Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-11
HESPER
HAMLIN GARLAND
I'VE win ride, If you are not afrai

Is
Eve will ride. IL you are not afraid
Of our bronchos and steep trails. 1t
will be more comfortable than wag.
on. After you've rested an hour or two
I'll bring round tie horses"
Good morrow, fricnds!" A clear
voice made them all turn. Jack Munro,
booted and spurcd, stood in the door.
".And how is the lady of the silken
voice."
Kelly greeted him coldly. Hello,
Jack. Come in and eat"
much obliged, me lord, but I've al
ready eat. came round to see how
the lady stood her ride with me up the
hill"
Ann rose and faced him. Are you
the horseman who met usY'
"Thc very same, lady. don't often
hear voices like yours, and wanted to
see if the face and voice were of like
quality. They are" he added. with a
glance of uaabashed admiration. I'm
troduce me, Rob-
Raymond reluctantly complied. Miss
Rupert, this is Mr. Jack Munro"
Munro stepped forward and held out
n very handsome hand, and Ann could
not refuse to take it. He was smaller
| than Raymond and seemed hardly out
of his teens, as he stood there smiling
brightly, his barred head lightly poised
on shapely shoulders, and some magic
i'll his smile made Raymond and Kelly
seem for the moment cold and reserv-
| cd. His assurance, his frankness,
amused her.
Il came to tell the lady that no harm
befell Colonel Barnett, her escort He
was driven back to Grand View early
this morning and is at home ere this"
"ThanE you for your good cheer"
| said Ann. II was not so sure Of your
kindly intentions last night
He smiled again, and his white teeth
shone. II must have seemed a bandit.
Brock might have made you more trou-
1 Bile, and would have missed the pleas.
ure of being your guide and protector"
Kelly growled out, "Kape your muir
derin' sca.awugs as far from this cabin
as We can"
81 will see that you are not dis
| turbcd."
You speak as one having authority
remarked Ann.
Il am captain of the vedettes," he re-
piled.
| what are they?"
"a company of mounted police which
l have organized to keep order here in
the camp. The lockout leaves many
men idle, and the local authorities need
help to maintain peace and quiet. My
force represents the union and its de-
sire 10 prevent violence in the camp
You are quite safe here under our pro.
tection.'
you are very kind" replied Ann
"But aren't you one of those for whom
the sheriff comcs:"
Munro laughed a silent, boyish laugh
II believe l am included in his list of
notables, but assure you the honor Is
4 quite undcserved.'
"'Tis true he kicked Maclay dow
the hill and put the mouth of his gun
to his car" said Kelly, but that's &
trife not worth mentioning"
Munro winked. "A mere practical
joke"
With the punctllious grace of a dane
ing master he bowed himself out
swung to his saddle and galloped away
when shall we start on our trip?'
asked Ann, turning to Raymond.
II will bring the horses round yer.
soon." AS they stepped outside h
turned to Kelly and asked in Low
voice, "Do you see any objection t
this trip to BoZlc?"
"Divil bit. The sheriff will fin,
Jack and his mon waitin' for him o.
the road He'll get no further thai
Sage Hen fiat this night. I'm goin' t
ride down the hill meself just to know
what's go!il' on. Go ahead, lad; onl
don't loiter." The big fellow smiled
Get back before sunset. whatever y
do"
Raymond resented Nlunro's call an
forced Introduction to Ann more deer
~ than lie cared to admit even t
Kelly. 1t hurt lin to think that Ann
hand had lain within the clasp of
man to whom women had ever bee
merely Il lower order Of life. to be use
as p!aythlngS.
and yet l cannot say anything I
her," Raymond said to himself.
emit tell ker what his life is. daI
not even hint nc it. Bat can stop Ii
coming" end his lips straightene
grimly-"and that will dor