Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-06-29


81 shouldn't wonder. I'm DR.. Braide
of Valley Springs" 81
"Where you amin to go now, If IT'S
fair question:"
ITO Skytown."
"Goin' to treat somebody" asked the
old woman, who was lowering near.
Ann interposed. Eyes, he is going up
20 treat my brother Louis, who is lying
al at Mr.. Raymond's cabin"
The stranger glowed again. didn't
see nothin of the sheriff's army on the
way, did We" Here he winked at
Braide
The doctor smiled. "Not thing. !
don't think they've left the valley yet"
"Td advise 'em not to. I'm going
over to the camp myself, and If you
don't mind I'll jest nacherly jog along
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 infiu-
ence with Rob Raymond. preach him
into joining the movement. It'll be a
mighty sight safer for him and a 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"
Ellis escort may be Of use to u.s." re-
piled Ann. "Who was that manY 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.
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 prodigious wall, which beat
back the clashing roar Of small but
very swift stream Of water.
1t must have been about o'clock
when they rounded the great base Of
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
jOurneycd 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, so / hear. l have
not had time to call. 1t is pleasure to
see you again." He fixed his eyes on
her companion. 81 don't think know
you," he said, with challenging in
Election in his voice.
II am DR.. Braide Of Valley Springs"
Ann explained, "Dr Braide comes to
attend my brother"
Munro's face lost its reckless smile,
and he looked worn and pale. "Doc-
tor, I'm glad to meet YOU"
1--WE 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
you to the top near Kelly's. I'll meet
you there"
The peak was more than quiet-it
was silent. 1t was as II O palsy had
fallen upon every ablebodied workman,
causing a swift devouring decay to set
in.
"What a changer exclaimed Braide.
IT was here just before this trouble be-
gan and these hills teemed with mem
'There is one smoking chimney. 1t
must be the Raymond & Kelly mine."
Ann pointed away up the hill.
GLOW do they keep going%
"The strikers fear them, and, besides.
Munro and Raymond are old acquaint-
ances. l think he protects them"
Raymond was standing at the Kellys'
door as they drove up, his face sOmber,
MS eyes clouded. He could not speak,
so deeply was he moved, but with a
nod at Braide and without q word
threw back the robes and reached a
hand to help her. "How Is he?" she
asked, with q catching of the breath.
"He is very Ill, but I think His
voice failed him for a moment. I'm
glad to see you, doctor. He needs you."
Everything whirled before Ann. IF
ne should die-oh, II he should die!
It's all my faultw she walled. Its all
ny faultr' and her numb limbs refus-
I'd to move.
Don't say that he urged. 1--WE
gone over it thousand times. don't |
zee that any one is to blame. know |
you are not. Come, we must go to
him."
In that instant something seemed to |
,ass between them-some invisible, In |
angible bond was established. Ann
tut out her hand, and he took 1t gently |
between his palms. BE brave, dear
,irl," he said tenderly.