Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-25
CHAPTER xv11r.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE blowing up of the Red Star
mill and shaft house shook the
entire district with its possible
ties of further violence and con-
cealed beneath It's dust and smoke the
rich discovery in the Kelly mine. The
partners had time to calculate chances
and plan for the buying in of the prop
erty.
The din Of controversy was deafen-
ing. The labor leaders disclaimed all
knowledge of the outrage and roundly
condemned it for the foolishly destruc-
tive act it really was. Kelly marched
In among them like a grizzly bear and
stormed thunderously. you are re-
sponsible," he growled. You sit here
and send out appeals to the world
while these hounds work their will.
Where was Munro and his regulators ~
They can't be everywhere ex-
planned Carter. mo one supposed
such thing could happen IN the day
| light"
''Ye're all a set O. chicken heads
Ye've created power We can't control.
give We notice that If re don't go
after the thieves that did this work
I'll organize vigilance committee and
take charge Of the whole gang Of yez.'"
And he strobe out OF the room, leaving
the officers of the union disgraced and
angry. He confessed to Raymond on
his return that it was foolish action.
cit was, Matt. You couldn't have
done worse thing. A large number
of these dago miners already consider
us their enemies, and this will confirm
them. We might as well take steps to-
night to get our party Of the third part
In some sort Of organization"
All this excitement and worry aided
Raymond in tiding over the day, but
when midnight came and the commit
tee had slipped away into the night his
sense Of loss and q feeling Of loneliness
took possession of him. Ann had an
nounced her intention to return to the
| Springs at the end Of the week, and,
though she had vaguely promised to
visit the peak again, Raymond was not
deceived.
"She's quite right" he admitted to
his better Judgment. IA mining camp
Is no place for her or for Nora. Since
| the destruction of that mill It is even
less desirable than before as a place
Of residence"
While on his way to the bungalow
the following afternoon he met Munro
accompanying stranger, big, blond,
handsome fellow In gray travelling
suit and soft hat. His face was plump
and his brown beard close clipped, and,
though he realized that he was more
or less In durance. his eyes were smil-
ing
Munro called out, "Rob, do you know
this chapf"
II do not"
Munro turned to his prisoner II
thought you were lying"
The stranger remained untroubled.
II didn't say knew Mr.. Raymond. 1
merely said that / wanted you to take
me to him. Mr. Raymond, am
Wayne Peabody an old time friend of
Miss Rupert. Will you please explain
to this knight Of the hills that I am
in nowise interested in his striker
Raymond looked at him keenly. So
this was the eastern loverlthis fat,
fair man. IT think I have heard Of
you" he began slowly.
Louis arrival relieved the awkward
ness Of the moment. "Hello, Mr.. Pea
body, how did you get here?"
Peabody caught at the boys hand.
well, well, Louis. I'm glad to see you.
You saved my life. How is AnnT
Fine! You ought to see her work.
She's brown as oak. Come on, I'll take
you to her. Gee, she'll be glad to see
your
As Peabody excused himself and
made of, Munro, with world Of
meaning in his voice, softly swore
"Well, II I'd known that, would have
killed him and laid him away under
little rock. She turned me down fat
the other day, and it hurt. It hurts
worse now that I've seen the other
man. really hoped you were the win
ner.,'
shes out Of our world, Jack" re-
piled Raymond, and a large part Of his
resentment Of Munro's impertinence
vanished with the knowledge that he
was fellow sufferer In despair.
Munro went on gravely: "She had
me going, sure thing. why, stopped
drinking Just as told you would
and cut of Claire Say, boy, that
was severe jobl She raised dust for
day or two, but when the queen Of
heaven gave me my Jolt said, wat
the good? and slipped into my old
ways. Think Of US strutting around
the parade ground in front of the seats
Of the visitors with intent to beat out
old Grant, and here we are! Pm polio
Ing mining camp, and you're paving
dirt like a woodchuck. What fall is
there, my brother!'"
Raymond did not enjoy Munro's tone
and changed the subject. what are
you going to do now n
Munro ceased to laugh. II am going
to cinch this whole camp little tight
er from this on. I'm going to turn back
every nonunion miner. All you fellows
who are friendly can 60 on working
Just the same. but your men must put
themselves on record"
Raymond's face settled into stern
lines. Jack I don't want to be mixed
up In another mans fight. We are on
good terms with our hands they're a
lot Of cantankerous American citizens
anyway and can't be coerced. warn
you not to monkey with our plant,
Munro laughed. "I'll fight shy, old