, 1906-04-04

dNdy uBdl1, anu IL dO ~ He auotu
d~efiantly.
Raymond, after u pause, slowly re-
sumed: "Now, l want to make a COM
pact with you. If you'll go down and
see her, | will write a letter interceding
for you and asking her to let you re-
turn"
The lads face was suddenly illumi-
mated. Ho threw out his small palm.
'Ill do it!' he cried out. and his tone
carried conviction.
Raymond continued: you like me,
and | like you. You can't live in the
Springs, and your sister can't live
here. So it seems that | must be your
big brother and look after you. And.
bark We, you must mind what l say,
or I'll take a birch to you"
This threat seemed not to appall the
boy. Can | work in the mine?'
NO; you can't work in the mine, but
I'll find something on top for you to
do. You must take care of those lungs
OF yours for awhile. But come, let's
see II we can't catch the stage"
"Oh. let me stay till tomorrow
pleaded tie boy. 4 don't want to 60
today. It's too beautiful to miss"
Raymond reflected Il moment. VERY
well. but you'll want that stage ride.
It's one of the finest roads in the
mountains. You rattle down the can
yon tomorrow. sure thing. Remember
that!'
Together they went down toward the
mine, where a group of men were
building a log cabin. Here is where
we are to live, provided your sister
consents"
Barnett came riding up the hill about
shutdown and Immediately at sight of
Louis began u jocose TRADE. You
scamp! You young flyaway! A nice
interlude you've given us. Ann hadn't
slept a wink for Il week till she got
your message yesterday. How long
have you been here?"
Raymond fastened to say, 81 induced
him to wire as soon as he turned up
Had you been here all the time, you
young rattlepate?'
Louis was not afraid Of Barnett.
les, i was uOWu lHcIc lOOhlllS lOT
Rob" He pointed toward the town of
Bozle.
"Well, I'm to bring you home-in-
stantly!"
Louis took shelter behind Raymond.
mo, you don't. Tell him, Rob"
Raymond winkcd at Barnett. Hes
going tomorrow on a promise to me.
Don. I've made a bargain with him
He can tell you about it on the wa.
Moreover, he is e,4.s ly stage. He's
on honor"
When they were alone Barnett said:
1.-THE most u~naccountable of all things
is the human heart. That boy is crazy
about you. BY the way, how's the
lung"
almost as good as ever"
"Your constitution is a wonder. And
The mining deal?"
every promising"
In the talk that followed Raymond
learned for the first time of the pro-
posed consolidation Of the Red Star
with two or three other heavy proper
ties, and they fell into n discussion Of
the camp.
IF l had my way" said Barnett,
I'D have this meddling idiot Larned
thrown out of the camp. What bust
ness has he here? He's a rank out
slider anyway, and this union is a
breeder of war;"
Raymond raised a warning hand.
Careful, Don. 1t doesn't do for you to
say such things up here. This union
has come to stay, and you who employ
labor will do well to treat it with a
certain measu of respect"
But you're an employer too"
Raymond laughed. "Oh, my little
crew don't count. They're all pros
pectors or cowboys, and, besides, l
work right with them and am classed
as a working miner. Your case Is diff
ferent."
Barnett went away calmly superior,
but came back from a conference with
Mackay, the superintendent Of the Red
Star, less naughty of manner, but dis
tinctly more acrid of tone. "Mackay
says this COMPOUNDED union is growing
rapidly and that practically every in
coming miner joins at once. l told him
to nip the thing in the bud, and he has
begun to formulate a plan to do So"
Wait a year." warned Raymond.
Wait till pay for my mine"
That night as Louis sat before the fire
in the center of the unfinished cabin
his face shone with joy and the heart
of the tall miner grew very tender to-
ward him. 1t was good to have this
gay young brother of his love to keep