Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-27


ker, hop off. You're going to send word
to the folks that you're with me and
SAFE"
you're not going to drive me
away"
Raymond looked at him in silence.
"No. I'm going to put you to work"
The boys face threw off its shadow.
"That's bullyl Now Pm all right.
Give me a pen" He wrote:
have found Rob. We're all o. X.
Don't worry. LOUIS.
AS he handed it over he said gayiy,
"Will that do?"
THAT'S satisfactory. Now rush It,"
AS they walked out Raymond stern
" asked: "Want to stay with me- do
you? Well, everybody works where
live. We don't allow idlers. If you
had something to do you'd keep out
O. mischief"
Louis twisted his small right arm.
"T'm ready for anything"
"Got your outfit-your whole kit"
eve got one camera and my draw
ing materials"
Raymond packed his hand bags on
the horse, and together they set out up
the trail. At first the lad exulted and
cried out like blue jay, but his
breathing grew labored as they rose,
and at last Raymond turned. NOW,
see here Louis, this air is pretty thin
till q fellow gets used to 1t; you'd bet
ter mount. You'll enjoy the scenery
better"
With feeling that he was succumb-
ing to an unmanly weakness, Louis
ciambered to the horses back and
perched among his possessions, while
RAYMOND, striding ahead, led the way
I'D and up till the whole world seemed
coming into view. ooh, this is hnel
Jupiter, this is the place for me-"
He was unfeignedly delighted with
everything-with the new shacks, with
the slab tables and the plank chairs
and with the liberal and smoking din.
ner which Mrs. Kelly provided-but
he drew a kissing breath of admira-
ton over the grand figure Of old Mat
thew Kelly. Gee, but you're won
der! l must do YOU"
Kelly was puzzled and little en-
barrassed by this outspoken adInira
ton and regarded Louis with definite
disfavor till he presented him with q
pencil drawing Of the lads playing or
the doorstep, and then he said: 1.-The
Lord God has made power O. people
that the Kellys have not seen. This Is
wan of them. Now, isn't that won
der? He put the whole thing together
in five minutes" Thereafter he &C
cepted the boy FOR the cunning that lay
in his fingers.
Raymond wrote that night to Ann Of
formally as the riot in his brain woulC
permit:
I planned to take myself out of your
life as completely as If 1 were dead, bu
Louis would not have 1t SO. When
met him on the hill today and he told M
how long he had been from home, L De
termined to hustle him back 10 tn'
Springs, but he asked to stay DAY o.
two, and here he Is. Will you trust MIN
with me? He will tire Of it here by ant
by and go back to you of his own accord
! Just now he is mad over the lie ana th'
scenery. AS for myself, am new man
with new aspirations They may no
seem very high to you, for-t am SURVIVING
now to acquire gold, but that is only
means to an end. There Is something els
in the world for me to do. l don't know
what it is to be-perhaps my care OF TN
wonderful boy is a part OF 1t. AT an!
rate. he is here and not to be driven ava.
without great risk to him and deep pan
to me. So, unless you object, shall Keel
him. Our life is rough, but not contain
mating. I will see that no harm comes U
him.
There was nothing more personal II
the letter than this, but AIMS hear
warmed to the writer unaccountably
And vet the thought of Louis in a min
ing camp troubled her. II ought to g
and fetch him away" she said to Don
"No, no! You remain here, and
will 90 over and see the little SCAMP
and bring him back If possible"
The next morning Raymond put int
action a measure he had formulated
during the night. He called Louis t
him, and together they assembled tn
T.ookout." as Kelly called the ledg