Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-04

The railway which ran up Bear can
yon was still building and had not yet
reached the divide, so that n 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 filled 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 We're on speaking acquaintance
with Barnett, came up to ask him what
he thought of the strike
Il didn't know it was strike" said
he, ignoring their evident desire to be
introduced to Ann.
'Oh, it's Il strike all right. Your man
Mackay wasn't much hurt, was he?"
''Not badly"
''He was little too previous. hope
the sheriff won't try to do anything
more about 1t. The boys up at Sky
are little sharp set about that bust
ness. Amt goin' up there yourself, are
ye?"
''Yes; I've always been on gool terms
with my men. l think l can help to
arrange some sort of Il compromise"
The two miners looked at each other.
At length the older Of them said in a
tone that meant good deal to ears ac-
customed to western infections: well,
reckon the whole thing has been ex-
aggcrated. My claim is Just below
Bozle, and so, Of course, don't know
much more about Sky than you do
Still wouldn't advise your going in at
this time"
AT Grand View couple of stages
met them, and as Ann waited on the
Platform for Don to secure a carriage
she observed that on the seat of each
of the coaches two guards sat, negli-
gently nursing rifles which gl;ttcrcd in
the sunlight. Soon the whips began to
crack, and the coaches rolled away one
by one. leaving Barnett to follow in n
road wagon which lie had hired fo.
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 a ridge, descended into a gorge
with fins 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-
peared in front and In the middle of
the road.
"Halt!' cried clear voice.
The driver pulled his tired horses to
a stand SO energetically that his hands
rose above his head.
rs Donnelly Barnett with you?"
nearer.
Pm Barnett. What do you want of
me" asked Don coolly.
mot a thing" answered the horse
man. "rhats just it. We have no use
for you, and I've been watching to
meet you and say that the boys want
you to continue your quiet, uneventful
life at the Springs"
"Who are you?"
''We're couple Of Skytown velcttes.
Who is the Lady,"
'9Ihat doesn't concern you. Go on,
driver"
The driver took up the reins, but the
voice of the vedettc grew sterner,
"Stay where you are!" Then, turning
to Burnett: I'm your best friend, Don
nelly. The boys understand that you
are backing Mackay in his plans, and
it isn't safe for you to enter the camp.
advise you to turn around right here
and so back"
Ann spoke up: please let us go on.
Mr.. Barnett Is taking me III to meet
my brother, and am cold and hun
gry."
There was something thrilling in the
calm, clear sweetness Of her voice, and
the first Of the vcdettes, pressing near
or. leaned from Ills saddle to ask:
who Is your brother, Lady,"
Ills name is Louis Rupert. He is
only boy, and am going in to care
for him"
Rob Raymond's kid know him."
replied the vedette. But thought he
was visiting you in the Springs"
"He was, but he went back to the
camp today, and l am very anxious
about him"
Hes all right, lady, so long as Rob
Raymond has him in hand. You are
welcome, but Barnett is on the out
side and must stay there"
II decline to acknowledge YOUR au-
thority," responded Harnctt, now thor
oughly angry.
The horseman laughed softly, irritat-
ingly. Manners don't 80 with us at
the present time. ! must ask you to
camp right here or go back to Grand
View till can communicate with the
president Of the union. If you are
here to talk compromise the men will
he glad to meet You, but my judgment
is that you better retire to Grand View.
will see that this lady gets to her
brother"
Ann was not Il timd girl, but the
thought of riding away into the black
ness Of the night ". l.. ;.r
guards made licr .,c Ill. a.. her
nerves crcc?. "Iso.i'5 le%vc uie. Don"
she whispered
Barnett stormeJ at the horscmen. at
Is impossible! Ii ! am forced to 90
back she must 50 with Ele. What right
have you to interfere in our plans:''
The answer came quickly, coldly, ev-
cry word telling. III tell you. The
boys have learned that you have been
chiefly instrumental in pushing the
sheriff into another raid, and if trouble
comes they'll kill you. 1t isn't safe for
you to be on the hill tomorrow. Now
you needn't be afraid to trust the lady
to me-" The vedette removed his nat.
II am not man to be feared by wo-
men,"
Ann npoin snn1o "J can't nnncont +n