The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-26
CHAPTER XIX.

deepest grief OF his life.
CHAPTER XIX.
HAYMOND did not see Ann at
~ breakfast next morning, but
y sent word by Louis that Inn
A \ portant work in the mine de
tained him, and the girl was hurt by
the neglect It was not cheerful go
ing at best, for Mrs. Kelly was broken
hearted and frankly pessimistic.
You'll never come back" she said.
you'll forget the Kellys-you'll forget
you ever lived In log hut and swept
foors.''
"Why, Nora, Pm only going to Valley
Springs. Maybe I'll come back, and
soon."
'You say so. but you are going far.
have two eyes, and can see. You've
broken Rob's heart too. know why
he isn't here this morning-he couldn't
bear to see you go, and no more can I.'
The tears came TO AIMS eges. Never
had such sincerity, such direccness %
affection. touched her. - Il come back
premise yoa I'll corae back unless
yea come to The Springs to !ive
"Come backw snoutesi Kelly, vic
had entered the door. "Why, sure
thing!s She can't keep away. Dye
think Louis is going to leave the peak?
Not for long. He has. just been telling
me when to expect him." Somehow
Kelly's tone helped Ann as we'll as
Nora.
81 am not going back to New York
till SPRING
.sLet me tell you something" Kelly
resumed. with ponderous effort at be-
ing confidential. 'Your Wall street
lawyer is all right. He's man Of
substance, but Rob is going to sluice
stream of gold out O. this hill that'll
make the lawyer chap look like worn
dime"
They reached the Springs without ac-
cident, and were greeted as if they had
escaped from a robbers cave. Mrs.
Barnett and her friends were ali great
" excited over the eveEts Of the high
country, which had been distorted,
magnifed by the shadows Of the
clouds. till they were Of the most mon
strous proportions Munro was already
a bogy-a sort Of cowboy Napoleon
and Ann laughed at the questions hurl-
ed at her head by the Barnetts when
they found she had known and liked
the captain Of the patrol.
'.Not at ALL" she replied. Il found
him very amusing. No, he was not
drunk, and I never saw any weapons
upon him. Mr.. Raymond considers
him a dangerous force because Of his
zeal to serve the miners. Yes, it is
true that Mr.. Raymond is the leader Of
the free miners and that he and Mr..
Munro are friends. Yes, Kelly and
Raymond have made strike. but they
are unable to get the men they need to
work their mine"
Barnett came home looking hard and
worn, quite unlike his jovial self, but
he greeted Ann warmly. Il am glad
to see you here want to know all
about things up there. Where is Pea
body?"
Mrs. Barnett replied: Dressing for
dinner. Hurry, Don; you're late
After he left them ANN remarked to
Mrs. Barnett, "He looks worried"
'tIe is worried to death. He insists
on trying 10 be the head and front OF
tbs citizens committee Of safety. He's
chairman &C it and is away all hours
Of the dag and night DO you know
the Who'll city is patrolled?"
''Patro Il. What for:''
$50 that tie miners cannot come
rushing down here some night and
burn us all up
This amused Ann. How silly! Why
should they do that:''
Because we mine owners live here.
1t is not a laughing matter to us.
Word has come to US through reliable
sources that your nice friend Munro
has planned raid, and every young
man in the town has been enrolled in
the home guard. y
Ann laughed outright at this. Jean
nctte. YOU people have been eating too
much lobster salad and ice cream.
You're all suffering from nightmare.
There isn't word Of truth in what
you've been saying.