Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-24
HESPER |
BY HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright. 1905. by Hdnastn Garland II
CONTINUED From Page Nine3
Copyright. 1905. BY Haman Garland

his new raid he became greatly ex
| cited
There's going TO be battle" he said
to Ann. I'm going"
mo, no. she pleaded.
He turned upon her with a resentfu
stamp of his heel. 81 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" be began rcGtctively;
you can stay with Mrs. Kelly till we
build wing for you. She's nice wo.
man and lives in the cunHingest little
log cabin. That settles it. We will go
right away, today
Ann was at u loss. but did not show
1t. IF you are determined to go, then
there is no use in waiting. Let us start
at once!'
While Mrs. Barnett suggested what
to wear Don ordered a carriage to take
Ann and himself to the train, and Louis
saddled his horse for his return trip up
the stage road. I'll 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 filed 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 strike" said
he. ignoring their evident desire to be
introduced to Ann.
"Oh. it's a strike all right. Your man
Mackay wasn't much hurt, was hep
Not badly
HE was little too previous. / hope
the sheriff won't try to do anything
more about 1t. The boys up at Sky
are little sharp set about that bust
ness. Amt goin' up there yourself. are
YEP
YES; I've always been or good terms
with my men. / think l can help to
arrange some sort of compromise
The two miners loolked at each other.
At length the older of them said in q
tone that meant a good deal to ears ac-
customed to western infections: We'll
1 reckon the whole thing LAS been OK
aggerated. My claim is just below
Bozle, and SO, of course, l don't know
much moro about Sky than YOU do.
Still wouldn't advise your going in mt
this time"
At Grand View couple of stages
met them, and as Ann waited on the
platform for Don to secure n carriage
she observed that on the seat of each
of the coaches two guards sat. negli-
gently nursing rifles which glittered in
the sunlight Soon the whips began to
crack, and the coaches rolled away one
by one, leaving Barnett to follow in a
road wagon which he had hired for
their own especial use.
The sun was sinking to midafter-
noon, and Mogalyon on the left was in
full glory of ermine and saffron. The
air was keen and crisp. the sky cloud
less. and the road, except for an occa-
sional mudhole, was very good. Bar
nett remarked, 1--WE ought to pull into
Bozle before dark ON these roads,
Night came abruptly. A thin gray
scum rose swiftly on the western sky
and suddenly grayed the brightness of
the sun. The world grew instantly
stern and cold. The road. after climb
ing ridge, descended into q gorge
with frs on either size, and when they
came out upon the fat meadow to the
of Mogalyon only the lights
Of Skytown could be seen.
At the moment that Don was point.
ing out the lights two horsemeh APP
peared In front and In the middle of
the road.
'Halt!' cried clear voice.
The driver pulled his tired horses to
q stand so energetically that his hands
rose above his head.
as Donnelly Barnett with you?"
asked one of the men as he rode
nearer
I'm Barnett. What do you want OF
me?" asked Don coolly.
Not a thing" answered TIE horse
man. That's just 1t. We have no use
for you, and I've been watching TO |
meet you and say that the boys want |
vou to continue your quiet, uneventful
life at the Springs"
who are your
We're n couple of Skytown vedettes |
Who Is the Lady,"
THAT doesn't concern you Go on.
lriver"
The driver took up the reins, but The
rofce of the vedette grew sterner,
Stay where you are!' Then. turning
o Barnett: I'm your best friend. Don
RELY. The boys understand that you
Ire backing Mackay In his plans. and
t isn't safe for you to enter the camp.
advise you to turn around right here
md go back"
Ann spoke up: please let us 60 on.
fr. Barnett is taking me in to meet
ny brother, and l am cold and hun
ry."
There was something thrilling in the
aim clear sweetness of her voice and