Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-28

will go over and sec the little SCAMP
and bring him back if possible"
The next morning Raymond put into
action Il measure he had formulated
during the night. He called Louis to
him, and together they assembled the
Lookout" as Kelly called the ledge
back of his cabin. "Sec here lad, I've
brought you up here to ask you a few
questions" said he.
Louis bruced himself. "Fire awayv'
"As l understand it, you and-Ann
are alone in the world-I mean yon are
closer TO each other than to any one
else-she's your best friend You've
given her great deal of anxiety, my
lad, and that isn't right. You must go
straight back to her and apologize and
ask her permission to come back. If
she consents, then I'll make n place for
you here"
"She won't consent. I'd have to run
away again, and I'd do itn' he added
defiantly.
Raymond, after a pause, slowly re-
sumed: "Now, want to make n COM
pact with you If you'll go down and
see her, will write a letter interceding
for You and asking her to let you re-
turn"
The lads face was suddenly illumi-
mated. He threw out his small palm.
I'll do it," he cried out, and his tone
carried conviction.
Raymond continued: you like me,
and l like you. You can't live in the
| Springs, and your sister can't live
here. So it seems that must be your
big brother and look after you. And,
bark we, You must mind what l say,
or I'll take birch to you.''
This threat seemed not to appall the
boy. Can work in the mine?"
"No; you can't work in the mine, but
Ill find something on top for you to
do. You must take care of those lungs
Of yours for awhile. But come, let's
see If we can't catch the STAGE
"Oh, let me stay till tomorrow
pleaded the boy. II don't want to 60
today. It's too beautiful to miss"
| Raymond reflected moment. Every
well, but you'll want that stage ride.
: ~ Vic VI iuC lHcSl Ill Tue
mountains. You rattle down the can
yon tomorrow. sure thing. Remember
| thatw
Together they went down toward the
! mine, where II group of men were
building log cabin. Here is where
we are to live, provided your sister
consents"
Barnett came riding up the hill about
shutdown and Immediately at sight of
Louis began jocose TRADE. you
scamp! You young fyaway! A nice
interlude you've given us. Ann hadn't
slept wink for week till she got
your message yesterday. How long
have you been here?"
Raymond fastened to say, 81 induced
him to wire as seon as he turned up"
Had YOU been here all the time, you
young rattlepate?"
Louis was not afraid of Barnett.
Yes; ] was down there looking for
Rob-" He pointed toward the town of
Bozle.
"Well, I'm to bring you home-in-
stantly"
Louis took shelter behind Raymond.
NO, YOU don't. Tell him, Rob-"
Raymond winked ut Barnett. "He's
going tomorrow on promise to me,
Don. I've made q bargain with him.
He can tell you about it on the way.
Moreover, he is going by stage. He's
| on honor
When they were alone Barnett said:
THE most unaccountable of all things
is the human heart. That boy is crazy
about you. By the way, how's the
lung!"
almost as good as ever"
Your constitution Is a wonder, And
the mining deal:"
Very promising"
In the talk that followed RAYMOND
learned for the first time of the pro.
posed consolidation of the Red Star
with two or three other heavy proper
ties, and they fell into discussion of
the camp.
III l had my way said Barnett,
I'D have this meddling idiot Larned
thrown out OF the camp What bust
ness has lie here? He's rank out
slider anyway, and this union is a
breeder of war"
Raymond raised Il warning hand.
Careful, Don. 1t doesn't do for you to
say such things up here. This union
has come to stay, and you who employ
labor will do well to treat it with
certain measure Of respect"
But you're an employer too"
Raymond laughed. "Oh, my little
crew don't count. They're all pros
pectors or cowboys, and, besides,
work right with them and am classed
as working miner. Your case is diff.
ferent."
Barnett went away calmly superior,
but came back from conference with
Mackay, the superintendent of the Red
Star, less naughty of manner, but dis
tlnctly more acrid Of tone. "Mackay
says this COMPOUNDED union is growing
rapidly and that practically every in
coming miner joins at once. l told him
to nip the thing In the bud, and lie has
begun to formulate plan to do So"
wait year." warned Raymond.
wait till pay for my mine"
That night as Louis sat before the fire
In the center Of the unfinished cabin
his face shone with joy and the heart
of the tall miner grew very tender to-
ward him. 1t was good to have this
gay young brother of his love to keep
him company. A new sensation arose
from having some one to plan for and |
to protect.
The dreaming lad, outstretched on
pile of blankets with his hands under
his head and his small feet, clothed in
lnoccasins, extended to the blaze, sud-
denly turned and said: Rob- this is
the kind of life for me- Wouldn't ia
Their have liked this? Id be perfectly
happy il didn't have to pack off down
tile hill tomorrow. Why couldn't Ann
come Up here"
Maybe. by and by, when we get our
cabin fixed up, we will ask your sister
and Mrs. Barnett to come up and visit
u.s." said Raymond.
Louis started up. "Oh, will you? II