reproach him for. I re-
/ proach myself now for not acquiescing
in it. 1 think it grieved him to have
me side with mother against it"
/ "It is a sweet name to me-Hesper."
He uttered it with the tenderness
which dwells, in the voice Of lover,
and its letters sang together-but he
dared not look at her.
Raymond was Fastening to apologize
! for his temerity when the noise Of a
galloping horse cut short his speech
and whitened AIMS cheek, so porten-
tous was the sound Of haste at such
an hour. Il hope that is jack" said
the miner, and fastened to the door to
meet and silence Munro, who entered
with studied effect and, removing his
sombrero, bowed very low to Ann.
Good evening, naughty princess.
How's the kd?
(! Ann, relieved to find the flying mes
senger an expected though unwelcome
visitor, replied pleasantly, "He's bet
ter. thank you"
/ A covert smile curled tie handsome
lips of the young leader as he glanced
from Raymond to Ann, and something
In his bearing puzzled the girl. When
he spoke again, with a growing delib-
Grafton, she perceived that he was in
liquor.
| "You mustn't be alarmed these are
rough times, but you'll be protected.
Battles comm off this time, sure
thing. We move on the enemy at day
break. Sit down Don't stand in nay
presence he added, with Z con,ic;.i
w .S: VI HiS HpS
Ann turned With a startled glance
to Raymond. who se.lial,g said: In
glad you came down, Jack. I want
YOU to hold conference with the in
dependents"
Munro stiffened. 'sNo time for con-
f'rence. No time to talk with any
one. just came down to say howdy
to the lady, that's ali. Understand"
His voice rose.
Raymond lifted a warning hand.
"Quietly, ole man, don't disturb the
boy. Let's go find Kelly"
Munro's face grew sullen. Don't
want to see Kelly-don't want to see
you. I've come to see the lady, He
faced Ann again. I'm going into bat
tie. May be killed tomorrow. Had to
say goodby. may not see you again"
To Raymond's great relief Kelly, who
had heard Munro arrive, appeared at
the door. His manner was easy and
his voice low as he greeted the intrud-
er. Hello, Jack! How goes the Ma
poleonic business?"
Munro turned with darkening brows
and labored to be gloomiiy impressive.
SCOT 'em scared, all right. They're
meditating retreat this minute"
Kelly laid hand on his shoulder.
LAD, you need sleep. You're worn
OUT
Raymond, with a significant look at
Matt, turned as if to stir the fire, a
movement which brought him behind
his visitor.
Munro put his hands in his pockets
and laboriously explained: "Been try
in TO keep awake on whisky. Tri1e
shot this minute, askin' Lady AIMS
pardon"
Raymond's right arm encircled the
young leaders waist, pinioning the
deadly right hand to his side, while
Kelly. seizing the almost equally skill
full left, whipped the young desperado's
revolver from his belt.
For a moment the fangless rattle