Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-05-30
CHAPTER NNyI.

anu oluilous movements laklnB pace
In the scope Of her window. She stud
led Raymond, in earnest but apparent
ly unexpected conference with his
workmen. No word of their low ut
terance reached her ears, but she OBJ
served that they organized into squads
us If In obedience to some command
and that each man armed himself and
that each face was grim or recklessly
smiling. That they formed her guard
she knew, and this in itself ought to
have been thrilling. But 1t was motif
seemed absurd.
Raymond did II 1T show himself again
to her until a.,a.it o'clock of the
evening, when lie entered the sickroom
and said quietly to Braidc: doctor.
you better go to bed If the patient will
permit. You may be badly needed
early tomorrow morning"
"Very WE'LL" acquesced Braide. con
vinced that closer tie than friend
ship united Ann and the young miner
and that they desired to be alone.
The door had hardly closed behind
the young physician when Ann turned
to Raymond and imperiously said:
"4ou must not try to evadc me.
want to know what is threatening.
Tell me"
1.-THE camp-is Wild" he admitted,
feeling the resentment in her voice.
"and don't see how clash can be
avoided SO long as Munro is in COM
mand and Keeps his present temper.
But you need give no thought to that.
All my men are on guard tonight, and,
whatever happens, this cabin is safe"
II like you to be honest with me-"
she said, more gently. Pm not. u
child. and I'm not a timid person."
"You shall know" he answered, talk
ing a seat before the fire He had
never been more admirable than ut
that moment. My theory is that the
sheriff's forces are eager to storm the
hill before the governor has chance
to interfere and protect his pets that
Is the way they put it. If the attack
is made desperate struggle Will fol-
low. Probably the deputies will try to
carry the fertilization direct. Mean
while Kelly and have drawn up and
forwarded to the governor a long tele-
gram signed by the leading inIepcnd-
ents, reciting our disaster and de-
handing immediate interference Oh his
part, and we are hoping to hear from
him before midnight have also
wired Barnett to warn the sheriff of
your presence here and that we are
guarding you. l think Don is with the
deputies. If he is he will see that this
ol,f, ,;,,f, i.
Grafton"
"Where is Captain Munro?"
His vedettes are campef on the
north slope, but may engage the enemy
Mt any moment, for Jack Is quite as
eager as the sheriff to win first blood.
If it We're not for the possible injury
of innocent men and women l would
say let them fight 1t out. Each camp
Is quite as crazy and lawless as the
other Now you have the truth. have
concealed nothing from you. Il will
even tell you that Munro has promised
to come down for final conference
with the Independents and that we are
still hoping TO persuade him to leave
the camp"
The sick boy stirred uneasily and
called family. and Ann went to him
and bent above him tenderly. "Hcre
am, BuGdie. Are you better?'
"Oh, Pm so hot! Take that blanket
off me-"
Raymond looked at Ann. "shall 1
tighten his lpadE'
She shock her head rs she put glass
of water. to the boys lips. what time
Is it2" he asked as he fell back upon
his pillow.
"Going on 10 O'clock
HAS the fight come off YETI"
Raymond was cautious. mo. the
camp is quiet"
lie insisted on taking 81 hope they
won't fight till get over this cold. It's
hard luck. to be here. What day is IT.
How long have been sick? You
should have seen Jack when he rode
UP and stopped the man. In this way
his Mind leapcd and danced for an
hour, but he grew drnwsy at last and
Went away into sleep.
AIM spoke first. "poor boy! He will
always feel dcfraudcd to think he Is
missing all the drama"
"Your father must have been such
another enthusiast / liked his name
for you"
She colorc,l "That was the only
thing had to rcproach him for. re-
pfoach myself HON. L not acquicscing
In 1t. ] think it g..evc,l him to have
me side with mother :is,li,ist it,"
1t Is sweet name 10 mc-Hesper."
He uttered 1t with. the Tenderness
which dwells in the voice Of a lover
and its letters sang together-but he
dared not look ut her.
Raymond was hastenfA,, to apologize
for his temerity When the noise Of a
gAllopins horse cat short his speech
and whltcnedi ,tan's cheek, SO porteI.
togs was; the sarsnd OF haste at such
an hour y hope that Is Jack" said
the minesS and fastened to the 1oor to
meet and silence Munro, who entered
with studied effect and, removing bis
sonGrero, bowed very low, to Ann.
Good evening, naughty princess.
How's the kid! ~.
Ann, relieved to ttnd, 4he flying uAe,,.
senger an expected though unwcccsne
Nisltor' fePlieH pleasantly, Hes bet.
ter, thank YOU"
A covert smile curlcd the hardsa me
bps OF The young leader as he glanced
from raymond to Ann, and something
IN his bearing puzzled the, girl. When
he spoke again, with a grcMlng dclIb-
GRAFTON. she perceived jthat he was in,
liquor.
You mustn't be a.armed- csc ,are
rough times. but yetl'll be protected.
Battles comm or this time, sure
thing. We move eH.the enemy ut day
break. Sit down.. Don't stand in my
presence" lie added. with comical
twist of his lips.
Ann turned withja startled glance
to Raymond. WHO /geniully said: I'm
glad you came, down, Jack. / want
you to hold conference with the.in-
dependents
Munro stitrened- mo time for, CON