Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-10-19
CHAPTER XIV.

49, ed and his face lined with suf-
fering it was good to feel his familiar
self reaching out to her from his house
of pain.
How did you get here" he asked.
Il drove with DR.. Braide."
I'm pretty sick. I'm glad you came,
Sis" and he put his hand feebly into
hers. Where's Rob?
Hes sleeping. You must be quiet
now or you'll wake him."
"He's been good to me-"
"Sh, dearest" she pleaded. Don't
talk now. Go to Sleep"
Il don't want to sleep. I've slept
enough. 1t makes my head ache
WORSE"
In the end the boy ceased to groan
and twist and at last slept, but Ann re-
fused to go to bed. Her anxiety and
the many questions pressing to be an
sWered engaged her so deeply that she
felt no need Of sleep. Toward mid
night Braide, in despair of inducing
her to sleep, stretched himself in a
low chair and fell into doze
1t was exactly o'clock when a
single gunshot rang out sharply, like
the voice Of sentinel questioning the
silent night. AS the girl listened tense
ly, three others, deeper throated, an
swered in quick succession. Then
silence again interviewed for moment,
only to be torn by fusillade, a rat
tat-tat Of assault which brought Braide
to his feet
Ann hurried to Raymond, calling
sharply, Rob. they are shooting!
Don't you hear them? Quick! Quick"
| Raymond rose to his feet dizzily and
looked at her blankly, the mist of sleep
thick In his brain. Other shots and
cries followed, and though faint and
far they cleared his vision. Catching
a belt Of cartridges from the wall and
turning to Braide he sternly asked,
"Can you shoot?"
Before Braide could answer another
shrill chorus Of yells, fierce as the out
cry of wolves, arose, a vivid light
filled the room, and second later a
dull conclusion shook the earth be-
meath their feet Ann shrank and
covered, but Raymond, menacingly
quiet, remarked: "Well, our turn has
come. They've blown up our shaft
house."
"Oh. no!' cried Ann. 'srhey wouldn't
do that. They daren't do that"
'That's what they've DONE" he BIT
terly assured her. Then thought en-.
tered his mind which staggered him.
'The men-the men were in the mine"
he shouted and rushed into the dark
ness.
Ann heard his blows upon the door
Of the other cabin as he called: Boys,
roll out! The power house is blown upl
The men are in the minel Quick, out
with youl Buckle your gunsl"
Then the girl recognized Kelly's
great voice. He was calling as he ran,
ROB, are ye there2'
Eyes; I'm rousing the boys"
cts the shaft house."
ut looks that way
"And the men. lad; the menu
II don't know, Matt. I've Just got
on my feet"
So much Ann heard before the sound
Of their feet died away down the path.
The sleepers IN the bunk house began
to rumble and clatter about on the
bare floors. One by one they emerged,
slamming the door behind them.
Once outside the door the women
could see the flames growing each mo-
ment in power, licking with avid
tongues at the confused mass of spin.
tered beams, and on the curtain of red
light the forms of Kelly and Raymond
played in silhouette as they strove furi.
ously against the destroyer. Their
workmen soon Joined them, and each
moment some fastening rescuer hur-
tied past the open door and as he ran
cursed in bitter frenzy.
"Annp' called Louis from the bed.
Faint as it was, the girl heard his cry
and hurried to his side.
Eyes, I'm here. laddie. What do you
want2 How do you feel7H
"My head aches so. can't breathe
good. He moaned. "Oh. dear. I'm SO
hot" The voice of his anguish stung
Ann to the soul. With sign to Nora,
commanding silence, she closed the
door in the hope that no sound from
the burning mine would penetrate to
the bedside.
Nora hurried back to her cabin, while
Braide dropped some helpful drug upon
the boys tongue. When his patient had
grown quiet the young physician said:
"If you are not afraid, will 60 down,
Some one may be hurt and my help re.
| CURED"
go. I am not afraid" she COM
manded. "Only remember your first
duty is here"
II do not forget that" he answered.
But even as he was collecting his outer
clothing and his medicines Raymond
flung the door open and entered. His
hands We're blackened and bleeding,
his head was bare, and on his face was
a look that thrilled the girl. Doctor,
three wounded men are coming up the
hill. They must be made comfortable.
Ann, you would better 60 back to Kel-
ly's. These victims must be sheltered
here, aud they are not pleasant to see"
Ann felt herself diminishing in pow
er and Importance as he spoke. His
voice came from the mans world
harsh, infleXible-but she uttered a pro-
| test-"Louisy'
His face softened and his hand went
to his brow. II forgot; you are right
| we must not endanger him. I will have