Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-10

1t touched her.
AS they all re-entered the bungalow
Peabody rubbed his hands together il
delight. by Jove, this Is something
like, This chimney carries me bacl
to my hunting lodge in the Maine
woods" He was in the midst of &
story when knock at the door an
nounced visitor.
"Come inn shouted Raymond, and
Munro entered, entirely at his ease
graceful, jocose. making no account OF
the looks of surprise on the faces OF
Raymond and his guests.
"Remain where you are!' he called
'',The house is entirely surrounded and
no nonunion laborer will be allowed to
escape
Raymond mechanically gave him a
chair. while Kelly nodded CURLY. Ann
bowed and said, Good evening. Cap
| tain Munro"
Peabody alone smiled. "Ah, you
were my guide up the hill. Ny guard
as well as guide, take it."
I'D rather have been your execu-
toner"
For what reaSon?'
Had l known you were coming to
get the queen of the peak your blood
had stained the heather"
Good heavens. what an escape! Am
quite safe now" lie asked of Kelly.
This fooling over, they took seats,
and the conversation ran to the pros
poets of the camp, and Peabody, with
"A feeling that Kelly was the man of
richest experience, persuaded him to
tell something of his wonderful career
as trailer of golden pathways.
Raymond sat in silence, while Ann
awoke to a delicious excitement in the
situation. Before her sat three very
direct and forceful lovers regarding
each other like tigers, instinct with
hate, yet masking il, pretending TO
honor and good will while bitter jeal-
ousy ragged beneath. She provoked
Munro to the most audacious sayings
merely to see Peabody stare. and she
flung an appealing word at Raymond
now and again as if valuing his Opin-
ion above all others. though he made
but curt answers, returning TO his fire,
mystified by her gayety and by her
subtlety of byplay. Munro, so far from
being depressed by Peabody's pres
ence, was carried quite beyond his
usual self, and his reckless compliments
had keen edge. In the end Ann re
GREETED her encoura cement of his au-
dacity
Raymonds guests rose at last, and
Ann and Peabody went away together.
This cut deeper than all else, and
Louis, who took very peSsimiStic view
Of the whole affair. did not comfort
him. She'll go back with him. can
see that" he said. And she'll want
me to go. too. but l WON'T
Munro went away outwardly jocular,
but inwardly sadder than he had ever
been in his life, for his love for Ann
was mingled with respect for her mind,
her character. Her calm and kindly at
titude toward him that night had been
n revelation to him.
Peabody OH his return found Ray
mond sitting alone by his fire. Louis
was deep in slumber.
THAT man Munro is an interesting
fellow. What do you know about him?'
asked the lawyer.
Not very much. He's rather secre-
tive. He came here from Sylvanfte, l |
believe"
His jokes about getting under my |
ribs were Il little grewsome. He struck |
me as just about medieval enough to |
do thunder proper conditions Tell me
about yourself. Ann has only praise
for you. L want to thank you most cor
lially for your kindness to her and to
the boy. He's much improved-less
nervous and more manly"
Il doubt if he can be persuaded to
cave. He told me tonight that he
co.
We'll, I'm glad l met you, Mr.. Ray
nond. I shall feel easier about the boy
II case we do go east without him"
These cordial, frank and manly
words struck an icy chill to Raymond's
lcart. 1t was all over then. She had
consented to go, and his life was laid
waste. He rose unsteadily.
You must be tired. Shall show you
our bunk?'' he asked.
II believe | will turn ill.," responded
When the young miner returned to
lis seat beside the fire big lump of
vain filled his throat. and he owned d
'oyish desire to fling himself down on
he floor and sob. He lost all shame of {
lis weakness at length and went out
nto the night-to be alone with the
eepest grief of his life