, 1906-04-25

Ann, with unaccountable lightncs3 Of
spirit, quickly protested. "Now, plearc
don't make company of me. | am 90
ing to earn my living by helping Mrs.
Kelly about the house. My bed was
very comfortable and my breakfast de
licious. What else do | require? One
needn't ask bow you are. You look to
be perfectly well again"
Louis stared at his sister and was
about to make some revealing remark
when Raymond interviewed. I'VE are
very glad to have you in camp, but you
must not suffer Inconvenience"
I've been thinking perhaps it would
do me good to suffer hardship" she an
swered, with Il reflective glance.
He considered IA moment before chang
ing the subject. ~'EYerything seems
quiet up street this morning, 50 our
trouble may blow over. | am going
up by and by and will report on what
i brewing in the saloons. They are the
storm centers. I'm sorry Don started
to come in, and | hope he will go quiet
ly back and forget the whole Incident
Tel me about the camp. What is
the trouble all about? | can't under
stand" she said.
ITS quite simple" replied Raymond.
The county is about equally divided
now between the miners of the peak
and the citizens of the plain. The
peaks tntel cSts are not those of the
Springs, and il hes resented for Il year
the domination OF the Springs. The
owners of the mines are either resi-
dents of the plain or OF the east and
violently opposed to the politics of the
camp. Barnett's man. Mackay, at
tempted to reorganize the working
hours of the camp and failed. You
know of the mishandling he received"
what are they going to do now?'
Il don't know. As the case stands,
the camp is hot against any invasion
by the sheriff and "a mob of hirelings,'
as they call his deputies. ana his at
tempt to overawe the camp only Great.
ed more furious resistance. | will be
able to tell better what the outcome
will be when | learn what the union
has decided to do, Thus far it has been
Il game of bluff on the part of IL dozen
men who are not strictly miners ut all,
and the question of wages has had lit
- attention. l am going up now TO
see what is going on"
As Raymond entered the street the
peace and beauty of the Kelly home
and the vision of the two women bent
peacefully above their sewing stood
away i'll radiant contrast above the
reeking saloons, the reckless crowds
and the rows of drink infamed men
lounging along each bar.
The lovers senses, sharpened Ivy
AIMS presence in the camp, detected
more sinister change in the temper
Of the men. Up to this time all that
lad taken place had been ~jocular, at
least on the surface, but the sheriff's
threatened invasion with a hundred
hired thugs stirred the red fires of
wrath in men like Hanley, Brock and
Collingwood, who had hitherto been
but onlookers, and they were now the
melting centers of men talking loudly
and with u~ndisguised fury.
Hanley, perceiving Raymond at the
door, approached to say: Zone of Mum
ro's vedettes intercepted that kid of
yours last night and got word that Don
Barnett was on his way up here. You
better warn him off"
Raymond resented his tone, but cold
ly replied: THE boy was mistaken.
Barnett turned back at Grand View"
Some one plucked him by the arm,
and, following his guide, Raymond en-
tered the room used as the Otfice.of the
union, where he found Carter, the
president, and Larned, the organizer,
in the midst of a hot argument with
Munro, Smith and Il group of others Of
their sort. Larned was shaking with
excitement and rage, and Carter, the
little president, looked white and
scared.
Munro, with a grin, said: Come in,
Rob. This is II council of war"
Raymond entered calmly, his head a
little bent, his Keen eyes studying ev-
cry face. whats 1t all about?'
Larned explained, his hands CULVER
ing, the veins on his forehead bullying,
his eyes restless and fevered. IF they
do It," he said, Il leave-I get out. l
will not countenance lawlessness of
this sort. I'm not a fool. l know what
the effect will be. If they turn back
this posse the state militia will be
called out. | came to organize a union
to meet the coming question of labor
and capital. | did not come here to
form mobs. | refuse to sanction it. l
will not have a thing to do with it. If