Newspaper Page Text
■n
HESPER
3) ...by... (r
HAMLIN GARLAND
COPYRIGHT. 1005. DY HAMLIN GARLAND
CHAPTER XI.
O N the second morning after Ms
meeting with Dolan, Ray
mond, riding down the trail
toward Botle, dlscorered a
small figure tolling toward him, paus
ing often to rest. "It can’t be Louis,"
be said, "and yet there's something fa
miliar In that walk. It Is Louis, and
he's on my trail!”
When the boy, lifting bis tired bead,
recognised the ride/ be uttered a fierce
shout of joy, but be fairly staggered
with weakness.
Raymond slid from his horse and put
bis arm about the reeling lid. "When
did you come to camp?”
Louis leaned against his big friend.
"Ob, I're been here a week. I knew
you were here somewhere, but I
couldn't get track of you. Don was
over here yesterday, but I dodged blm,
and be went back. I didn't sign my
own name on the register.” lie grin
ned slyly. "See my boots. Areu't they
right?”
Raymond looked down at the boy's
small legs clothed with miner's laced
boots. “You believe In dressing the
part, don't you? You are a Uidlot.”
He laughed at the boy’s chapfallen
look, for Louis detested being called a
boy, and added: "Well, what now?
Docs your sister know where you are?”
"No."
Raymond's whole expression changed.
"Climb that hprse,” be suld sternly.
“You’re going back to tu>vu, nnd you're
going to send her a telegram at onco.”
As bo led the horse down the hill
Raymond comprehended something of
the anxiety the runaway bud brought
to Ann and that ho Indirectly was the
cause of it, but at the dour of the of
fice ho said more gently: “Now. yottri-
ker, hop oft. You re going to scud word
to the folks that you're with me and
safe.”
“You'ro not going to drive me
nwayl”
Raymond looked at him lu silence.
“No. I’m going to put yon to work.”
The boy’s fnce throw off Its shadow.
“That’s bully! Now I’m all right.
Give mo a pen.” Ho wrote:
I have found Rob. Wo'ro all 0. K.
Don't worry. LOUIS.
As ho handed It over ho said gayly,
"Will jfent do?"
C int’s satisfactory. Now rush it"
they walked ont Raymond stern
ly asked: “Wont to stay with me, do
you? Well, everybody works whero I
live. We don't allow idlers. If yon
had something to do yon’d keep ont
o’ mischief.”
Louis twisted Ms small right arm,
"I'm ready for anything."
“Got your outfit—your whole kit?”
"I’ve got one camera and my draw
ing materials.”
Raymond packed bis band bags on
the horse, and together they set out up
the troll. At first the lad exulted and
cried ont like a blue jay, but bis
breathing grew labored as they rose,
and at last Raymond turned. “Now,
see here. Louts, this air Is pretty thin
till a fellow gets used to it; you'd bet
ter mount Y’ou'll enjoy the scenery
better.”
.With a feeling that he wa» succumb
ing to nn unmanly weakness, Louis
clambered to the horse's back and
perched among his possessions, while
Raymond, striding ahead, led the way
up und tip till the whole world seemed
coming Into view. "Oh. this Is line!
Jupiter, this is the place for me!”
He was unfelguedly, delighted with
everything—with the new shacks, with
the slab tables nnd the plank chairs
and W)th the liberal and smoking din-
u.v which Mrs. Kelly provided—but
he drew a hissing breath of ndmlra-
tion over the grand figure of old Mat,
thew Kelly. “Gee, but you're a won-
■lerl I must do you."
Kelly was puzzled nnd u little em
barrassed by 'this outspoken admira
tion nnd regarded Louis with definite
disfavor till ho presented him with a
pencil drawing of the lads playing on
the doorstep, anil then lie said: “The
Lord God has made u power o’ people
that the Kellys have not seen. Tills is
wan of them. Now, Isn't that a won
der? lie put the whole thing together
In five minutes.” Thereafter, he ac
cepted the hoy for the eunulng that lay
In his fingers.
Raymond wrote that night to Ann ns
formally as the riot In his bralu would
permit:
I planned to take royselt out of your
life ns completely ns If 1 were dead, but
Louis would not have It so. When I
met him nn tho hill today nnd ho told me
how long ho had boon from home, X do'-
t.rmlnod to hustle him back to the
: Springs, blit he asked to stay a day Or:
I two. and here he Is. Wilt you trust him ,
with me? He will tire of It here by apd
I by and go back to you of his own accord.
! Just now ho Is mad over the life and tho
scenery. As for myself, I am a new man."
with new aspirations. They may not
seem very high to you. for I am striving
now to acquire gold, but that Is only a
means to an end. There Is something else
In the world for me to do. I don't know
what It Is to be—perhaps my care of this
wonderful boy Is a part of it. At any
rate, he Is here and not to be driven away
without great risk to him and' deep pain
to me. So, unless you object, I shall keep
him. Our life Is rough, but not contam
inating. I will see that no harm comes to
him. . *.
There was nothing more personal In
the letter than this, but Ann's heart
warmed to the writer unaccountably.
And yet. the thought of Louis in a min
ing camp troubled her. “I ought to go
and fetch him away,” she said to Don.
“No, no! You remain here, and I
will go over and see the little scamp
and bring blm back If possible.”
The next morning Raymond pat into
action a measure be bad formulated
daring the night. He called Louis to
Mm, nnd together they ascended the
“Lookout," ns Kelly called the ledge
back of Ms cabin. “See here, lad, I've
brought you up here to ask you a few
questions," said lie.
Ixiuls braced himself. “Fire away!"
"As I understand It, you -and—Ann
are alone In the world—I mean yon are
closer to each other than to any one
else—she's your best friend. You've
given her a great deni of anxiety, my
lad, und that isn't right. You must go
straight back to her and npaloglze and
ask ber permission to come back. If
sbe consents, then I’ll make a place for
you here.”
“Shi? won’t consent. I’d have to run
away again, and I'd do It!'” he added
defiantly.
Raymond, after a puuse,_Blowly re
sumed: “Now, I want, to make a com
pact with yon. If you’ll go down nnd
see her, I will write a letter Interceding
for you nnd asking her to let you re-
turn."
The lad's face was suddenly Illumi
nated. lie threw out his small jialra.
•‘I’ll do It!” he cried ont. apd his tone
carried conviction.
Raymond continued: “You like me,
and I like you. Yon can’t live in the
Springs, and your sister can't .live
here. So It seems that I must be your
big brother nnd look after you. And.
hark ye, you must mind Whitt I say,
or I'll take u birch to you.”
This threat seemed not to appall the
boy. "Can I work la tho mine?”
“No; you can't work In thCmlue, but
I’ll find something on top for you to
do. Yon must take care of those luugs
of yours for awhile. But come, let’s
see If wo eau’t catch the stage.”
“Oh, let me stny till tomorrow!"
pleaded the hoy. “I dou’t want to go
today. It’s too beautiful to miss.”
Raymond reflected a moment. “Very
well, hut you’ll want that stage ride.
It’s one of the finest roh'ds hi the
mountains. You rattle down the can
yon tomorrow, sure TTilngi "Remember
that!"
Together they went down toward the
mine, where a group of men were
building a log cabin. “Here Is where
we are to live, provided your sister
consents.”
Barnett came riding up the hill about
sundown and Immediately at sight of
Louis began a Jocose tirade. “You
scamp! Yon young flyaway} A nice
Interlude you’ve given us. Ann hadn’t
slept a wink for a week till jshe got
your message yesterday. How long
have you been here?"
Raymond hastened to say, “I Induced
blm to wire as soon as be turned np.”
“Had yon lieen here all the time, yon
young rattlepate?"
Louis was not afraid of Barnett
“Yes;- I was down there looking for
Rob.” He pointed toward the town of
Bozle.
"Well, I’m to bring you borne—In
stantly!”
Louis took shelter behind Raymond.
"No, you don’t. Tell blm, Rob.”
Raymond winked at Barnett. “He’s
going tomorrow on a promise to me.
Don. I’ve made a bargain wltb blm.
He can tell yon about It on the way.
Moreover, be Is going by stage. He’s
on bonor.”
■When they were alone Barnett said:
"The most unaccountable of all things
Is the human heart That boy Is crazy
about you. By the way, bow’a the
lung?”
“Almost ns good as ever.”
“Your constitution Is a wonder. And
the mining deal?”
"Very promising.”
In the talk that followed Raymond
learned for the first time of the pro
posed consolidation of the Red Star
with two or three other heavy proper
ties, and they fell into a discussion of
the camp. *
“If I had iny way,” said Barnett,
“I'd hnve this meddling Idiot Lamed
thrown out. of the camp. IVhat busi
ness has he hero? He's a rank out
sider anyway, and this union Is a
breeder of war.'-’
Raymond raised a warning hand.
“Careful, Don. It doesn’t do for you to
say such things up here. This uulon
has come to stay, and you who employ
labor will do well to treat It with a
certain measure of respect.”
“But you’re an employer too.”
Raymond laughed. “Oh, my little
crew don’t count. They're all pros
pectors or cowboys, nnd, besides, I
work right with them and am classed
as a working miner. Your case Is dif
ferent.”
Barnett went away calmly superior,
but came back from n conference with
Mnckay, the superintendent of the Red
Star, less haughty of manner, hut dis
tinctly more acrid of tone, “llackay
says this confounded union Is growing
rapidly nnd that jiracli.'aiiy every In
coming miner joins tit once. 1 told him
to nip the thing in the l,o i. nnd he has
begun to formulate u plan to do so.”
“Wait n rein” •virml Raymond.
“Walt till I pay for my mine.”
That ulght as Louis sat before the fire
In the center of the unfinished cabin
bis face shone with Joy and the heart
of the tall miner grew very tender to
ward blm. It was good to have this
gay young brother of his love to keej)
him company. A new sensation arose
from having some one to plan for and
to protect.
The dreaming lad, outstretched on a
pile of blankets wltb bis hands under
bis bead and bis small feet, clothed In
moccasins, extended to the blaze, sud
denly turned and said: “Rob, this Is
the kind of life for me. Wouldn’t fa
ther have liked this? I’d be perfectly
bappy if I didn’t have to pack off down
the bill tomorrow. Why couldn't Ann
come up here?"
“Maybe, by and by, when we get our
cabin fixed up, we will ask your sister
and Mrs. Barnett to come up and visit
as,” said Raymond.
Lou's started up. “Ob, will you? If
Ann were here I would never want to
go back ea.st again—never! I could
live here always.”
,A foot outside disturbed Raymond;
and a man’s voice called. “Is Rob Ray
mond here?”
In the unfinished doorway stood a
graceful young fellow In a white som
brero and a neatly fitting dark suit
“Jack .ilunro!” • exclaimed Raymond,
and they shook bands. “Sit down.
This Is a boy friend of mine from the
Springs,” he said, indicating Louis.
“What can I do for you?”
"Nothing,' old man. Just lined yon
out today. I beard that a man named
Raymond bad taken a lease with Kelly,
bnt I didn’t know It was you till I saw
you wltb Barnett today. Well, this Is
wonderful! Where you from? What
have you been doing since we—grad
uated?” There was something In Ms
voice that eluded Louis. Raymond
gave Munro a warning glance.
“Oh. a little of everything—cattle
ranching, hunting, mining. I saw you
Inst night lu Hanley’s saloon”
“Why didn't you speak uji?”
Raymond hesitated. “I didn’t know
whether you"—
"Oh. rats! I’m tint one to dodge.
What did getting fired amount to any
way? I was ready to leave." .
Raymond repeated his warning sign.
“Have you been back—home?”
Munro smiled broadly. “You bet! I
went back and swelled around In high
feathers—told my side of the story—
understand? I didn’t let the Institution
get the drop on me. But, see here,
come up to the saloon; I want to talk
things over with you. The boys are
bound to make me take a band In tbls
union."
“Can’t do It now, Jack. But corns
down again. Louis Is going back to
morrow, nnd I’ll be alone for a day or
two. nnd then we can talk freely.”
“All right. There are a whole lot of
things I want to turn over. By the
Lord, this Is wonderful—our meeting
up herel” He was reluctant to go.
"You bring up the old days. Well, so
long.”
When Raymond returned to his .1
his face was grave and bis eyes dewal
reflective. ~ *
Louis was much Interested In fa*
stranger. “Who was that, Rob?”
“A chap I used to know."
Next morning after breakfast R a .
niond hurried Louis off down the can*
yon to the stage and In Ms letter t»
Ann repented his "pledge to look <-ar*
fully after the boy’s health nnd to keen
him out of mischief.
Louis arrived at the Springs f a i,w
hysterical with joy over bla wonderful
day’s ride and set about to deserlh*
Skytown.
His absence had been a revelation of
bis value to Ann. Sbe bad not really
up to that moment bow deeply bis can
was woven Into her dally life, it was
Jealousy of Raymond’s power-an acrid
juice—which bad turned her pity f or
Mm, while wounded and belpless, into
resentment, and now that be was vretl
and triumphantly drawing the boy to
Ms aide her heart was bitter with
hatred, but sbe gave ber consent to
Lonls’ return because sbe dared not
do otherwise, and In a letter to Ray.
mond sbe said:
I resign Louis Into your bands, because
his happiness Is more than my own and
because he no longer retards my wishes,
I have heard much of the gambling and
drinking of mining camps. I beg of > ou to
guard him. He Is So fine and sweet now
and defilement Is so easy.
Upon reading this letter the camp
suddenly became a dark and daugcroui
place to the young miner. He found it
harder to make excuse for profanity
and’ foul Jests of the miners, and he'
went less and less among xliein and
spent more of bla time with the lad
watching him draw or listening to him
while he rend.
Their cabin became the center of the
finer spirits of_the_camn. Dolan and
Continued on 2nd page.
A good complexion is impossible with
the stomach out of order. If pasty
sallow people would pay more attention
to their stomachs and less to the skin
on their faces, they would have better
cnmplexiont. Kodol for Dyspepsia will
digest what yon eat. amt put your?
stomach back’ in right shape to do its
own work. Kodol relieves palpitation
of the heart, flatulence, sour stomach,
heart burn, etc. Sold by Vienna Drug
Oo.
"New lot of Picture Moulding just
received. Bring us your pictures to
frame. Vienna Drug Co.
For a painful hum there is nothing
like DeWitt’r Witch Hazel Salve. There
are a host of imitations of BeWitt’s
Witch* Hazel Salve on the market—see
thas you get the genuine. Ask for De-
Witt’s. Good, too, for sunburn, cuts,
bruises, and especially recommended f
for piles. The name E. C. DeWitt A
Oo.. Chicago is on every box. Sol by
Vienna Drug Go.
SOME GOOD
NEWS FOR YOU.
7i
We have vehicle news for you that’s too good to keep.
You know all material is higher than ever before and still climbing. Perhaps you
think this will make our prices too high for you.
You are mistaken.
We bought at the oid prices and will sell accordingly These prices indicate what
our vehicles are worth to us only. You will find them worth much more to you. »
Our stock i$ larger and more varied than ever.
What’s your need or fancy? We have it at a price you are used to, and quality you
are not used to for the money. Your dollar will stietch like rubber, doing extra duty on
a vehicle purchased from us. Now is the time, when the stock is new and full, to drop
in and look around, before the best things have been picked out by the early birds.
You’ll get a lot of beneficial information. Even if you are not in need of anything, you
are just as cordially invited and will receive the same painstaking attention.
J. P. HEARD & SONS, Vienna, Ga.
The Buggy and Wagon People.
Surreys, Cabriolets, Depot Wagons, Runabouts, Buggies, Phaetons,
Anything, Everything. f