Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-25

Peabody alone smiled. "Ah, you
were my guide up the hill Ny guard
as wen as guide, take It."
ATd rather have been your erecu-
TONER"
For what reason?"
"Had l known you were coming to
get the queen Of the peak your blood
had stained the heather"
Good heavens, what an escape! Am
IQuite safe now 2" he asked Of Kelly.
This foolfng over, they took seats,
and the conversation ran to the pros
poets Of the camp, and Peabody, with
q feeling that Kelly was the man Of
richest experience, persuaded him to
tell something Of his wonderful career
as trailer of golden pathways.
Raymond sat in silence, while Ann
awoke to a delicious excitement In the
situation. Before her sat three very
direct and forceful lovers regarding
each other like tigers, instinct with
hate, yet masking it, pretending to
ousy ragged beneath. She provoked
Munro to the most audacious sayings
merely to see Peabody stare, and she
flung an appealing word at Raymond
now and again as If valuing his opin-
ion above all others, though he made
but curt answers, returning to his fire,
mystiaed by her gayety and by her
subtlety Of byplay. Munro, SO far from
being depressed by Peabody's pres
ence, was carried quite beyond his
usual self, and his reckless compliments
had keen edge. In the end Ann re-
GREETED her encouragement Of his au-
dacity.
Raymond's guests rose at last, and
Ann and Peabody went away together.
This cut deeper than all else, and
Louis, who took very pessimistic view
Of the whole affair, did not comfort
him. She'll go back with him. can
see that" he said. "And she'll want
me to go, too, but won't"
Munro went away outwardly jocular,
but inwardly sadder than he had ever
been in his life, for his love for Ann
was mingled with respect for her mind,
her character. Her calm and kindly at
titude toward him that night had been
revelation to him.
Peabody on his return found Ray
mond sitting alone by his fire. Louis
was deep in slumber.
"That man Munro is an interesting
fellow. What do you know about him ?"
asked the lawyer.
''Not very much. He's rather secre-
i've. He came here from Sylvanite, l
believe"
Ellis jokes about getting under my
ribs were little grewsome. He struck
me as just about medieval enough to
do thunder proper conditions. Tell me
about yourself. Ann has only praise
for you. want to thank you most cor
daily for your kindness to her and to
the boy. He's much improved less
nervous and more manly"
II doubt IL he can be persuaded to
leave. He told me tonight that he
wouldn't go"
Well, I'm glad met you. Mr.. Ray
mond. I shall feel easier about the boy
in case we do go east without him.
These cordial, frank and manly
words struck an icy chill to Raymond's
heart It was all over then. She had
consented to go, and his life was laid
waste. He rose unsteadily.
You must be tired. Shall show you
your bunkp he asked.
Il believe I will turn In responded
Peabody.
When the young miner returned to
bis seat beside the fire big lump Of
pain filed his throat, and he owned a
boyish desire to fling himself down on
the floor and sob. He lost all shame of
his weakness at length and went out
into the night-to be alone with the
deepest grief Of his life.
TN he cor tlDIled