The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-17
HAMLIN GARLAND

m1natInS. Eacn man apparently SLfONe
to I'LL his paunch before his fellow.
Only one Of them seemed to study Ann
and her companion with candid inter
est. This was a small man with a
cha beard and an eye as keen as that
Of blue jay. AS the other men filed
ND and left the table he came down ano
carelessly took seat near Braide.
'T reckon I've seen you before" he
began pleasantly.
81 shouldn't wonder. I'm DR.. Braide
Of Valley Springs"
"Where you aimin' to go now, if it's
a fair question:"
'To Skytown."
"Goin' to treat somebody asked the
old woman, who was lowering near.
Ann interposed. Eyes, he is going up
to treat my brother Louis, who Is lying
Ill at Mr.. Raymond's cabin
The stranger glowed again. Didn't
see nothin' Of the sheriff's army on the
way, did ye?" Here he winked at
Braide.
The doctor smiled. 'Not a thing. I
don't think they've left the valley yet." !"
'sI'd advise 'em not to. I'm going
over to the camp myself, and If you
dent mind I'll jest nacherly jog along
q rod or two ahead Of you-to show
you the road"
AS he rose to go the stranger said:
''If so be it you folks have any inau-
ence with Rob Raymond, preach him
into joining the movement It'll be a
mighty sight safer for him and big
help to the miners"
After the miner left the room Braide
said: "We're in the enemy's country.
, he was plainly warning us, and his
going along is in the nature of an arm
ed guard"
"His escort may be Of use to US" re-
piled Ann. "Who was that man?" she
asked of the old woman, who fairly
whispered her answer.
That's old Steve Adams. He's boss
Of this squad. all six o. them men are
Munro's pickets."
AS Ann and the doctor drove on the
clouds began to lift, rolling slowly,
ponderously, reluctantly upward from
the timbered slopes.
Their guide rode rapidly, signaling
the doctor now and then to keep pace
with him, and after nearly an hour Of
fairly level ground the road entered
another canyon and crawled upward
along a nrodigious wall, which beat
back the. clashing roar of a small but
very swift stream Of water
It must have been about o'clock
when they rounded the great base Of
the Slack Cone at the head of the
canyon and looked away across the
big camp and far out upon the valley
to the west.
ADAMS. their guide, was consider
able distance in advance when a
couple Of horsemen encountered them.
After moments conference one turn
ed back, and the other came on swiftly.
AIMS heart glowed with the hope
that. it might be Raymond with mes
sage from the sick one, but it proved
to be Munro He came up swiftly and,
setting his horse upon his launches,
leaped cavalierly to the ground
"Good evening, lady, he called as he
approached the wagon. Have you
journeyed far?"
"How is Louis?' asked Ann quickly,
with instant revolt of his assurance.
He felt the impersonal rebuke Of her
manner and replied simply: He is bet
ter this afternoon, 80 hear. l have
not had time to call. It is pleasure to
see you again" He fixed his eyes on
her companion 81 don't think I know
you," he said, with challenging in
fection in MS voice.
81 am DR.. Braide Of Valley Springs"
Ann explained, "Dr. Braide comes to
attend my brother"
Munro's face lost it's reckless smile,
and be looked worn and pale. doc
tor, I'm glad to meet you
eve must hurry on" interrupted
Ann. warmly impatient Of Munro's
glances.
Braide chirped to his horses and
Munro swung to his seat and followed
after. At the foot Of the hill he called:
Keep that winding road. 1t will bring
yor to the top near Kelly's. I'll meet
you there"
The peak was more than quiet-it
was silent. It was as if palsy BID
fallen upon every ablebodied workman,
causing swift devouring decay to set
in.
What a changer exclaimed Braide.
Il was here just before this trouble be-
gan and these hills teemed with men,
There is one smoking chimney. It
must be the Raymond & Kelly mine"
Ann pointed away UP the hill.
How do they keep going?"
''The strikers fear them, and, besides,
Munro and Raymond are old acquaint-
ances. think he protects them"
Raymond vas standing ~ the Kellys'
door as they Grove Up. his face somber.