Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-21

down on Barnett for putting AI;n.t:ty up to that trick. But you'll be perfert ly safe at Kclly's."
 At length .Ann's leader turned te- ward q dark, high point of rocks. the trail began to descend and q few min utes later they came to a warnl, lighted cabin. on the door of which the guide resolutely knocked. The late, was immediately lifted. and a small pale woman with d blur of yellow hl., about her head appeared in the light.
 Mrs. Kelly, Eve brought you a boar,ler," began the veaettc Ann caught sight of Il boy at the ta- bic and gave cry of joy. "0h. Louis. Louis."
 With whoop the boy rushed from , the cabin and flung his arms around her
 "Oh, Ann. but I'm glad to see YOU. Where is Cousin Don: Which way did you come: Rob has gone down to Bozlc to n2ect you"
 Ann turned to thank her guide. who was looking at her with undisguised admiration
 1t was d great pleasure" he re- piled. with all assumption of grand manner. 'lntroduce nle, pleslse," he said to Mrs. Kelly.
 T must introduce myself first" said the little Woalan. Il am Mrs. kelly. and youl guard is Mr. Jack Munro"
 Ann gave him her hand. "l thank Mr. Munro but l think he should have allowed Ml Barnett to come into shel ter. It seemed cruel to send him back on that long, cold drive"
 Munro remained unmoved "Oll, hell stay at Clayson's overnight"
 Mrs. Kelly put in d word. T think you better come into shelter. Yoa must be cold and hungry Won't you step inside, AIr. Mumro:"
 'No, thank you. IL is ;l great tempta- ton. but Eve work to do''
 And so, chilled and hungry. Ann en- tered the pleasant home of the Kenys. and the terror of the dark ride became Il part of the outer world shut away by the strong. rude door.
 Rob has gone down to the stage of fec explained Mrs. Kelly. We thought you'd come that Way"
 Mrs. Kelly put Ann down to some tea and cold meat, and while she was still at the table and in the midst of her story Raymond flung open the door,
 Here she is.' he called to some one behind him. and his white face and glowing eyes testified to his great anx- iety
 Ann rose to meet him with a rush Of trust and confidence that filled her throat and rendered her worthless, but she held her hand toward him.
 He seized it. ''I was greatly alarmed when l heard that you were coming alone. How did you come? How did you find the way:'
 Ann then said, Your friend Munro met us, turned Don back and piloted me up the hll."
 Raymond turned to a big man who stood waiting Miss Rupert, this is Matthew Kelly, my mining partner"
 Ann gave her hand into Kelly's enor- nous palm with look of admiration. II am glad to know you. MT. Kelly. l have heard Louis speak of you very often"
 In the presence of these men Ann lost all sense of fear and weakness. They were possessed of something Which Don, loyal as he was, lacked.
 Raymond's eyes hardly left her face, but she no longer resented his interest. On the contrary, she studied him close ly. There was a subtle change in him. He seemed older, gentler, but more manly and handsomer than before.
 "It is rude place for you to live, Miss Rupert" he said, "but there is no danger The strike has not involved us We are as peaceful as farm here.'
 She smiled back into his eyes with more of liking than she had ever ex- pressed
 II am not afraid,' she replied. "1 am going to find the camp interesting, At any rate, so long as Louis is settled in his determination to be miner. must keep him in sight"
 Tt is a great pleasure to have him with me, and am glad to be of use to him, for his own sake as well as for what you have come to mean to me-
 Ann's lashes fell before the glow Of his admiring eyes, and with this sign of weakness flush. of resentment again passed over her. "He must not look at me in that way" she complain ed to herself.
 When Raymond left the house to walk back to his own cabin he resent ed for the first time the presence of Louis He wished to be alone with the mysterious emotion which had swept back upon him at sight of Ann. He faced the night, out of which every shred of vapor had vanished, and the blue black vault, blazing with innu- merable jetting globes of light. invited to high thoughts, to serious imaginings
 His duty plainly was to lay hands upon the lad and hustle him back to Valley Springs and so put both brother and sister out of his life; but this was not easy. He argued that she was ill