The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-31

What Is that noise?'
Mats voice, rumbling in reply, bare
ly reached her ears, for deep. tram
ping, continuous tumult grew each
moment louder and at last was dis
tinguishable as the sound Of horses
hoofs. Springing from her bed, she
drew aside the curtain and neered out.
In the clear, yellow light Of the frosty
dawn a regiment of mounted men was
streaming up the road between the
cabins. Dressing hurriedly, she went
out into the sitting room just as Ray
mond came in, his face excited and
exultant.
'Our reign OF terror is over. The
desneradoes are scattering like quail
The governor in a spirit Of reprisal has
invoked federal aid, and Colonel Wood
Of the Fortieth United States cavalry
is about to take command OF the
camp
"Oh. 1 am so glad! Now there viii!
be no more fighting, and you can re-
store your mill'
You are right. Mobs do not fight
the United States army" he answered,
with the pride Of potential soldier.
They faced each other, even at this
moment, with a knowledge that the
most important matter Of all remained
unsettled between them, and all day
and the next, while the forces of dis
or1er dissolved and the camp readjust-
ed itself to military rule, Ann nursed
her sick and brooded over her prob
lem.
The second day passed slowly-even
though she slept at times-and no fur
ther word of intimate meaning passed
between them. Raymond came in from
time to time with news Of the changes
in progress, but did not tell her that the
state was full Of praise Of the part he
had played in bringing peace to the
camp. He shrank from doing this, for
the reason that, as usual, the press
was extreme, loading him with compli-
ments for his firm stand, for his infu-
ence over Munro and for his powerful
protest to the governor, whereas, to his
mind, Matthew Kelly was the leader Of
the free miners II was only the sec
retary-the clerk" be explained.
Dolan, however, brought to Ann a
knowledge Of the great light which had
been turned suddenly on her lovers
abashed figure, and the glow Of pride
which came to her brought keen
realization of how closely his success
was interviewer with her good wishes.
Hounded and brought to bay by his
admirers, Raymond made speech
bluntly protesting that he was not en-
titled to any credit in the matter. II
tried hard to keep out Of it." he de-
clared. ''l'm not seeking honor Of that
kind" But bis argument wss in vain.
HIS oeniais were called the excess oS
modesty. and at a meeting Of the vari-
Gus factions looking TO an adjustment
be was amazed to find himself put for
ward as chief arbitrator OF the ccnten-
ton, mainly by Barnett and the mayor
Of Valley Springs.
Just at sunset, as Ann, lingering at
Louis side, was about to cross to the
Kelly cabin, Munro, wild, white and
breathless, burst into the room.
where's my gun?' he demanded
where's RobT He was hunted
man In every look, in every gesture.
+9Iy gunw he demanded sharply and
ran into the inner room. When he re-
appeared his face was set in a grim
smile, for In his hand dangled shin
ing weapon. His panic was at an, end.
Whose faced him now must give ac-
count Of himself
"Goodby, girlv' he called, and his
voice was wildly tender. Don't for
get mew With a bound he reached
Barnett's horse and rose to the saddle
just as stern voice called Halt"
and a blade of FIRE reached out Of the
dusk and pierced his side.
Squirting his horse in swift, rear
ing circle. be flung from his right hand
an answering puff Of smoke, and tall
man with a rife in his hands dropped
at the corner Of the cabin, but from his
knees again took aim, and the beauti-
full horse went down, finging his des-
perate rider over his head.
Horrifed, frozen into immobility,
Ann stood in the doorway, while Mum
TO shook himself free from the saddle
and dragged himself clear Of the groan-
ing horse. Resting himself on his ell
bow, with the face Of a calm panther,
he confronted a second armed officer.
His right arm was useless, but his
mind was clear, his eyes steady, and
as his new assailant approached he
shifted his weapon to his left hand
and rolled upon his useless right arm,
and the bullet intended for his heart
went wide then. Lifting himself with
terrible effort, he fired again and put
a bullet into the very heart Of his pur-
suer, who fell in a heap just as Ray
mond and Barnett, followed by Kelly,
came rushing to the scene Of combat.
Raymond bent above the fallen leader.