Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-23


came rushing into the room. what
all this? Jeanette tells me you're Sc
ing back to Slzytown today
"In twenty minutes / shall be on tn
road"
"Alone?"
mo; DR.. Braide is going with me-"
Impossible! You mustn't do it! Gu
attack is to be made tonight. Th
whole hill will be battle-ground to
morrow"
81 can't help that, Don. l must go t
my brother. He needs me all the more
Think of that poor boy lying Their
burning with fever and battle goin!
on. Put off your attack. It's all fool
sh, wicked. anyhow. What good will
it do? You will only kill men or sc
killed YOURSELF
DIR. Braitie was waiting as Ann drew
up to his door. He carried big bea1
skin robe over his arm and held medi
cine case in his hand. "Have yol
plenty of wraps? It's cold up there
they say Let me arrange this rob
around your feet. Shall l driver
NO. thank you. l will drive"
The horses were marvels. The.
pushed up the steep, winding road will
steady stride, their heads swinging
Not till they entered the canyon die
they lag into a walk. The cloud:
hung low. i'll great gray masses, cover
ing even the secondary peaks. Patches
of snow began to appear at the road
side. 1t was bleak, inhospitable an(
silent world.
"There is something ominous In thi!
Stiffness" Ann said at last.
"Where do you suppose we will NEE
Munro's men?"
"Anywhere after we leave the half
way house, according to report"
.s.Yau know this man Munro!'
give met him."
els he as terrible as people thinf
him?'
"He seemed very boyish to me an6
not at all terrible"
1.-THE morning papers stated that III
had assumed absolute control up there
and that his men were drilled in true
military fashion"
$50 much the better for us" answer
ed Ann. "for he will see that we are
protected"
At about II o'clock they reached the
wide mountain meadow out of which
the Bear creek fell. The clouds hung
Just above their heads, a broad, seam
less gray roof.
At the halfway house they found 8
stage load of people and several freight
ers, and every mans mouth was agape
The tavern was q survival of the
days when railroads were of the far
away future-a long, low log structure
with a roof of dirt out Of which deat
weeds Haunted The front room, which
swarmed with men in rough clothing
seemed to be ..dntry store and post
Office as well as an eating house. A
small, active old woman met Ann witt
toothless grin. "Step right this way
and get out O. the smudge."
Ann followed her into minute bed
room which opened off the dining room
The old woman began to clatter. "Pu
off your things here. My, but them's
fine furs! Did We drive up from tn.
Springs? Are you going on to the
camp"
"Yes.''
"Waal, you'll find it lively up there
AS near as I can learn they mean biz!'
she whispered. "Some O Jack Nun
ro's men are in there now eatin'. They
keep mighty sharp watch on who
comes in these days. Soon's you're
ready I'll put you and your man dowr
at my end of the table and I'll looE
after ye.'
Ann laid aside her furs, but retained
her hat, and as she re-entered the room
made dazzling appeal to those rough
fellows, who eyed her with sly side
glances.
Braide, already seated, rose to mee1
her. 1--WE have reached an outpost Of
the guard and will be Intercepted be
fore we leave, l fear"
81 am quite ready to meet Them" she
replied, bending to her plate. 'They
can't refuse to let us pass"
The talk at the table was not illu
minating. Each man apparently strovt
to fill his paunch before his fellow
Only one of them seemed to study Anr
and her companion with candid inter
est. This was small man with 6
chin beard and an eye as keen as thai
of a blue jay. AS the other men fillei
up and left the table he came down and
carelessly took a seat near Braide.
81 reckon I've seen you before" he
began pleasantly.
II shouldn't wonder I'm DR.. Braide
of Valley Springs"
where you amin to go now, If it's
a fair question:"
ITO Skytown."
"Goin' to treat somebody? 2" asked the
old woman, who was lowering near.
Ann interposed. Eyes, he is going up
to treat my brother Louis, who is lying
i'll at Mr.. Raymond's cabin"
The stranger glowed again. Didn't
see nothin' Of the sheriff's army on the
way, did yep Here he winked al
Braide.
The doctor smiled. Not a thing.
don't think they've left the valley yet. ,
I'D advise 'em not to. I'm going
over to the camp myself. and if you
don't mind III jest nacherly jog along
a rod or two ahead Of you-to show
you the road"