Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-10

partners had time to calculate chances
and plan for the buying in of the prop
erty.
The din of controversy was deafen-
ing The labor leaders disclaimed all
knowledge of the outrage and roundly
| condemned Ii for the fooliShly deStruc-
tive act it really was. Kelly marched
in among them like a grizzly bear and
| stormed thunderously. You are re-
sponsible," he growled. You sit here
and send out appeals to the world
| while these hounds work their will
| Where was Munro and his regulators
"They can't be everywhere" ex-
| planned Carter. mo one supposed
such a thing could happen in the day
| light"
| "Ye're all set o. chicken heads.
| Ye've created a power We can't control.
| / give We notice that if ye don't go
| after the thieves that did this work
! I'll organize a vigilance committee and
take charge OF the whole gang of yeZ."
| And he strobe out of the room, leaving
the officers of the union disgraced and
angry. He confessed to Raymond on
his return that it was i foolish action.
1T was, Matt. You couldn't have
done a worse thing A large number
of these dago miners already consider
us their enemies, and this will confirm
them. We might as well take steps to-
night to get our party of the third part
in some sort of organization
All this excitement and worry aided
Raymond in tiding over the day, but
when midnight came and the commit
tee had slipped away into the night his
sense of loss and Il feeling of loneliness
took possession of him. Ann had an
nounced her intention to return TO the
Springs at the end of the week. and,
though she had vaguely promised to
visit the peak again, Raymond was not
deceived.
"She's quite right" he admitted to
his better judgment. "A mining camp
is no place for her or for Nora. Since
the destruction of that mill 1t is even
less desirable than before as place
of residence"
While on his way to the bungalow |
the following afternoon he met Munro |
accompanying stranger. a big, blond, |
handsome fellow in a gray travelling |
suit and soft hat. His face was plump |
and his brown beard close clipped. and, |
though he realized that he was more |
or less in durance, his eyes were smil- |
ing.
Munro called out, Rob, do you know
this chap?"
Il do not"
Munro turned to his prisoner. 81
thought you We're lying"
The stranger remained untroubled
90 NJ Pa
merely said that wanted you to take
Wayne Peabody. an old time friend of
Miss Rupert. VIII you please explain
to this knight of the hills that l am
in nowise interested in his stril-22$'
Raymond looked at him keenly SO
this was the eastern lover-this fat,
fair man. 81 think l have heard of
you" he began slowly.
Louis arrival relieved the awkward
ness of the moment. Hello, Mr.. Pea
body, how did you get here?"
Peabody caught at the boys hand.
well, well, Louis, I'm glad to see you.
You saved my life, How is Ann?"
Fine, You ought to see her work.
She's brown as oak. Come on, I'll take
you to her. Gee, she'll be glad to see
your
AS Peabody excused himself and
made off, Munro, with a world of
meaning in his voice, softly swore !
We'll, If I'd known that, 1 would have
killed him and laid him away under
little rock. She turned me down fiat
he other day, and it hurt. 1t hurts
worse now that I've seen the other
nan. really hoped you We're the win
ler"
Shes out of our world, Jack" re-
1lied Raymond. and a large part of his
resentment of NIunro's impertinence
vanished with the knowledge that he
vas fellow sufferer In despair
Munro went on gravely: ''She had
ne going, sure thing. Why, stopped
lrinking-just as i told you / would
md L cut off Claire Say. boy, that
vas severe job! She raised dust for 9
! day or two, but when the queen Of
Ieaven gave me my jolt 1 said, Wat |
he good| and slipped into my old |
ways. Think of us strutting around
he parade ground in front of the seats l
4 the visitors with intent to beat out {
Id Grant, and here we are. I'm polio L
w MINING camp, ana YOU re paving
irt like woodchuck. What fall is
here. my brotherr'' t
Raymond did not enjoy Munro's tone i
nd. changed the subject. What are e
on going to do nowy' Il
Munro ceased to laugh. II am going
D cinch this whole camp little tight Il
r from this on. I'm going to turn back L
very nonunion miner. All you fellows a
Tho are friendly can go on working o
lst the same, but your men must put o
on record" s
Raymond's face settled into stern
mes. Jack, don't want to be mixed d
p in another mans fight. We are on e
God terms with our hands-they're a b
It of cantankerous American citizens g
nyway and can't be coerced. / warn d
on not to monkey with our plant"
Munro LAUGHED. I'll f2ht- shy old e