Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-24

thought, he WOulu Sufel. cOiHc " iiic-
| The mans voice was gentle as he
said: you see, lady. the camp is in
terrible excitement. We heard today
that the sheriff was coming with a
posse, and the boys kind o. hold five or
six o. those one lungers in the Springs
responsible. They are particularly
down on Barnett for putting Mackay
up to that trick But you'll be perfect
~ safe Mt Kelly's.'
At length AIMS leader turned to-
ward n dark, high point of rocks. the
trail began to descend and a few min
utes later they came to warmly
lighted cabin, on the door of which the
guide resolutely knocked The latch
was Immediately lifted. and a small,
pale woman with a blur of yellow hair
about her head appeared in the light
Mrs. Kelly. I've brought you q
boarder,'' began the vedctte.
Ann caught sight of boy at the ia
BILE and gave Il cry of joy. "Oh, Louis,
Louisr'
With a whoop the boy rushed from
the cabin and flung his arms around
her,
"Oh, Ann, but I'm glad to see you.
Where is Cousin Don? Which way did
you come? Rob has gone down to
Bozle to meet you"
Ann turned to thank her guide, who
was looking ut her with undisguised
admiration.
1T was a great pleasure. he re-
piled, with an assumption of grand
manner. Introduce me, please" he
said to Mrs. Kelly.
Il must introduce myself first" said
the little woman. Il am Mrs. Kelly.
and your guard is AR Jack Munro"
Ann gave him her hand. Il thank
Mr. Munro. but think be should have
allowed Mr.. Barnett to come into shell
ter. 1t seemed cruel to send him back
on that long, cold drive"
Munro remained unmoved. "Oh. he'll
stay at Claysons overnight"
Mrs. Kelly put in u word. II think
you better come into shelter. You
must be cold and hungry. Won't you
step inside, Mr. Munro?"
NO thank you. 1t is a great tempta-
ton. but I've work to do"
And so, chilled and hungry, Ann en-
tered the pleasant home of the Kellys.
and the terror of the dark ride became
part of the outer world, shut away
by the strong. rude door.
Rob has gone down to the stage of
fec explained Mrs. Kelly. I'VE
thought you'd come that way"
Mrs. Kelly put Ann down to some tea
and cold meat, and while she was still
at the table and in the midst of her
story Raymond flung open the door.
Here she is.'' he called to some one
behind him, and his white face and
glowing eyes testified to his great anx-
iety.
Ann rose to meet him with a rush Of
trust and confidence that filed her
throat and rendered her wordless, but
she held her hand toward him.
He seized it. Il was greatly alarmed
when l heard that you were coming
alone. How did you come? How did
you find the way?"
Ann then said, your friend Munro
met us, turned Don back and piloted
me up the hill.''
Raymond turned to a big man who
stood waiting. Miss Rupert, this is
Matthew Kelly, my mining partner"
Ann gave her hand into Kelly's enor-
nous palm with a look of admiration.
Il am glad to know you, Mr.. Kelly. 1
have heard Louis speak of you very
often"
In the presence of these men Ann lost
all sense of fear and weakness. They
were possessed of something which
Don, loyal as he was, lacked.
Raymond's eyes hardly left her face,
but she no longer resented his interest |
On the contrary, she studied him close |
ly. There was n subtle change in him. |
He seemed older, gentler, but more |
manly and handsomer than before.
1T is rude place for you to live, |
Miss Rupert" he said, but there Is no |
danger. The strike has not involved |
us. We are as peaceful as a farm
here"
She smiled back into his eyes with
more of liking than she had ever ex-
pressed.
Il am not afraid" she replied. Il
am going to find the camp interesting.
At any rate, so long as Louis is settled
in his Reorganization to be a miner. I
must keep him in sight,
1T is a great pleasure to have him
Win L gnu ~ Dc VI uSc W |
him, for his own sake as we'll as for
what you have come to mean to me-"
AIMS lashes fell before the glow of
his admiring eyes. and with this sign
If weakness a flush of resentment
again passed over her. He must not
ook at me in that way" she complain
ID to herself
When Raymond left the house TO
walk back to his own cabin he resent
ID for the first time the presence of
louis. He wished TO be alone with the
mysterious emotion which had swept
,ack upon him at sight of Ann. He
aced the night, out of which every
hired of vapor had vanished, and the
,lue-black vault, blazing with innu-
nerable letting globes of light, invited
o high thoughts, to serious iInaginings.
His duty plainly was to lay hands
lpOn the lad and hustle him back to
'1 lnx-