Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-24

When Barnett entered Rob's room Ii,
round two letters lying on the littl,
desk. One was addressed to Don ant
one to Ann.
Barnett broke the seal and read his
note almost at glance:
Dear Barnett-rm sorry to pull out, ir
this way, but I am afraid it's my onl,
way. have been very uncomfortable be
cause OF my growing indebtedness to yo,
ana MIS-. Barnett. and so have cut loose
Please don't think me ungratsfvi, It /.
because l feel so deeply your kindnss,
that 30. Don't look for me. Tn COINS
to hole up for few days till / gel
strong. II you happen to get any clew tc
where I've gone, don't tell the boy.
can see that his sister does not approve
OF his fondness for me, and she Is quite
right. I'm not proper companion for q
boy of his sort. / inclose q check, which
squares us SO far as money can, but you,
Kindness In other ways, and especially
Mrs. Barnett's care and assistance, l an
In despair of ever paying slide out be.
cause it would be difficult and painful tc
say goodby, and, besides, / feel that
must cut loose from the boy.
Raymond's note to Ann was short
almost curt:
Since my thanks are burden to you
the least can do is to take myself out
entered 1t. Had attended to my duties
that night Of the fire. you would not have
been troubled by me. stayed because
you were beautiful, and that Is the whole
truth. 1t Is not the first time q man has
neglected his duties for a woman, and the
pain now suffer in giving up all hope
Of meeting you again is a just punishment
for my presumpticn. l am sorry to &c
without saying goodby to Louis. but 1t is
best. know you do not like his growing
regard for me. and you are quite right.
Louis came to her door and cried
out dolefully, "Ann, Rob has gone
awayw
II know it. Come in"
He entered with troubled, fearful
face and in deeply aggrieved tone said:
HE went without saying goodby. l
want to go hunt him and bring him
back, but Uncle Don says that we
must respect his wish. All the same,
l like him, and want him back. No,
I don't-1 want to go with him."
"And leave me?"
His resentment, long smoldering
burst forth: Yes, would! Don't you
suppose have seen how you treated
him? You think because you're from
New York you can snub a man like
Rob, but you're not up to him. You're
not half as good as he is"
Ann listened in establishment to this
outburst from her brother and then
cuttingly remarked:
Zone would think I had taken away
some plaything Of yours. Go out of my
room and stay out till you can treat
me with respect"
"I'm going, and you'll never see me
again. I'm going to follow Rob. l
don't care what you say" With this
defiant cry he rushed from. the room.
A keen ache Of jealousy ran through
the proud girls heart. The one soul of
vital interest in her life, her sweet little
brother, seemed about to pass from he,
hands to that Of an adventurer. Her
resentment of his influence blazed hot
within her. Il will defeat him with his
own weapons" she said. az will win
him back to me. I will 60 wherever he
wishes to CO."
But Louis did not return to lunch,
and she was greatly troubled. He did
not appear at dinner. and at last, open
ly alarmed, Ann told Mrs. Barnett of
Louis bitter accusation and of his
threat that he would never return.
Don't worry. Don will find him
He'll get tired Of 1t and come back
Ythnun hNr-fcH 10Y <v,1 l.,
1T scares me to think Of that poor,
innocent lad spending the night alone
in big, wicked western city. l wish
Don would hurry home. Can't I 20
down to his officer"
"Oh, no; there's no need Of your
going. III telephone him at once"
When Barnett returned. Ann, white
with anxiety, poured out her story. He
comforted her by saying: "You take 1t
too seriously. will notify the police at
Cinnabar and Mogalyon. They'll locate
him in an hour
They did not find him, and Ann pass
ID miserable night, imagining all
sorts Of Ill adventures into which
Louis might be led, and would have
accompanied Barnett on his quest next
day but for his firm command: Don't
be absurd. can find him alone much
quicker"
bring him back If you have to use
forceP she. cried. And then, with a
knowledge Of Raymond's power, she
added: IF you And Mr.. Raymond
please tell him to send laddie home.
Say wish It."
With these words In his ear Barnett
took his way to his once. At lunch he
was more concerned, "Hs's not in
oInnabar nor any Of The surrounding
towns. He may have gone back to
the ranch. will wire out there this
afternoon. Did he have any money?'
Eyes. l had just given him his al
lowance. He must have had nearly
5000"
Don whistled. "A smart boy can
hide out good while on that. How.
ever, he'll come back when his pet
wears off,"
Even though Raymond had taken
himself bodily out Of her life, his
power to disturb and thwart AIMS
will remained. She began to fear him
hf1oInI|E m