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

slider anyway, anu lnlS UNION Is
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 we'll TO treat it with a
certain measure 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 off manner, but dis
tinctly more acrid of tone. ''Mackay
says this confounded union is growing
rapidly and that practically every in
coming miner joins'at once. L told him
to nip the thing in ithe bud, and he has
begun to formulate.a plan TO do So
wait a year." warned Raymond.
"Wait till L 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
him company. A new sensation arose
from having some one to plan for and
to protect.
The dreaming lad. outstretched or
pile of blankets with his hands under
his head and his small feet, clothed in
moccasins. extended to the blaze, sud-
denly turned and said: Rob, this is
the kind of life for me. Wouldn't IA
Their have liked this? I'd be perfectly
happy if ! didn't have to pack off down
the hill tomorrow. Why couldn't Ann
come up here?"
Maybe, by and by, when we get our
cabin fixed up. we viii ask your sister
and Mrs. Barnett to come up and visit
u.s." said Raymond.
Louis started up. "Oh, will you? If
Ann were here 1 would never want to
go back east again-never, / could
live here always"
A foot outside disturbed Raymond,
and a mans voice called, "Is Rob Ray
mond here?'
In the unfinished doorway stood a
graceful young fellow in a white SOM
brero and neatly fitting dark suit.
"Jack Munro.' exclaimed Raymond,
and they shook hands. "Sit down
This is a boy friend of mine from the
Springs" he said, Indicating Louis.
what can 1 do for you?"
Nothing, old man. Just lined you
out today / heard that a man named
Raymond had taken lease with Kelly,
but L didn't know it was you till 1 saw
you with Barnett today. Well. this is
wonderful! Where you from? What
have you been doing since we-grad- J
uated?' There was something in his
voice that eluded Louis. Raymond
gave Munro a warning glance.
ooh. little of everything - cattle |
ranching. hunting, mining. 1 saw you |
last night in Hanley's saloon
'Why didn't you speak up?'
Raymond hesitated. II didn't know |
whether you
''Oh. rats! I'm not one to dodge. |
What did getting fired amount to any
way? l was ready to leave"
Raymond repeated his warning sign. |
'Have you been back-home?"
Munro smiled broadly. you bet, I
feathers-told my side of the story
1 didn't let the institution
get the drop on me. But, see here.
come up TO the saloon; want to talk
things over with you. The boys are
bound to make me take a hand in this
union
Cant do it now, Jack. But come
down again. Louis is going back to-
morrow. and I'll be alone for a day or
two, and then we can talk freely"
"All right There are a whole lot of
things l want to turn over BY the
Lord, this is wonderful-our meeting
up herer' He was reluctant TO go.
You bring up the old days Wen, so
long"
When Raymond returned to his seat
his face was grave and his eyes deeply
reflective
Louis was much Interested in the
stranger. ''Who was that. Rob?"
"A chap used TO know
Next morning after breakfast Ray
nond hurried Louis off down the can
von to the stage and in his letter to
Ann repeated his pledge to look care
July after the boys health and TO keep
linn out of mischief.
Louis arrived at the Springs fairly
lysterical with joy over his wonderful
lays ride and set about to describe
skytown.
His absence had been a revelation of
lis value to Ann. She had not realized
Up to that moment how deeply his care
vas woven into her daily life. 1t was
ealousy of Raymonds power-an acrid
uice-which had turned her pity for
lin, while wounded and helpless, into
esentment, and now that he was well
md triumphantly drawing the boy to
lis side her heart was bitter with
atred, but she gave her consent to
.ouis' return because she dared not
% otherwise, and in letter to Ray
nond she said:
resign Louis into your hands. BECAUSE
his happiness is more than my own and