Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-24

I the doorstep, ana tnen lie said: Ine
! Lord God has made a power o. people
that the Kellys have not seen. This is
! wan of them. Now, isn't that won
! der? He putithe whole thing together
| in five minutes'' Thereafter he ac-
| cepted the boyifor the cunning that lay
in his fingers.
RAYMOND wrote that night to Ann as
formally as the riot in his brain would
permit:
planned to take myself out of your
life as completely as If L were dead. but
Louis would not have il SO. When L
met him on the hill today and he told me
how long he had bean from home. de-
termined to hustle him back to the
Springs but he asked to stay a day or
two, and here he is. Will you trust him
with me? He will tire of il here by and
by and go back to you. of his own accord.
Just now he is mad over the life and the
scenery. AS for myself. am a new man,
with new aspirations. They may not
seem very high to you. for L am striving
now to acquire gold, but that is only Il
means to an end. There is something else
in the world for me to do. don't know
what il is to be-perhaps my care of this
wonderful boy is a part of it. At any
rate, he is here and,not to be driven away
without great risk to him and deep pain
to me. So, unless you object. shall keep
him. Our life is rough, but not contain
mating. / Will see that no harm comes to
him.
There was nothing more personal in
the letter than this, but AIMS heart
warmed to the writer unaccountably.
And yet the thought of Louis in a min
ing camp troubled her. Il ought to go
and fetch him away" she said to Don.
NO, no. You remain here, and L
will go over and see the little scamp
and bring him back if possible
The next morning Raymond put into
action a measure be had formulated
during the night lie called Louis to
him, and together they assembled the
Lookout" as Kelly called the ledge
back of his cabin. "See here. lad, I've
brought you up here to ask you Il few
questions" said he.
Louis braced himself. Fire away
"As I understand it, you and-Ann
are alone in the world mean you are
closer to each other than to any one
else-she's your best friend. You've
given her u great deal of anxiety, my
lad, and that isn't right. You must 90
straight back to her and apologize and
ask her permission to come back. If
she consents, then I'll make place for
you here"
''She won't consent. I'd have to run
away again, and I'd do it, he added
defiantly.
Raymond, after a pause, slowly re-
sumed: Now, l want to make a COM
pact with you. If you'll go down and
see her, 1 will write a letter interceding
for you and asking her to let you re-
turn
The lads face was suddenly illumi-
mated. He threw out his small palm.
I'll do IT." he cried out, and his tone
carried conviction.
Raymond continued: "You like me,
and l like You. You can't live in the |
Springs, and your sister can't live |
here. So it seems that 1 must be your
big brother and look after you. And, |
bark We, you must mind what 1 say, |
or I'll take Il birch to you
This threat seemed not to appall the |
boy. Can work in the mine?''
mo; 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 if we can't catch the stage
''Oh. let me stay till tomorrow
pleaded the boy. II don't want to go
today. It's too beautiful to miss"
Raymond reflected a moment. Very
well, but you'll want that stage ride.
It's one of the finest roads in the
mountains. You rattle down the cam
yon tomorrow, sure thing. Remember
that,''
Together they went down toward the
81
log cabin. Here is where
we are to live. provided your sister
Barnett came riding up the hill about
and Immediately at sight of
Louis began a jocose TRADE. You
scamp! You young fiyaway! y nice
you've given us. Ann hadn't
slept a wink for a week till she got
your message yesterday How long
have you been here?'
Raymond fastened to say, Il induced
him to wire as soon as ihe turned up"
HAD YOU been here all the time, you
young rattlepate?"
Louis was not afraid of Barnett
yes; i WAS down here looking for
Rob-" He pointed toward the town of,
Bozle.
well. I'm to bring you home-in-.
stantlyv' Il
Louis took shelter behind Raymond. II
mo, you don't Tell him, Rob"
Raymond winked at Barnett. Hes
going tomorrow on promise to me-
Don. I've made a bargain with him.
He can tell you about it on the way.
Moreover, he is going by stage. He
on honor"
When they were alone Barnett said:
1.-THE most unaccountable of all things :
is the human heart That boy is crazy /
about you. By the way, how's the ]
lung? II
almost as good as ever" &
Your constitution is wonder. And !
the mining deal?''
Very promising
u