, 1906-04-11

"a - 1890
different. About one-third of the men
on the peak are old prospectors and
free miners, and if they stay by the
proposition you've got to take a sneak
or put up the fight of the age"
ave stand pat" said Barnett, land
we shall insist on you arresting the
men who assaulted Mr.. Mackay.'
The sheriff made IN elaborate bow.
Fright you are, Mr.. Barnett, but I'll
want a hundred deputies to do it with"
Moving with such secrecy as he
could. the sheriff collected and swore
in some ninety men, the boldest and
hardest to be found in all the towns
of the valley. They were not sedate
and considerable citizens, but they were
brave, or at least reckless, and without
exception experienced wearers of guns.
They professed themselves quite able
and willing TO bring down anybody in
the bills. After being armed and pro-
visioned they were to be sent round
by way Of Il railroad which was BALD
ing toward the camp from the south.
Barnett was heedful of his words at
home and made light of the probable
opposition of the miners, but Louis,
with a boys ability to discern what
was going on, soon acquired a pretty
clear idea of the plan, and when Ann
asked him not to return to the heights
on Monday he was o%minously calm,
but asserted his right to go where he
pleased.
Rob wants me and needs me, and
Pm going. You can put me in Jail, but
that is the only way. If there is going
to be war, | am going to be in it, and
I'm going to be on the side OF the
miners"
Ann wrote a swift and fervent note
to Raymond:
| am trusting Louis to your care be-
cause he will not stay. You have won
his heart from us, and we are powerless
to prevent his return. Guard him, for the
sake of his boyish sweetness, for my
sake.
She wrote no further, for as her
mind dwelt upon that camp of rufian
miners and their desire for battle a bit
ter resolution swept over her. Il will
test his love for me-" With cold inten-
sity she announced her purpose. "If
you insist on going back to that camp
| shall go too"
You must not 60" said Louis. tits
no place for YOU"
at is no place for you"
He asserted himself again. Il ear
AXE care of myself"
'Mr. Raymond has asked me to keep
you here She went to him and put
her arm about his neck. Stay with
me, laddie. | am missing you these
days"
In the end she seemed to prevail, but
she took no pleasure in her victory, for
he went about the house like Il young
eagle |pinioned. Nothing save the news
of the camp interested him, and when
the time came for the sheriff to start on
his new raid he became greatly eX-
cited.
There's going to be a battle" he sad
to Ann. I'll going"
"No. no. SIZE pleaded.
He turned upon her with a resentful
stamp of his heel. II can't stay here
like a kid"
She changed her tone. very well.
When shall we start?'
He looked at her steadily, and into
his eyes came a softer CLEAN. i've
Just thought" he began reflectively;
you can stay with Mrs. Kelly till we
build a wing for you. She's a nice wo-
man and lives in the cunningest little
log cabin. That settles it, We will go
right away, today!'
Ann was at a loss, but did not show
It. "If you are determined to go, then
there is no use in waiting. Let us start
Mt once!'
While Mrs. Barnett suggested what
10 wear Dor ordered n carriage to take
Ann and himself to the train, and Louis
saddled his horse for his return trip up
the stage road. "I'l beat you up" he
shouted to Ann and galloped away
with shining face.
The railway which ran up Bear can
yon was still building and had not yet
reached the divide, so that a stage ride
of some twenty miles connected the
town of Grand View with Sky camp.
Ann and Barnett were noticeable per-
sons in the car, which was filled with
roughly clad workmen of all kinds.
Ann was conscious of their admira-
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.
81 didn't know it was a strike" said
he, ignoring their evident desire to be