Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-20

IouSulN tidu NOfNilltn 0f all kiDdS Ann was cGllSeiouS of their aImira- ton for her. and it deeply annoyed her Two or three of the better dressed men, who were on speaking acquaintance with Barnett, came Up to ask him what he thought of the strike
 T didn't know it WAS strike" said he, ignoring their evident desire t5 he introduced to Ann
 "Oh it's strike all right Your man Maekay wasn't much hurt. was hct"
 Not badly"
 He Was little too previous. I hope the sheriff won't try to do anything more about it. The boys up at Sky are ] little sharp set about that buSi- ness. Amt goin' up there yourself, are ye:9
 Yes; Eve always been on good terms l with my men 1 think l can help to arrange sOn>a sort of q compromise" The two miners looked at each other. At length the older of them said in a tone that meant q good deal to ears ac- custoned to western infections: Well. I reckon the whole thing has been ex- aggerated. My claim is just below BoZle. and so, of course, don't know much more about Sky than you do. Still I wouldn't advise your going in at this time
 At Grand View q couple of stages met them. and as Ann waited on the 1 platform for Don to secure q carriage she observed that on the seat of each of the coaches two guards sat. nc@l- gently nursing rifles which glittered in the sunlight. Soon tEe whips began to i crack. and the coaches rolled away one by one. leaving Barnett to follow ill a road wagon which he had hired for their own especial use.
 The sun was sinking to midafter- noon, and Mogalyon on the left was in full glory of ermine and saffron. Tie air was keen and crisp the sky cloud less, and the road, except for an occa- sional mudhole, was very good. Bar i nett remarked We ought to pull into Bozle before dark on these roads,
 Night came abruptly. A thin gray scum rose swiftly on the western sky and suddenly grayed the brightness of
  stern and cold The road. after climb ing ridge. descended into a gorge with frs on either side and when they came out upon the fiat meadow to the northwest of Mogalyon only the lights of SkytoWn could be seen.
 At the moment that Don was point ing cut the lights two horsemen ap= peared in front and in the middle of the road.
 Halt cried q clear voice.
 The driver pulled his tired horses to a stand so energetically that his hands rose above his head.
 "Is ponnelly Barnett with you?" asked one of the men as he rode nearer.
 "I'm Barnett What do you want of me?' asked Don coolly.
 Not a thing" answered the horse man. That's just it. We have no use for you, and I've been watching to meet you and say that the boys want you to continue your quiet uneventful life at the Springs
 Who are Nou?'
 Were a couple of Skytown vedettes. Who is the lady:'
 That doesn't concern you. Go on, driver"
 The driver took up the reins. but the voice of the vedette grew sterner. stay where you are"' Then, turning to Barnett: I'm your best friend, Don nelly The boys understand that you are backing Mackay in his plans, and it isn't safe for you to enter the camp I advise you to turn around right here and go back"
 Ann spoke up: Please let Us go on. Mr. Barnett is taking me in to meet my brother, and l am cold and hun. gry.''
 There was something thrilling in the calm, clear sweetness of her voice, and the first of the vedettes, pressing near CT leaned from his saddle to ask:
 "Who is your brother, lady?" His name is Louis Rupert. He is only d boy, and l am going in to care for him."
 Rob Raymonds kid. know him. replied the vedette. But thought he was visiting you in the Springs"
 "He was, but he went back to the camp today, and l am very anxious about him."
 He's all right, lady, so long as Rob Raymond has him in hand. You are welcome, but Barnett is on the out side and must stay there" II decline to acknowledge your au- thority," responded Barnett, now thor oughly angry.
 The horseman laughed softly, irritat- ingly. Manners don't go with us at the present tilne l must ask you to camp right here or go back to Grand View till can communicate with the president of the union. If you are here to talk compromise the men will be glad to meet you, but my judgment is that you better retire to Grand View. I will see that this lady gets to her brother"
 Ann was not timid girl, but the