\PT ‘ l'* (’i)N’TI Nl ED
., „ fl,saver«, the men ofTenrn
„ L> and In their little mor
! the ore and In tiny porta
< cited for many a star
I,.- aftiiite button« of «hininu
I The gold wn« the** and at
L the most
I the llitlo" Iwtr»!! in earnest
Lj; ws bonten
bec.ten smooth by
...,
It becuno
it
l>ec-ime •
a stage
s
L great railroad sent survey
*•„./,tn each of the deep nnl
L can von« In the nttemnt to
L,, -nighty camp whose fame
L-uning to shine throughout
fid. The beaut.: J grassy bills
Ltcbi’d ".id cu. tijus of red
| paths appeu. i le . .itig from
to burrow 1-ke runways lu a
k nrairie dogs.
L.u street of Bozie was 10,000
Le the sea. but at last, on the
[pine mountain, a vein of ore
L *;_’.< • * t , the ton was dlscov-
L.l another town arose—full 11,-
L above sea leva.-the highest
i. all America, and this became
celebrated above all others
L. called 8 ■.■ town.
L end Skytown dominated the
Lap and gave name to it. B >•
L..
>unt n. Pin Gulch, HoS-
I l vere sub irdluate In fan» aa
Lire topographically. and the
[
gion as the Skj -
L.:,.:.g 1 ■ ■ -tr.’ t.
days the barroom of the
j 1!.,;. .*• in Doze was the cell-
of the w hole camp.
k1 ik exchange . .-veiling
with l*:i-:-
I . fr i l eaver, Kansas City,
I Salt Lake City, San I’rancis-
I I.\, iv York Every great news-
I Lad its representative there,
I Ll indefatigable, seeking the
I r r« of strikes and sales.
I H’ time when Raymond entered
i .- the busiest, most vital
I -jui* ways the most pictur-
hilling district in the world. It
I l
LCght ns a poor mail's
I fci territory was being open-
■
E.n a evening brought
■
' s. ores of them,
lirrets of Bozie were graceless
^--i.ss. but Valley Springs was
it uf t *ees and growing vines,
t-aof tiie peak were tents, slab
Like. .. of aspen pules, and
Ini » j . while splendid stone pal-
M already appeared in the val-
E every comfort and nearly ev-
Ury vf the east was obtainable.
winuioa.
I'-'j was the cupola of Sky
I It i.’ •. ed the whole field,
I'-l only by the glittering crest
Lilyi’U. '.liieh rose nearly 4.0UO
ig’-er into the thin and tleckless
I ■■ ni.il II
in and Indian
hud Eureka and a half dozen
tillages l.iv below.
h i» th.- town, the camp, toward
Haymond had been gazing In
I and irr* solution for two years
I which lie directed his steps as
I* he was able to walk with
M■*. I -
I flaw vigor.
« week be did nothing but stroll
It? i.i-l down the streets of Bo-
I Wring bls surroundings, llsten-
I I all that was said and asking
I p-K questions of every man who
II ta know anything of mining
I k The altitude at first troubled
I tatly, but be ute well and slept
| bnd day by day his strength and
T’”' '' r. ex landed within li'-n.
d I -.• in t > V: iiitely seek a place
I f1 ’" (>. i - bands at tab r.
t.it a. fie .at t lasting hi s shins
1 '' ■* big tire In the hotel lie be-
Binienseiy Interested lit the g and
fcl 1-r -j- .i’t.ens and easy, u istu 1-
“ of a middle aged miner who
"■'1| ':H
i. t i the fire replying
• questions of a young ro-
li. id was bent nbsorbedly
- and pencil. The
i I '' **tbtied every requisite of a
f ....
massive head, cov-
Fta grizzled hair; his handsome,
[’■ i'eateu. smiling fHce; bis worn
red with mud; bis
I r n 'it and his broad hat,
' «« yet unfailing grace,
i
the most picturesque
>
and when some one
■ ■ back and called
i
' Itaymond realized,
,
" arming of the heart,
r . ’
-' "l“>n Ro.-ky Moun-
kn.-w the range« of the
i
'
as the lines on the
I f11 ’ hand
'r. he touched the
’« Kai ?•*•• 'h'>ul<ler-
"Take out a lease.” answered Kelly
promptly.
“Do yon know of a promising prop
erty tr. lense?”
“I do.’
“Will you show it to me?”
“I will.”
Raymond was amused by the crisp
succinctness of these replies. It was
plain that the prospector was s
him up, and favorably.
Kelly indicated a chair, “Sit down,
man; ye look like a citizen with a
lung faded. Where are ye from?"
"I’m a rancher from the plains.”
“And ye want to mine?”
"Yes.”
“It’s ninety-nine chances to one ye
lose y’r wad.”
“I know it.”
“Have ye wife?”
“I have not."
“Any one dependin’ on ye?”
“No one.”
Kelly relaxed, and his eyes began to
gleam frlendllly. “Very well, then, I
consent to rob ye. I’m the owner of
one mine Into which I’ve put me last
dollar, but I know a dandy proposition
which I’d like to display. I’ll take ye
with me ove the hills when ye’re a lit
tle better acquainted with me. and
when ye’ve : *en the mine we’ll talk the
terms of partnership. The bankers all
know me. and the faro dealers likewise,
the more shame to me." A smile of sin
gular charm curved his handsome lips.
"But never mind that. Matt Kelly uev-
er tuck advantage* of any man. aud
that, I think, ye’ll find me neighbors
agreed upon. I’ll not say I like the
looks of ye—that would sound like
blarney—tl:e truth bein’ I’m seekin’ a
partner, but in a day or two I’ll lay rae
scheme before ye.”
Putting aside business, they talked of
their personal affair ;. !'
ard-
edly, Kelly with entire freedom and
some humor. Kelly was married and
had two little bo; *. ' ■ ’.-.!. . L? was
now living,
Since Nora came." he
said, with ten ’
"I drink no
more, but gambling 1. a me blood. I
man had either struck ore or hoi<?5 to
do so at any moment.
Here and there on the slope a tall
and shaj-eless shaft bouse rose, with
heaps of orange and blue gray refuse
rock close tieside ft. The whole camp
was as yet disorganized, formless ami
debatable. Not one in a hundred of the
mini's was a paying property; all the
others were mere prospects.
As they left Baldy and turned to
climb Fine mountain the dwellings
thickened. They were nearly all built
of the smooth, straight trunks of the
aspen, but nearer the summit were of
fir, and a tew of them sto „1 In pictur
esque nooks amid the rocks. Toward
one of these, more homelike than the
others, Kelly direct««! Lis horse, aud
as lie neared the dour a couple of lusty,
yellow hain*d boys of six or seven
years of age came bounding out to
meet him.
Mrs. Kelly was unexpectedly lady
like. small and very pretty, with a skin
that no wind could tan. and her great,
wistful, pathetic eyes appealed to Ray
mond with Instant p over. She greeted
him cordially, and. while Kelly took
the horses to th«* corral, he entered at
her Invitation. Her voice was as
charming as her pale face and hair of
burnished gold, and the young fellow
looked upon her In surprise.
"You don't l<xik very well, sir,” Mrs.
Kelly said to Raymond.
“I'm not very well, but I'm going to
tear up the sod Just the same. Your
tmsliand is to show me bow."
“Matt can find gold easy enough, but
he can’t keep it."
“I’ve confessed as much, Nora, me
girl, and If Raymond can help me on
that score 1’11 put him In the way of
mnkln’ his pile. Can ye walk a few
roils? If so. I'll show ye the mine aud
the chance.”
"Certainly I'm far from being a
‘one lunger’ yet.”
The two men walked round the little
grove of firs to the west and came up
on some ibiu busy with a very small
upright engine hoisting ore from a
shaft.
“Here." said Kelly. “Is when* w«* tap
‘the river of life.' This is my own
mine, but the wan I advise ye to take
Is that Just beyond. 1 have au offer
for mi1 o«v:i prospect, but 1 -hall not
take it. If ye arc ag eenhle. we'll
lea e the Last Dollar together and
v irk It to the limit, for 1'ta satisfied
It - vein is the same us me own, which
"ill keep; but if 1 strike ore. Currau,
who owns the I.ust Dollar, will Jump
bls price to the moon. Our lay i< to
bond and lease Ills mine, m ive my taa-
chinery over to Ills old shaft and work
like mad to open up ore to buy in the
property. Ye see. no one has touched
pay or«* lu this e.uarter. and Currau Is
Bnxlons to sell. He offers it at $15,000.
I believe we can open a vein that'll
pay fer it lu less than six months.
Will ye g i in with me?"
“I will.”
As their herd’s met the«, hearts
warmed to each other Kelly removed
his hat ami was almost solemn as be
said slowly; “This makes u.« both.
Now let's go eat.”
The Kelly home was as suited to Its
surrounding« as a Swiss chalet. It
hail the dirt roof, th«* widely project
ing eaves and the southern por h of n
mountain cabin, and its latch-iring
and battened door were In k«*eping;
only the windows, with their mnclilue
made frames, were out of key. There
were two small bedrooms, it living
room, which served al -o for dii.ln.t
room, aud a tiny kitchen, and yet it
produced on Raymond'« mind the
most charming eaeet of unhesitating
hospitality and homeliness. This was
due as much to the charm of Mrs. Kel
ly's manner as to the deep voiced, cor-
dlal invitation of the host himself.
There was no ]o« k on their door nml
no bar 11 their warm hearts.
But Raytn >n 1 saw wliat Matt’s lov
ing eyes could n it discern—N ira was
overworked and losing heart. In spite
of her ready smile and cordial second
ing of her husband's Invitation, “Ye
mi st make your home with us." sin*
was not strong enough to take on this
Raymond'» blood lea ped uith thejoyu) It.
extra care, and he resolved to stay In
play no more with cards or dice, but Bozie till be could build a cabin fur
with lodes and shafts. I’m always tak himself.
ing on new chances. I load meself up
with ’good things' till me back is broke
CHAPTER X.
and me bands fall empty."
ATE In the afternoon, after they
There was something winning in the
had talked long at the mouth of
humorous glance of bis big. gray eyes,
the mine. Kelly aud Raymond
and Raymond sat with him long. Hi«
A left 1
vast exi>erience, bis in 1 imltahle g * »1 along the ridge toward Skytown,
nature, b»« physical pride, all appealed which was built where the ground r >se
to Ute rancher with such power that he from a pine clad plateau to a rocky
left him with a distinct exaltation. point overlooking the valley to the
"Here is the man to help me make nty north. It bad but one busin«*ss street,
fortune, and 1 can be guide to him." which repeateil in unpainted lumber
he added, and be went to sleep that al) the shoddy architecture of a prairie
night with greater confidence In bls town, whose flaming battlements pre
future than at any time since taking tend to a dignity which they do not
Barnett’s ranch. He set his teeth bard fulfill.
In the determination to win. ar.d though
The chief business of th»* street was
he had put Ann quite out of his plans gambling. Next In order sbxxl rum
for the future, she remained an Inspira selling. with assaying a «lose thinl.
tion and a lure.
The street was swarming, as usual, but
Ills feeling of confidence In Kelly the talk was direeted for the moment
was deepened by bls ride with him to one t<4>ic. A convention of miners
next day.
had been called to meet In the Golden
Turning from the gulch road. Kelly Horn saloon, aud several who knew
“ led
Are the
y° way
a
up the side of Pine moun Kelly called out. "Hello, Matt; were
along
k 1 ■•"■ li « keen gray tain.
eyes
on a trail which braided Use f going to make you president of the
upon a grassy slope like a
union.”
"> «n>, sir. What can
brown ribbon The air was k^tbe
Kelly smiled as If all this were a
sky a fleckless blue hemisphere. Ray Joke and Introduced hit friend and
d
|
‘
' • good natured mond’s blood leaped with the Joy of it partner Ravmond shook hands with
i
ami with a sense that bls feet were set each man heartily, well knowing that
I I -
¡*u b»a<i Into his ls«cket
at
last on the r m l to fortune
If he were to remain In the camp It
i l®«ch i* it?”
All about bfm the miners were climb would be well to be on friendly terms
*
-
"bo I look like
ing each bl« special way. «winging
with alk Following the lead of others,
tin bucket Which «jiarkled like <
they were soon welged Into a throng
f J* llk* * "lek man,” replied
the morning sun. Great w"’"*
which filled the largest saloon of the
P*““! him. “And a bun- with ore rolled creaking on their d* wn
street, a huge gambl.ng establishment
ward course, while other, of »hetrklmi. called the Golden Horn, of which Mar
I t '»7 . ^’Y^ond smilingly re- plied high with lumber and
vin Hanley, a celebrated gambler, was
Lrr. .
cate« the supper
proprietor.
ta
Fn> fairly com-
For the flrwt time since the opening
STLX, t-nebing in
Eorti v .*tat to *»k rour *d-
of the Golden Hon»’» door gambling
F
»r.Ì***
If you and toiling at windlass"« wb.*e Join
was suspended and th* machines of
[ *.. ® lBpf *nd wanted to yri-I out resoundingly «•
chance set aside
The proprietor. ■
what would you ore boxes row The
•ala man with cioas cllpp«d y«UpF
L
i
forth buoy*-' tctlv'.ty
*** •**
hair, a man who looked like a CatiFnc
priest, mountid a box at one cud of
the room aud called th«* house to order.
"You know the purposes of this meet
ing." lie said. "Now, who will you
hav«* for chairman?"
"Kelly! Kelly!" cried a dozen mon.
"Munro!" shouted those farther up
the hall.
“Moved aud aecondej that Munro lie
chairman." said the smooth faceil man.
"All who fax or -ay ‘Aye!’ ’’ A -1 ut of
many mingled voi.-cs answered. "<>p
posed, 'No.’" only an <•bv. *us i. iuorl-
ty voted * No." "Munro is ekvted.
Jack, get up here!"
As th«* new chairman’s lu* 1 rose
above tlie throug Raymond experieuc
ed a shock "1 know that man." he
said under his breath. Munro was a
clean shaven, boyish fellow, with black
hair pushed back from liis face. 11«*
was young an I handsom«* and beg in
speaking in a cl«*ar, musical and most
persuasive voice. It was plain he was
ou g*Ksl terms with his audience uud
quite certain of himself.
"1 don't know why 1 should Is* mad«
chairman of this meeting." In* -T l aft
er some local allusions, "unle-s it be to
open the way for the real speaker and
man of the hour—the man who lias a
message for you—Tom Larned of Dead
Pine."
While the crowd applauded Larned
climbed to his place and began to
speak. II«* was a short man, with a
forward thrust of the chin His high
forehead was smooth and pale. Its
calm lines In vivid contrast with his
burning blue eyes. He ignor«*d all of
Munro’s Joking and thrust his way lu
to th«* mlddl«* of his contention.
"I hear some men say we don't need
a union here, but I tell you you do.
You’re going tin* way of all mining
camps. As soon as the claims are all
taken consolidations begin and wages
will be cut. A big mining camp must
In* run by union labor. The work bus
got to be done by men bred to tlie
mine, aud they must be organized. If
even tlie mule an«! the grub stain*
They are holed up five buudrvd or a
thousand f«*et underground, working
for a company, aud this company. 1
tell you. has no regard f**r its hands.
Their interests an* not those of the
udn«*r. You tuny blarney all you like,
but the miners must look out for their
owu Interests, Just as the employer
hires lawyers and agents to look after
his."
"Very true." repliisl Kelly calmly.
“I'm not objectin’ to that. Organize
and take care o' labor’s interests, but
don't ask tne, an employ«*r of lalmr.
to throw up me hat «hen you vote to
raise th«* wages of me live mem I'll
fight scandalous"—
“ill it. Kelly! You have him oti
three legs and goln’!" shout««! a wag.
and. amid the laughter that followeil.
Kelly leaped down and made for tin*
door.
When Raymond overtook him again
lie was in talk with a lean young fol
low with large, bright eyes, who had
the ton«* of an old and bitterly disap
point««! man.
Kelly intnsluceil him. ‘‘Rob, shake
hands with Mr. Dolan, c irrespond«*nt
of ti e X a.ley Springs News. Jim, tills
1.« my new partner."
Dolan, as he clasped hands, remark-
e«l, "You've met up with a go»nl man,
a man that won't do ye, and there
aren't many like him In this town."
Only long after did It conn* to Ray
mond's mind that Kelly had been giv
ing Dolan a note eon«*erulng their
plans and that his whereabouts would
be at once made known to Valley
Springs and to Louis.
"Who is this man Munro?" asked
Raymond as they left the reporter und
started for home.
“lie's a ilevll-may-car«* chap from
R«*d t’liff. He pretends to bi* a miner
»ml Is a partner with an old fellow on
the north side o' tin* hill, but he's
workin’ for Hanley lookout for the
roulette wheel. The boys all think a
heap of him. They say he always give«
'em a square deal.”
they’re not, they'll work for nothing
This camp is about to decline’’—
“No! No!" sliout<*d a dozen mon.
Tin* speaker held up a baud. "Walt
a moment! I menu to say that this
swarm of easy going tramps scratch
ing the surface looking for a mine "111
begin to melt away. It is already melt
lug away. These men on horseback,
these grub stakers. these burro punch
ers, will not dig gold for other men.”
("You bet they won’t!" shouted a big
lunged fellow.] "’1 lie real miners have
got to get underground and stay there!
You understand? Stay there! Aud
they will want somebody ou top to
look after their interests. They’ll want
a union if you don't; but, 1 tell you.
ycu short term miners will want a
Luiou before February is out."
In such wise he argued, and even
Kelly admitted «the truth of what he
said. Others sp ike. grizzled old fel
lows from other districts, mon who had
given up all hope of disc ***.ng a lea«!
for themselves; men with families to
feed and educate, who had fallen to
contentment with a g iod wage and a
steady Job.
But in some of th«*
speeches a note of bitterness toward
Valley Springs made itself beard. Sky
town had begun to bate the valley as
the home of those who lived on the la
bor of others, and some of those in tin*
valley, as Raymond well knew, ex-'
pre-sisl their contempt of those wh i
dwelt in the Sky by calling them “re I
necks." In allusion to tlielr tanned or
drink inflamed faces. 1‘oiiticaiiy the
two town« were alrea 'y a« wl.le npart
ns th" poles, and references to this di
vision were numerous during the even
ing. The county was divhled ugaiust
itself and hopelessly Imbittereil. and
Boz!«* was eager to be free from the
valley.
Ke!!y. weary of the wrangle, touche.1
Raymond on tin* arm and turned to
ward the door. A big miner, delecting
this movement, shouted out, “Here’s
Kelly taking a sneak!"
Instantly Kelly was seized, a couple
of brawny fellow« lifted film to t’.ie b r.
and so. towering over them nil. tlie b!g
prospector to >k off bls bat and. with
smll tig <*on po-iire. snhl: “Boys. I wish
ye well. I make no objection to the
plan«, but why «li mid I, an old burro
puncher, bother me head about a un
ion? No one 1« cuttln' my wages. No
one is shortenin' my hours of labor.
Beside«”—and here be broke Into a
broad smile—‘Tin an employer of labor
meself.”
•T>own wfd 'Im!” shouted Munro.
“To what extent?" asked another.
“To the whole of five men not count
in' meself,” answered Kelly with a ro
guish grin. "And I'm a har-r-rd mas
ter.”
A roar of laughter responded to his
Jest.
“Iiown with tlie oppressor of labor!”
shouted Munro. "Off with ’»head!”
Kelly playfully struck nt him with
his hat am! then became serious.
“Now, boys, let me tell you. I hon
estly don't think yon need a union.
The landscape is wide up here; there's
a chance for every man In the hills.
I believe In tlie big. free land When
any man tries to corner me. I take me
mule and strike out Into the wild coun
try. I have no fear of the Re«! Star
Mining company nor any other, and
you needn't. I do not oppooe the un
Ion. Mind what I’m sayin’. It'» well
enough for those who believe In it
and na«le It, but lave me out of it.
The Kelly« will take care of thern-
aafvea.**
lurried was on the box before Kelly
bad time to get down and, leveling bls
finger at him, cried out sharply:
“That's all well and g**od for you.
Matt Kelly, a skilled prospector, a
man with a paying mln$ already, but
bow about these men who have no
skill tn finding gold, who are working
for money to start tbemaelves a home?
How aliout tboee who are hoping to
bring their families here aud clothe
and educate them? They are nvt so
toed of all outdoor«. They haven't .
"Does he?”
"I think so. I never heard to the con
trary."
"Laru«*d was right about the union,"
said Raymond. "The big owners in
the Springs are sending east for their
miner». They know that men like you
and me will not do their deep work for
them. He's right, too. In saying these
cowboys and farm hands from tin*
states won't make miners. They don't
Intend to work underground. We'll
find ourselves left short some morning
If we depcml ou these fellows, who can
hit the trull at ten minutes' notice."
"Sure thing.” said Kelly. “This g. t-
tin' under th«* crust o’ th«* earth and
livin' there is unholy busmess not for
free tm u like ourselves. It's ;..l g >ln’
to be doue by the Roo.sblaus und the
dag.ies."
In «Hence the two men looktsl abroad
over th«* valley toward the dim Hue of
peaks faintly lit by the big silver
bright moon.
A »euieuce from Richter came Into
Raymond's mind, "In tin* presence of
beauty, beneath the stars, men think
of love," ami bis heart uched with a
sense of loss.
I neon a .ously. In spite of Ills at
tempt to put himself away fr >m her
pres» nee, Ann had come to domlnute
bls musing hour«. At th night of her
lie grew resolute aud hopeful aud,
reaching forth a powerful hand, grap
pled the air us if It were th«* throat of
a liith *r * Invincible opponent and
said, "I will win!" He uckii iwledged
that wealth had p iwer to aid him. "So
long ns I am unknown and pur and
in disgrace she can only consider me
what I am—a failure. Money is a
measure of value, mid wealth I must
have first; then leisure und the higher
life.”
t have f nd Rot* W**’r» all O. K.
Don't worry.
LOUIB.
A« he han*'.e*l It ov«r he said gayly,
ill that do?"
“That's s:iti«f i* t >ry. Now rush it.”
As they walked out Raymond stern
ly askisl: "Waut to stay with tne, do
you? Well, everybody works where I
live. We don't allow Idlers If you
bad something to do you’d k«*ep out
o’ mischief."
I.ou.s twisted hl« small right arm.
"I’m ready for anything."
"Got your outfit your whole kit?"
"I’v. got om* camera and my draw
ing materials "
Ray mom! packed his hand hags on
the liorN«*, anil together they set out up
the trail. At first the lad exulted and
crietl out like a bln«* Jny, but his
breathing grew labored as they roae,
aud nt last Raymond turued. "Now.
see here. Louis, this air is pretty thin
till a fellow gets used to It; you'd bet
ter mint it. You'll enjoy the scenery
better.”
With n feeling that be was succumb
ing to an unmanly woakn«*ss, l.ouls
clumbered to th«* horse's Link and
perched among ids pos-esslons, while
Itaymond, striding ahead, list the way
tip and up till the whole world seemed
coming Into view. "Oh. this Is tine!
Jupiter, this 1« th«* place for me!”
Hi* was uufelgm*dly delighted with
everything with tin* new shacks, with
(he slab tables and the plank eha «
und with the liberal and smoking d .
her which Mrs. Kelly provided I ,t
lie drew a hisilng breath of admi i
tion over tin* grand figure of old Mi
thew Kelly. "Ge«>, but you're a wc
der! 1 must do you."
Kelly was puzzi««! ami a llttl«* cm
barrassed by th;« out-poken admira
tion and regard«*»! Louis with delinlto
disfavor till la* pr* mted him with a
pencil drawing of th«* Imls playing ot»
th«* doorstep, aud tlien fie said: "The
Lurtl God bus m i le a power o’ people
that the Kellys have nit seen. This is
wan of them Now, Isn’t that n won
der? He put tlie whole tiling together
In five minute«." Th«*, after he ae-
cepted the b iy for the cunning that lay
in his fingers.
Raymond wrote that night to Ann ns
formally as the riot In his brain would
permit:
I planned to take m? self out of your
life ns comr*let«*ly as If 1 were dead, but
Diuls ivould not bav«* It so. Wh* n t
met him on th** hill today nml he told me
(HA ITER XI.
how tang !*•■ had bs a fro» liMta i As*
N tin* second morning after tils tetmlneil to hustle him back to the
Springs, but he nsk«<l to stay a day or
meeting with Dolan. Ray two. and here h** Is. Will you trust him
mond, riding down th«* trail with me? He will tire of It tiere by and
toward Bozie, discovered a by »ml go t*ack to you of bls own areoril.
he la mail over the life and the
■mall figure tolling towurd him, Just
paus now
As
scenery.
for myeelf. 1 am a new man,
ing often to rest. "It can't in* leitil«," with new aspirations. They may not
he said, "and y< t there's Home Inng fa t»**m very high to you. for I am striving
miliar in that walk. It Is Louis, uno now to acquire gold, but that Is only a
means to an end. Tl:* re ts something else
he's ou my trqil!”
In the world for me to do. 1 don't know
When th«* boy. lifting hi« tlrisl head, what It Is to be- perhaps my care of this
recognize«! the rider be uttered a tierce wonderful boy Is a part of It. At any
he Is here and not to be driven away
shout of Joy, buj he fulrly staggered rate,
without great rt*k to him and deep pain
with weakness.
to me. 8<>. unless you obj*«-t, I shall keep
Raymond slid from his horse uud put him. Our fife Is rough, but not contam
inating.
I wl.l see that no harm com«*« to
his artu about the reeling lud. "When
him.
did you come to camp?"
There Wil» nothing mor«* personal in
Louis leaned against bis big friend.
“(Jh. I've been here a week. I knew the letter than this, but Anu's heart
you were here somewhere, but I wartn««l to the writer unaccountably.
couldn't get track of you. Don was Ami yet the thought of Louis in a min-
over here yesterday, but I doilged liiui. lug camp troubled her. “1 ought to gt
aud he went back. I didn’t sign my aud fetch him away." she said to Ixm.
“No. no! Y'ou remain here, aud I
own name on the register.” Il«* grin
ned slyly. “See my boots. Aren't tli«*y will go over ami see the little »«-amp
anti bring him back if possible.”
right
Tlie next m iming Raytuonl put Into
Raymond Io >k<-d down at the t>oy’s
Mnall legs clothed with miner's laced action n measure lie bail formnlatisl
boots. ' You lielleve In dressing the during the ulgiit. He callisl Louis to
part, dou't you? You are a kldlet.” him. and tog* ther they ascended the
He laughtsl at tlie boy’s chapfallen "Lookout." as Kelly calle*! th«* ledge
look, for I-ouls detested lielng called a back of his cabin. "See here, lad. I've
boy, and add««!: "Well, what n iw? brought you up here to usk you a few
Ixx*s your slater know where you are?" questions," «ahi be.
I.'iuls lira*««! hlrueelf. “Fire away!”
“No.”
“As I understand It, y«m and—Ann
Raymond's whole expression change«!.
“Climb that horse," be said sternly. are alone In the world—I mean you are
“You’re going back to town, aud you’re closer to «-itch other than to nny one
going to send her n telegram ut once." els«*—«be-« your liest friend You’ve
As b«- Its! the borne down the bill given fier u great «leal of anxiety, my
Rayrnoud comprehended something of lad, and that Isn't right. You must go
the anxiety the runaway bad brought straight back to tier and apologize an*!
to Ann and that be Indirectly was the ask her iwrinlsslon to come hack. If
cause <>f It. hot at the door «if the of «he consent», then I'll make a place for
flee be sal«! more gently; "Now, youn you here.”
"She won't consent. I'd have to run
ker h«q> off You're g *lng to send wort! away again, and I’d do It!” he a«ld<*<!
to the folks that you're with me «a-1 ■lefiantly.
safe.'*
Raymond, after a pause, «lowly ro-
"You're out going to drive me tuned: "Now, I want to make a com
away?”
pact with you. If you’ll go down ami
Raym«iod looked at bfm In »Uenr* •ee her, I will write a letter InterrsMIng
“N«g I'm going to put you to work.”
for you aud asking her to let you re
Ttu* buy's face threw off Its shadow turn."
“That's bully! Now I'm all right
Conttuued Next Week
Give me a pen.” H« wrote:
O