Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-04

, how long he had been from nonie 1 ue-
terrnined to hustle him back to the
| Springs. but he asked to stay day or
! two. and here he is. Will you trust him
| with me? He will tire of it here by and
| by and go back to you of his own accord.
| Just now he is mad over the life and the
| scenery. AS for myself, I am a new man,
| with new aspirations. They may not
Seem very high to you, for / am striving
now to acquire gold, but that is only a
| means to an end. There Is something else
In the world for me to do. don't know
what 1t is to be-perhaps my care of this
| wonderful boy is a part of 1t. At any
rate. he is here and not to be driven away
without great risk to him and deep pain
| to me. So, unless you object, 1 shall keep
him. Our life Is rough, but not contain
mating. will see that no harm comes to
him.
There was nothing more personal in
the letter than this, but AIMS heart
warmed to the writer unaccountably.
And yet the thought of Louis in a min
Ing camp troubled her. II ought to go
and fetch him away" she said to Don.
mo, no! You remain here, and
will go over and see the little scamp
and bring him back if possible"
The next morning Raymond put into
action 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. "See here lad I've
brought you up here to ask you a few
questions said he.
Louis braced himself. Sire away!
ND
are alone in the world-I mean you are
closer to each other than to any one
else-shes 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 place for
you here"
"She won't consent. I'd have to run
away again, and I'd do it," he added
defantly.
Raymond. after pause, slowly re-
sumed: "Now, I want to make COM
pact with you. If you'll go down and
see her, will write 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.
It'll do itg' he cried out, and his tone
carried conviction.
Raymond continued: "You like me,
and like you. You can't live in the
Springs, and your sister can't live
here. So 1t seems that / must be your
big brother and look after you. And,
bark ye, you must mind what 1 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
I'll find something on top for you to
do. You must take care Of those lungs
Of yours for awhile. But come, let's
see Il we can't catch the STAGE
"oh, let me stay till tomorrow
pleaded the boy. II don't want to go
today. It's too beautiful to MISS"
Raymond reflected moment. every
we'll, but you'll want that stage ride.
4ts one Of the finest roads in the
mountains. You rattle down the can
yon tomorrow, sure thing. Remember
that!
Together they went down toward the
mine, where 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 a jocose TRADE. "You
scampl 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?'' y
Raymond hastened to say, 81 induced
him to wire as soon as he turned up."
Had you been here all the time, you
young rattlepateT
Louis was not afraid Of Barnett.
Eyes; l was down there looking for
Bob" he pointed toward the town of
Bozle.
swell. I'm to bring you home-in-
stantlyp
Louis took shelter behind Raymond.
mo, you don't. Tell him, Rob-"
Raymond winked at Barnett. "He's
going tomorrow on promise to me,
Don. I've made bargain with him.
he can tell you about It on the way.
Moreover. he is going BY stage. Hes
on honor"
when they were alone Barnett said,
"The most unaccountable of all things
Il the human heart. That boy is crazy
about you. By the way, how's the
lung?"
almost as good as ever"
"Your constitution is 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 I had my way" said Barnett,
''I'd have this meddling idiot Larned
thrown out of the camp. What bust
ness has he here? He's a rank out
slider anyway, and this union is a
breeder of war"
Raymond raised warning hand.
Careful, Don. It doesn't do for you to
cay such things up here. This union
has come to stay, and you who employ
labor will do well to treat it with a
certain measure of respect"
"But you're an employer too.'
Raymond laughed. "Oh, my little
crew don't count. They're all pros