, 1906-04-04
said Raymond.

Louis started up. "Oh, will you? II
Ann were here I would never want to
go back east a~gain-never! l could
live here always"
A foot outside disturbed Raymond,
and a mans voice called, us Rob Ray
mond here?"
In the unfinished doorway stood a
graceful young fellow in a white SON.
brero and a neatly fitting dark suit.
Jack Munro!' exclaimed Raymond,
and they shook hands. "Sit down.
This is a boy friend of mine from the
Springs" he said, indicating Louis.
"What can l do for your"
Nothing, old man. Just lined you
out today. | heard that a man named
Raymond had taken a lease with Kelly,
but | didn't know it was you till | saw
you with Barnett today. Well, this is
wonderful! Where you from? What
have you been doing since ~we-grad-
uated?" There was something in his
voice that eluded Louis. Raymond
gave Munro a warning glance.
ooh, a little of everything cattle
ranching, hunting, mining. | saw you
last night in Hanley's saloon"
"Why didn't you speak up?'
Raymond hesitated. Il didn't know
whether YOU
"Ol. rats! Pm not one to dodge.
What did getting fired amount to any
way? I was ready to leave"
Raymond repeated his warning sign.
"Havc you been back-home?"
Munro smiled broadly. you bet! l
went back and swelled around in high
feathers-told my side of the story
understand? I didn't let the institution
get the drop on me. But, see here,
come up to the saloon; l want to talk
things over with you. The boys are
bound to make me take a hand in his
union"
Cant do 1t now, Jack. But come
down again. Louis is going back to-
morrow, and I'll be alone for a day or
two, and hen we can talk freely"
"All right. There are a whole lot Of
things l want to turn over. By the
Lord, this is wonderful-our meeting
up here" He was reluctant to go.
you bring up the old days. Well, so
long"
When Raymond returned to his seat
his face was grave and his Eyes deeply
reflective.
Louis was much interested In the
stranger. "Who was that, RobT"
"A chap I used to know"
Next morning atte= breakfast Ray
mond hurried Louis off down the can
yon to the stage and in his letter to
Ann repeated his pledge to look care
fully after the boys health and to keep
him out of mischief.
Louis arrived at the Springs fairly
hysterical with joy we his wonderful
days ride and set about to describe
Skytown.
His absence had been a revelation of
his value to Ann. She had not realized
up to that moment how deeply his care
was woven into her daily life. 1t was
jealousy of ~Raymond's power-an acrid
juice-which had turned her pity for
him. while wounded and helpless, into
resentment. and now that he WAS well
and triumphantly drawing the 10y to
his side her heart was bittcr with
hatred, but she gave her consent to
Louis return because she dared not
10 otherwise. and in a letter to Ray
mond she said:
l resign Louis into your hands. because
cis happiness Is 1lorr ln4n my own ane
because he no longer regards my wishes
[ have heard much of the gambling and
drinking of mining camps. 1 beg of you to
guard him. He is so fine and sweet now,
and deflement is so easy.
Upon reading this letter the camp
suddenly became a dark and dangerous
place to the young miner. He found it
harder to make excuse for profanity
and foul jests of the miners, and he
went less and less among them and
spent more of his time with the lad
watching him draw or listening to him
while he read.
Their cabin became the center of the
finer spirits of the camp. Dolan and
one or two of his friends often came
II of an evening to smoke a pipe and
play a friendly game of cards. "a
visit to the bungalow always pays"
said one young fellow whose weakness
was drink. '"rhey send a fellow away
feeling respectable"
ITO BE Continued