Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-24
CHAPTER Xx1v.

YOUIS came to himself Just before
midnight and recognized Ann,
and though his breath was labor
A--A ed and his face lined with suf-
fering it was good to feel his familiar
self reaching out to her from his house
OF pain.
How did you get herc?" he asked.
81 drove with DR.. Braide."
I'm pretty sick I'm glad you came,
SIS" and he put his hand feebly into
hers "Wheres Rob?"
Hes sleeping. You must be quiet
now or you'll wake him"
Hes been good to me-"
Ssh, dearest" she pleaded. "Don't
talk now Go to sleep"
81 don't want to sleep. I've slept
enough. 1t makes my head ache
worse"
In the end the boy ceased to groan
and twist and at last slept, but Ann re-
fused to 90 to bed. Her anxiety and
the many questions pressing to he an
swered engaged her so deeply that she
fclt no need of sleep Toward mid
night Erai,le, in despair Of inducing
her to sleep, stretched himself in
low chair and fell into Il dozc.
1t was exactly 2 o'clock when a
single Sunshot rang out sharply, like
the voice of a sentinel questioning the
silent night. AS the girl listened tense
ly, three others. deeper tllroated, an
swered in quick succession. Then
silence again interviewed for moment.
only to be torn by a fusillade, rat
tat-tat of assault which brought Braide
to his feet
Ann hurried to Raymond, calling
sharply, Rob, they are shooting!
Don't you hear them? Quick! Quick"
Raymond rose to his feet dizzily and
looked at her blnnlly. the mist Of sleep
thick in his brain Other shots and
cries followed. and though faint and
far they cleared his vision Catching
belt Of cartridges from the wall and
turning to Braide he sternly asked,
"Can you shoot?"
Before Braide could answer another
shrill chorus of yells, fierce as the out
cry Of wolves, arose, a vivid light
filled the room, and second later a
dull conclusion shook the earth be-
meath their feet Ann shrank and
covered, but Raymond, menacingly
quiet, remarked: "Well, our turn has
come. They've blown up our shaft
house,
ooh, MOI" cried Ann. ''They wouldn't
do that. They daren't do that"
That's what they've DONE" he bit
terly assured her. Then a thought en-
tered his mind which staggered him.
'"rne men-the men were in the miner
he shouted and rushed into the dark
ness.
Ann heard his blows upon the door
Of the other cabin as he called: Boys,
roll out! The power house is blown up!
The men are in the mine! Quick, out
with you! Buckle your guns!"
Then the girl recognized Kelly's
great voice. He was calling as he ran,
Rob, are We there?"
Eyes; I'm rousing the boys"
"Its the shaft house."
cit looks that way"
sand the men. lad: the menr'
II don't know, Matt. I've just got
on my feet
So much Ann heard before the sound
of their feet died away down the path.
The sleepers in the bunk house began
to rumble and clatter about on the
bare floors. One by one they emerged,
slamming the door behind them.
Once outside the door the women
could see the flames growing each mo-
ment in power, licking with avid
tongues at the confused mass of splin-
tered beams, and on the curtain of red
light the forms Of Kelly and Raymond
played in silhouette as they strove furi-
ously against the destroyer. Their
workmen soon joined them, and each
moment some Fastening rescuer hur
tied past the open door and as he ran
cursed in bitter frenzy.
"Annv called Louis from the bed.