Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-28

In the unfinished doorway stood d
graceful young fellow in white SOM
brero and neatly fitting dark suit.
Jack Munro" exclaimed Raymond,
and they shook hands. "Sit down.
This is boy friend of mine from the
Springs" he said, indicating Louis.
what can do for you?"
Nothing. old man. Just lined YOU
out today. heard that man named
Raymond had taken lease with Kelly,
but didn't know it was You till l saw
you with Barnett today. We'll. this is
wonderful! Where you from? What
have YOU been doing since we-grail-
uated?" There was something in his
voice that eluded Louis. Raymond
gave Munro u warning glance
"Oh. little of everything cattle
ranching. hunting, mining. 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!
went back and swelled around in high
feathers-told my side of the story
understand? didn't let the Institution
get the drop Oh me. But, see here,
come up to the saloon: want to talk
things over with you. The boys are
bound to make me take hand in this
union"
Can't do it now. Jack. But come
down again. Louis is going back to-
morrow. and I'll be alone for day or
two. and then we can talk freely"
"All right. There are whole lot of
things want to turn over. BY the
Lord, this is wondcrful-our meeting
up here" He was reluctant to 90,
You bring up the old days. Well. so
long"
When Raymond returned to his seat
his face was grave and his Dyes deeply
reflective.
Louis was much Interested in the
stranger. WHO was that, Rob?
"A chap used to KNOW"
Next morning after breakfast Ray.
mond hurried Louis Off down the can.
yon to the stage and in his letter to
Ann repeated his pledge TO lools care
fully after the boys health and to keep
him out of mischief.
Louis arrived at the Springs fairly
hysterical with joy over his wonderful
days ride and set about to describe
Skytown.
His absence had been n revelation of
his value to Ann. She had not realized
up TO that moment how deeply his care
was woven into her daily life. 1t was
Jealousy of Raymond's power-an acrid
Juice-which had turned her pity for
him, While wounded and helpless, into
resentment and now that lie was well
and triumphantly drawing the boy to
his side her heart was bitter with
hatred, but she gave her consent to
Louis return because she dared not
70 otherwise, and in letter to Ray.
mond she said:
I resign Louis into your hands, because
his happiness is IaoI
because he no longer ~ u aes
have heard much Of lii2 .l-r.l. :: AZ
drinking of mining camps. l 3 q YOU I,
;uard him. He is so fine and sweet row.
md defilement is so easy.
Upon reading this letter the camp
suddenly became dark AMI dangerous
place to the young miner. lie found ii
harder to make excuse for profanity
and foul jests of the miners, ana he
went less and less among them and
spent more of his time with the lad |
him draw or listening to him
while he read.
Their cabin became the center of the
liner spirits of the camp. Dolan and
one or two Of his friends often came
IN of an evening to smoke IL pipe and |
play a friendly game of cards. "a
visit to the bungalow always pays"
said one young fellow whose weakness
was drink. "Thcy send fellow away
feeling respectable" \
Mrs. Kelly supervised the house
keeping rs well as she could, and the