Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-06-29

doctor. l will gladly recOmpense you
for any loss of patients" said Aun.
please don't trouble about my pa
~tients. 1t is a pleasure for me to serve
you l beg you not to bring it down
to SO mercenary plane"
"That's very kind of you, but must
insist Oh making it matter of profess
sional service" replied Ann, for he, too,
was Il sutton, and she liked him, but at
this moment she wanted his skill-his
training as physician, not bis adora-
ton. This he had insight enough to
perceive.
1--WE can go by the Southern railway
and drive from Sage Flat, or we can
90 over the stage road. In either. case
we must meet and pass Munro's guard.
According to all accounts, he has a
complete circle"
Il am not afraid Of Munro or his
men," she answered. "In fact, they
will be our safeguard. / will telegraph
to Mr.. Munro that we are coming, and
he will see that we are protected"
"If you feel that way, then the SIM
plest and quickest route Is over the
old stage road. With a good span Of
horses and light cart we can drive to
Bozle by 4 o'clock and reach Skytown
before dark"
'"Then let us gOv' she cried, rising.
81 will order a carriage at once and
call for you in half an hour"
81 will be ready" he alertly replied.
BY means of the telephone Ann or
dered the liveryman to harness his best
span Of horses to mountain buck
board. "No, i do not need driver
she sharply answered to his query.
"Get them here quick!'
Before she left the receiver Barnett
came rushing into the room. "Whats
all this? Jeanette tells me you're 60
ing back to Skytown today"
I'm twenty minutes l shall be on the
road"
"Alone?"
mo; DR.. Braide Is going with me-"
Impossible! You mustn't do 1t! Our
attack is to be made tonight. The
whole hill will be a battle-ground to-
morrow"
81 can't help that, Don. I must go to
my brother. He needs me all the more.
Think of that poor boy lying there
burning with fever and battle going
on! Put off your attack. It's all fool
ish. wicked, anyhow. What good will
it do? You will only kill men or get
killed yourself"
DR.. Braide was waiting as Ann drew
up to his door. He carried big bear
skin robe over his arm and held medi-
cine case in his hand. "Have you
plenty of wraps? It's cold up there,
they say. Let me arrange this robe
around your feet Shall driver
mo, thank you. 1 will drive"
The horses were marvels. They
pushed up the steep, winding road with
steady stride, their heads swinging.
Not till they entered the canyon did
they lag into a walk. The clouds
hung low, in great gray masses, cover
ing even the secondary peaks. Patches
of snow began to appear at the road
side. 1t was bleak, inhospitable and
silent world.
''There is something ominous In this
Stiffness" Ann said at last.
"Where do you suppose we will meet
Munro's menY'
Anywhere after we leave the balf-
way house, according to report"
'YOu know this man Munr0?
give met hlm."
'Is he as terrible as people think
nim?"
"He seemed very boylsh to me and
not at all terrible" /
''The morning papers stated that he
lad assumed absolute control up there,
md that his men were drilled in true
military fashion"
$50 much the better for u.s." answer
ID Ann, "for he will see that we are
At about II o'clock they reached the
vide mountain meadow out of which
he Bear creek fell. The clouds hung
ust above their heads, broad, seam
ess gray roof.
At the halfway house they found
tage load Of people and several freight
RS, and every mans mouth was agape.
The tavern was survival Of the
lays which railroads were Of the far
way future-a long, low log structure
With a roof of dirt out Of which dead
weeds Haunted. The front room, which
warmed with men In rough clothing,
eemed to be a country store and post
flee as we'll as an eating house. A
mall, active old woman met Ann with
oothless grin. "Step right this way
nd get out O. the smudge."
Ann followed her into a minute bed
DOM which opened off the dining room.
he old woman began to clatter. "Put
IF your things here. My, but them's
inc furs! Did We drive up from the
springs? Are you going on to the
amp?"
Eyes"
"Waal, you'll find it lively up there!
Is near as / can learn they mean biz!'
he whispered. "Some o. Jack Mum
o's men are in there now eatin'. They
.eep a mighty sharp watch on who
ONES in these days. SoOn's you're
eady I'll put you and your man down
t my end of the table and I'll look
fter We"
Ann laid aside her furs, but retained
er hat, and as she re-entered the room
lade dazzling appeal to those rough
elbows, who eyed her with sly side
lances.
Braide, already seated, rose to meet
er. eve have reached an outpost Of