Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-05-02

ana by dawn he was once more trot-
ting with the calm, close adhering seat
of the cowboy.
He had planned to go to friends
house in the lower town, but with the
coming of light and the blooming of
the rose Of the morning he resolved to
ride directly to Barnett's. MY errand
is an honorable one" he argued. "Why
should sneak into cover!"
The housemaid who let him into the
house smiled upon linn in a most
friendly fashion. Were glad to see
you, sir Shall tell Mr.. Barnett you
are here?"
81 wish you would, and tell him 1
wish no one but himself to know of
my presence"
Barnett was in bed, with a pot Of
coffee and some toast on stand by his
side, reading the morning papers.
Hello, old man." he called out when
the door was shut. I'm mighty glad
to see you, but l don't know what to
do about you. What's the row, any
way? Have you come down to- see
Ann?"
Raymond took chair near the bed.
mot exactly, but of course
81 understand, and l don't blame
you. She came back from up there
looking like rose of Sharon. OF
course you haven't had breakfast.
Have some coffee. Touch that bell for
me and We'll have something heartier."
saJTo1x, 10 Nfrs Do
Never better. I've got her locked in
there" He pointed at an inner door. II
had an idea you We're coming with i'm
portant news from the front. don't
know about your being here; the peo-
pie have got you mixed up with Mum
TO in this thing, and I've had the
devils own job to convince them other
wise. Pm not bit sure they won't
want to arrest you and hold you as a
hostage"
THAT would be nice job"
Wouldn't it? But they've lost their
heads completely. You see, these red
neckers' hit us on a weak spot-they
broke loose just as we were trying to
float our biggest issue of stock and
fattened out every deal till it looks
like square yard of nothing. Natural
ly We're all rcd headed as woodpeck-
ers, and we're going to open these
mines. We've got to open them or go
broke. BY the way, when did you
come to town?"
This minute"
"Iside! In this stormw He rose on
his elbow to survey him. Great Scott,
man, throw off those horrible boots and
put on some dry socks and some Slip
pers! Tumble the things out Of that
bottom drawer; you'll find all kinds
there"
In the end he had his way, and SO in
warm, dry footwear and smoking
Jacket the young miner ate his steak
and drank his coffee while his host
looked on and commented on his looks.
you've taken hand to the pillow,
haven't you? That fist is wonder.
And you've really struck it? Well, I'm
glad Of 1t. But you want to watch
Curran. I'm told he's been to every
lawyer in town with your papers in the
attempt to break your grip on that
vein"
1--WE are not worrying" replied Ray
mond.
When he had quite finished, Barnett
said, "Wcll, now, Rob, what about it?"
Raymond was equally direct. I'm
here to try to persuade you not to send
the sheriff and his men up the canyon"
Whom do you represent, the union?'
"1n way, yes. l have a letter to
you, and l come Oh behalf of the indie
pendents, who don't want to see blood
shed. There'll br n horrible mixup,
Don, sure thing, unless your fellows are
headed off. Munro's cowboys and des-
peradoes will fight; don't make any
mistake about that" -
'Who is this man Munro?"
Raymond looked ut his friend stead
lily. Don, the time has come to tell
you something, but it's secret" His
voice ended in rising infection. 1T
concerns only you and me-for the
present"
Barnett reached out his hand. "All
right, old man."
Munro is really Jackson Iollenbeck.
We were classmates and roommates
at West Point. Do you remember read
ing some eight or nine years ago Of a
group of six cadets being dismissed for
haZing and characterization? l don't
suppose you do, but was one of that
gang. Jack was another. We weren't
SO bad as we were represented, but
they fired us all the same. lost all
track of Hollie as we called him them"
$50 that's where Munro gets his mill
tary training, and his real name is
Hollenbeck." He smiled slyly. whats
yours!'
ooh, mine Is straight. never tried
to conceal my identity. Pm Robert
Huston Raymond Of Ohio, the man that
'swatted' his superior and got busted
for it. Since then I've lived a COM
monplace life"
what was it all about? never ask
ed any questions before, but I'd like to
know all about it."
THAT'S about all Of 1t. was n rest
less young cub and hated discipline.
but that's Of no value. What is impor-
tant is this = Jack Munro's military
trimming is being felt. Now, YOU
mustn't ask me Il single question as to
conditions up there. Pm going back.
and must be able to say to JACK that
l was faithful to my trust. If the
sheriff will 80 back with me alone I
believe l can get Jack to deliver the
mon that blew up the mine. Then IL
the Red Star people-you, in fact-will
deal With the men fairly l think the
whole situation will clear"
Il don't share your optimism. Those
jackasses must be whipped before they
Will yield point. They'd kill you and
the sheriff both"
Il don't think So know Jack will
protect us. He practically controls the
camp at this minute. | have the coun-
tersign and can pass the patrol ut any
time today, and the sheriff, If he has
the nerve can ride with me straight to
Jacks headquarters. Then want YOU
to meet some of the head men and ar
range a new scale"
To this Barnett would not listen.
all