Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-05-04

Ile railway Wnlcn ran up Bear can
yon was still building and had not yet
reached the divide, so that stage ride
of some twenty miles connected the
town of Grand View with Sky camp.
Ann and Barnett were noticeable per-
sons in the car, which was filled with
roughly clad workmen of all kinds.
Ann was conscious of their admira-
ton for her, and it deeply annoyed her.
Two or three of the better dressed men,
who were on speaking acquaintance
with Barnett, came up to ask him what
he thought Of the strike.
81 didn't know it was strike" said
he, ignoring their evident desire to be
introduced to Ann.
"Oh, it's strike all right. Your man
Mackay wasn't much hurt, was he"
"Not badly"
"He was little too previous. hope
the sheriff won't try to do anything
more about it. The boys up at Sky
are a little sharp set about that busi-
ness. Amt goin' up there yourself, are
ye?"
"Yes: I'VE always been on good terms
with my men, / think l can help to
arrange some sort of compromise
The two miners looked at each other.
| At length the older Of them said In
tone that meant good deal to ears &C.
customed to western infections: swell,
/ I reckon the whole thing has been ex-
aggerated. My claim is just below
Bozle, and SO, of course, don't know
much more about Sky than you do.
Still wouldn't advise your going In at
! this time"
At Grand View a couple Of stages
met them, and as Ann waited on the
platform for Don to secure a carriage
she observed that on the seat of each
of the coaches two guards sat, neglI-
gently nursing rifles which glittered In
the sunlight. Soon the whips began to
crack, and the coaches rolled away one
by one, leaving Barnett to follow in
road wagon which be had hired for
their own especial use.
The sun was sinking to midafter-
noon, and Mogalyon on the left was IN
full glory of ermine and saffron. The
air was keen and crisp, the sky cloud
less. and the road, except for an occa-
sional mudhole, was very good. Bar
nett remarked, "We ought to pull into
Bozle before dark on these roads,"
Night came abruptly. A thin gray
scum rose swiftly ON the western sky
and suddenly grayed the brightness OF
the sun. The world grew instantly
stern and cold. The road, after climb
ing ridge, descended into a gorge
with frs on either side, and when they
came out upon the fiat meadow to the
northwest of Mogalyon only the lights
of Skytowp could be seen.
At the moment that Don was point
ing out the lights two horsemen ap-
peared in front and In the middle OF
] the road.
'Halt!" cried q clear voice.
The driver pulled his tired horses to
stand so theoretically that his hands
rose above his head.
us Donnelly Barnett with your
asked one Of the men as he rode
nearer
'Tm Barnett. What do you want of
meT asked Don coolly.
"Not thing" answered the horse
man. "Thats just it. We have no use
for you, and I've been watching to
meet you and say that the boys want
you to continue your quiet, uneventful
life at the Springs"
"Who are ycu?"
Were couple of Skytown vedettes.
Who is the lady?"
'That doesn't concern you. Go on,
driver"
The driver took up the reins, but the
voice Of the vedette grew sterner,
"Stay where you arew Then, turning
to Barnett: "Tm your best friend, Don
nelly. The boys understand that you
are backing Mackay in his plans, and
it isn't safe for you to enter the camp.
1 advise you to turn around right here
and 60 back"
Ann spoke up: please let US go on.
Mr.. Barnett is taking me in to meet
my brother, and l am cold and hun
cry"
There was something thrilling in the
calm, clear sweetness of her voice, and
the first Of the vedettes, pressing near
err leaned from his saddle to ask:
"Who is your brother, lady?"
Ellis name is Louis Rupert. He is
only boy, and am going in to care
for him..
"Rob Raymond's kid. / know him."
replied the vedette. "But | thought he
was visiting you in the Springs"
"He was, but he went back to the
camp today, and am very anxious
about him."
"He's all right, lady, so long as Rob
Raymond has him in hand. You are
welcome, but Barnett is on the out
side and must stay there"
81 decline to acknowledge your au-'
thority," responded Barnett, now thor
oughly angry.
The horseman laughed softly, irritat-
ingly. Manners don't 60 with us at
the present time. ! must ask you to
camp right here or go back to Grand
View till can communicate with the
president of the union. If you are
here to talk compromise the men will
be glad to meet you, but my judgment
is that you better retire to Grand View.
1 will see that this lady gets to her
brother"
Ann was not a timid girl, but the
thought of, riding away into the black
ness of the night with these sinister
guards made her flesh chill and her
nerves creep. Don't leave me, Don,"
she Uhisnprpd