Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-25

no nonunion laborer will be allowed to
escape"
Raymond mechanically gave him q
chair, while Kelly nodded CURLY. Ann
bowed and said, Good evening, Cap
tain Munro"
Peabody alone smiled. 'Ah, you
We're my guide up the hill! My guard
as well as guide. take it."
I'D rather have been your execu-
TONER"
For what reason?
Had known you We're coming to
get the queen of the peak your blood
had stained the heather"
Good iiei,cn;. what an escape! Am
l quite safe ROW." lie asked of Kelly.
This fooling over, they took seats,
and the conversation ran to the pros.
poets of the camp, and Peabody, with
a feeling that Kelly was the man of
richest experience, persuaded him to
tell something of his wonderful career
as n trailer of golden pathways.
Raymond sat in silence, while Ann
awoke to II delicious excitement In the
situation. Before her sat three very
direct and forceful lovers regarding
each other like tigers, instinct with
hate. yet masking it, pretending to
honor and good will while bitter jeal.
ousy ragged beneath. She provoked
Munro to the most audacious sayings
merely to see Peabody stare, and she
flung an appealing word at Raymond
now and again as If valuing his opin-
ion above all others, though he made
but curt answers, returning to his fire
mystified by her gaycty and by her
subtlety of byplay. Munro, SO far from
being depressed by Peabody's pres.
ence, was carried quite beyond his
usual self, and his reckless compliments
had a keen edge. In the end Ann re
GREETED her encouragement of his au
dacity.
Raymond's guests rose at last, and
Ann and Peabody went away together
This cut deeper than all else, and
Louis, who took very pessimistic view
of the whole affair, did not comfort
him. shell go back with him. can
see that" he said. "And she'll want
me to go, too, but won't"
Munro went away outwardly jocular
but inwardly sadder than he had ever
been in his life, for his love for Ann
was mingled with respect for her mind
her character. Her calm and kindly>at
titude toward him that night had been
revelation to him.
Peabody on his return found Ray.
mond sitting alone by his fire. Louis
was deep in slumber.
THAT man Munro is an interesting
fellow. What do you know about him p
asked the lawyer
Not very much. He's rather secre
tive. He came here from Sylynnite, ]
believe"
His jokes about getting under my
ribs were little grewsomc. He struck
me as just about medieval enough tc
do thunder proper conditions. Tell me
about yourself. Ann has only praise
for you. want to thank you most cor
daily for your kindness to her and tc
the boy. He's much improved-less
nervous and more manly"
II doubt if lie can be persuaded tc
leave. He told me tonight that he
wouldn't 60"
"Well, I'm glad met you, Mr.. Ray.
mond. shall feel easier about the boy
In case we do go east without him."
These cordial, frank and manly
words struck an icy chill to Raymond's
heart. 1t was all over then. She had
consented to go, and his life was laid
waste. He rose unsteadily.
You must be tired. Shall show you
your bunk?" he asked.
II believe will turn in," responded
Peabody.
When the young miner returned to
his seat beside the fire big lump of
pain filled his throat, and he owned a
boyish desire to fling himself down OH
the floor and sob. He lost all shame of
his weakness ut length and went out
into the night-to be alone with the
deepest grief of his life.