Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-07
HESPER
HAMLIN GARLAND
COPYRIGHT. 1905. HAnL1N GARLAND

Sa00C lOea VI Tue pan, ana Wnen Ann
asked him not to return to the heights
on Monday he was ominously calm,
but asserted his right to go where he
| pleased.
ROB wants me and needs me, and
I'm going. You can put me in Jail, but
that is the only way. If there is going
to be war, am going to be in it, and
I'm going to be on the side of the
miners"
Ann wrote swift and fervent note
to Raymond:
| am trusting Louis to your care be-
csuse he will not stay. You have won
his heart from US. and we are powerless
| to prevent his return. Guard him. for the
| sake Of his boyish sweetness, for my
| sake.
She wrote no further, for as her
mind dwelt upon that camp Of ruf1ian
miners and their desire for battle bit
ter resolution swept over her. II will
test his love for me-" With cold inten-
sity she announced her purpose. IF
you insist on going back to that camp
shall go too"
'You must not CO." said Louis. ITS
no place for you"
ut is no place for you"
He asserted himself again. II can
take care of myself"
MIR. Raymond has asked me to keep
you here" She went to him and put
her arm about his neck. Stay with
me. laddie. 1 am missing you these
days"
In the end she seemed to prevail but
she took no pleasure in her victory, for
he went about the house like young
eagle pinioned. Nothing save the news
Of the camp interested him, and when
the time came for the sheriff to start or
his new raid he became greatly ex.
cited.
There's going to be battle" he said
to Ann. "I'm going"
"No. nor she pleaded.
he turned upon her with resentful
stamp Of his heel. II can't stay here
like kid"
She changed her tone. Every well.
When shall we start?'
He looked at her steadily, and into
bis eyes came softer CLEAN. "I've
Just thought" he began refectlyely;
you can stay with Mrs. Kelly till we
build wing for you. She's nice wo-
man and lives In the cunningest little
log cabin. That settles 1t! We will go
right away, today!'
Ann was at loss but did not show
1t. III you are determined to go, then
there is no use In waiting. Let us start
at oncer'
While Mrs. Barnett suggested what
to wear Don ordered carriage to take
Ann and himself to the train, and Louis
saddled his horse for his return trip up
the stage road. "Tll beat you up" he
shouted to Ann and galloped away
with shining face.
The railway which ran up Bear can
yon was still building and had not yet
reached the divide, 80 that stage ride
Of some twenty miles connected the
town of Grand View with Sky camp.
Ann and Barnett were noticeable per-
sons In the car. which was filed with
roughly clad workmen Of all kinds.
Ann was conscious Of their admira-
ton for her, and It deeply annoyed her.
Two or three Of the better dressed men,
who were on speaking acquaintance
with Barnett, came up to ask him what
b thought Of the strike.
II didn't know it was a strike" said
be. ignoring their evident desire to be
Introduced to Ann.
'oh, It's strike all right. Your man
Mackay wasn't much hurt, was her?
'Not badly"
HE was little too previous. hope
the sheriff won't try to do anything
more about 1t. The boys up ut Sky
are little sharp set about that bust
ness. Amt goin' up there yourself, are
yeY'
yes; I've always been on good terms
with my men. think can help to
arrange some sort Of compromise"
The two miners looked at each other.
At length the older Of them said in a
tone that meant a good deal to ears ac-
customed to western infections: "Well,
reckon the whole thing has been ex-
aggerated. My claim is just below
Rozla, and SO. Of course, I don't know
much more about Sky than you do.
Still wouldn't advise your going in at
this time"
At Grand View a couple Of stages
met them, and as Ann waited on the
platform for Don to secure a carriage
the observed that on the seat Of each
Of the coaches two guards sat, negli-
gently nursing rifles which glittered in
the sunlight. Soon the whips began to
crack and the coaches rolled away one
by one, leaving Barnett to follow in a
road wagon which he had hired for
their own especial use
The sun was sinking to midafter-
noon. and Mogalyon on the left was in
full glory of ermine and saffron. The
air was keen and crisp. the sky cloud
less, and the road. except for an occa-
sional mudhole. was very good. Bar
nett remarked, 1--WE ought to pull into
Bozle before dark on these roads,"
Night came abruptly. A thin gray
scum rose swiftly on the western sky
and suddenly grayed the brightness of
the sun The world grew instantly
stern and cold. The road, after climb
ing ridge, descended into a gorge
with frs on either side. and when they
came out upon the fiat meadow to the
northwest of Mogalyon only the lights
Of Skytown could be seen.
At the moment that Don was point.
ing out the lights two horsemen ap.
pearsd In front, and in the middle OF
the road.
sHaltW cried q clear voice