Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-06
CHAPTER, VI

IA
"---~ it lcIsurciy, thinking 1t some
matter Of business, but his hands stiff
eneI as he read:
BOD Raymond is shot. Send best doctor
la town 'iG.CL. WATSON
For just a moment lie sat in silence
then roe and walked slowly to his IL
braiy. Seating himself before the lit
tie desk Oh which stood Il movable tele
phone receiver, lie began to make
| thing hum He reached his friend
DR.. Brade, and set him in motion. He
ordered out his racing automobile. He
tclegraphed Watson to take fresh
horses and return by way Of Junction
and get the best doctor there. Burn
tie air as you co." he added.
After giving orders for his valise to
be packed he walked up to Mrs. Bar
nett'3 room and kissed her good morn
ing without betraying his excitement.
I'm going out to the ranch he said
1.-THE boys are having trouble with the
hay, and | want to see how they're
coming Oh. You won't mind, will
your
"Of course not, Don. I'm going to be
all right in a few hours. I'm glad
you're going. You can bring Ann home
You should have gone with her yester.
day"
II see that now" he answered. dryly.
ut will be startling world for her.
Well, I'm off. Better stay in bed to-
day. I'll be back by tomorrow night, l
think"
When he took his seat in his big, fiat,
powerful auto car his face was set in
grim lines. rs she all right, Henry?'
he asked Of his engineer.
"In perfect order, sir"
"She needs to be. This Is to be q
record breaker"
With his big goggles over his eyes
and his cap drawn low down on his
forehead. Barnett seized the wheel,
and the ponderOus, painting organism
began to move. Wheeling into the
street he let on the full power Of the
engine, and when he drew up at
Braides gate the mechanism was hot
with speed. its joints oiled and fric-
tionless-in racing trim.
Braide, Il small smiling, trig young
fellow, came out. what is it al!
about, Don?"
SCOT your tools?"
He pointed at his bag, Emergency
kit"
"Then all aboardv'
Henry leaped out and caught up the
bag, while the doctor climbed in beside
Barnett on the front seat.
''Ths looks ominous. How much of
trip is it going to be-"
"Just short rum" answered Bar
nett as he swung the shining red bulk
Of the car into Mogalyon avenue, which
led directly east over the plain.
Beneath their feet the puff and click
Of the piston and the pur of cogs grew
each moment more furious until all
sounds fused into humming roar.
The keen air of the morning smote the
riders jovially. The flaming sunlight
slanted upon them with growing heat,
and backward, beneath them, the sod
swept like a tawny carpet, while Bar
nett. watchful, intent, composed, work
ed the levers and valves with the skill
of a practical engineer. When they had
do nd
climbing the long, low ridge he casual
IL remarked:
- "NIy foreman, Raymond, is shot, and
you've got to pull him through"
"Great Scott, Don, | can't afford the
time! It'll take all day. II Ia
Known
you'd have gone Just the same as
serted Barnett calmly. The machine
was again running swiftly. You're
here and you daren't jump out, and
you might as well enjoy yourself. This
Is to be record run. Pm going to pull
in by noon"
Braide was young and man of red
blood and shining eyes. VERY well;
20 it. old sport! l can stand it If you
can. I'll make it a holiday and charge
you double for every hour"
When they had reached the top of the
pass between two pinOn spotted hills
the road could be seen for miles, driv-
ing straight into the mist of the mighty
Missouri valley.
cts all the way down grade from
here to OMAHA" remarked Barnett.
81 could make the run in two hours,
only [ mustn't invite breakdown"
you seem to value your foreman"
"IIe's something more than my fore
man. He's a splendid chap. You've
met him=the fellow who went on the
coyote drive with u.s."
"Why, certainly 1 remember him..
I've met him at the club. But he was
very reticent. l didn't get at him.
Who is he? How does he come to be
your foreman"
'TIe's little slow about telling his
own life story, but he's all right. l
think | know the cause of this shoot
ing. He got into trouble with q couple
of fellows out there, and one of them
has done him"
.uz..-.u-