Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-06

some time, uuu-Wcii, III just opouI
decided to try my luck up at the big
camp. / wish you would take a letter
to Barnett and be sure that he reads it.
l want him to send another man down
here to take my place But, see here,
you're both tired and want to go to
bed" He rose and lighted second
lamp. Mrs. Barnetts bed is in this
room"-he opened a door on the side
opposite-'I'll see if it is prepared"
Ann interposed. "Oh, no! I'm not so
helpless as that. Let me take the light.
| | will do very we'll, never fear"
He yielded to her. 'I'll get you some
water, and hope there are some clean
towels. Let me know if there is any
thing else l can do
you are very thoughtful
1--WE try to keep that room ready, so
that when the folks come down 1t will
] be tolerable."
I'm quite sure it will do" she SAID
definitely and entered the room.
/ Raymond turned to Louis. "YOung-
ster, can you shoot?'
"Not very WELL"
Learn. A man going round this
country with young woman wants to
be prepared for war. He may never
have any need of gun, and then
again, unexpected, he may. A gang OF
hoboes like that today is dangerous
when they get to drinking, and it
| in,
sign commanding silence.
Ann reappeared with pitcher in her
hand. IF you'll fill this for me?'
"With pleasure" he quickly replied.
After filling it and placing it in her
room, he asked: "NOw, which bag is
yours? III pass that ill.,"
This one. But where are you and
Louis to sleep?"
Fright here" He caught at sort Of
frame hung upon the wall. 1t fell and
was transformed into a bunk. Fright
here, close beside your door, I'll put the
youngster. Ill not take much sleep to-
night. The boys will need some hot
coffee when they come in" He walked
to the door and stood there looking
away toward the fire. "Pm afraid
they've an all night job of it. The
mountain wind is springing up"
eff you really feel that you ought to
co. she began rather feebly.
"Would you feel safer if l stayed"
His voice possessed a note Of tender
ness as he asked this question. His
tall form, outlined in the outer dark
ness, again appealed to her with power.
She hesitated. 81 never was among
l mean l have never been separated
from my kind in this way before.
am city dweller, and, confess, am
little nervous"
'Then you'd like me to stay?" he in
sisted.
eyes, wish you would"
''Then will do so. I'm sure Barnett
will excuse me when he knows
Something's whip, pistOl-snapped
! far out in the darkness, Il little slapping
sound,- puff Of dust rose from Ray
mond's broad breast, and he put his
hand to his heart with quick, inward
gasp of pain. ooh"
"What was that?" asked Ann.
He swayed back against the door
frame, and yellow white pallor came
over his face. "Some one has touched
me-" he said slowly through his set
teeth. "It's that cowardly hound
| Speck. Go call your driver. Pm shot"
He tried to walk to a chair, but reeled
and fell.
| AIMS first impulse was toward laugh
ter. 1t was so absurd, so melodramat-
| ic, 50 perfectly impossible. "He is try
ing to brighten u.s." she thought, look
ing down ut him, but Louis ran out
screaming for Watson.
Raymond partly rose and faced her.
Big drops of agony sweat cleaned on
lis forehead. Its no joke" he gasped,
seeming to divine her feeling. Hes
put it right through, just above my
heart. Don't let me bleed to DEATH"
he ended, with cultural harshness, and
began to tear at his coat in the effort
to get it off. AS he took away his hand
and studied his palm, which was red
with blood, AIMS heart grew sick with
horror. Her limbs grew numb and
weak. Then, as she watched him tear
ing feebly at his coat, the long dormant
woman in her awoke. She ceased to
tremble and fell on her knees beside
him.
LET me help you," she said, and her
voice was calm and clear, her fingers
firm. When his coat was off he sank
again exhausted, breathing hard
Cut away my shirt-get at that hole
and nluC it" he commanded "AnY-