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HAMLIN GARLAND
COPYRIGHT, IPOS, BY HAMLIN GARLAND
*•
chapter xu. I wiat
NB day Barnett telephoned to
Mackay posted his notice* Saturday
, . I night, putting the now nine hour schedule
Ilia wife tuat lie would not j into effect Monday morning. Sunday the
.
• I take luncheon ntboiqe. There
was nothing unusual In the
Trorda of tbla announcement, but Jean
nette's keen ear detected restrained
excitement In bis calm drawl.
"What’s the matter?” she asketl
quickly.
‘‘Nothing, my dear; nothing.” be glib
ly responded.
"Don Barnett, I know better. Tell
sue tbit Instant!”
He was In for It. "Well, Mr. Mac
kay, our superintendent, was tarred
nnd ridden on a rail by the miners this
morning”— '*■
"Gracious heavens!"
—“and I'm getting off up the stage
road to meet him."
"What did they do it for?”
"Oh, It's the sanio old business. The
men didn't like some regulation of bis
And struck, and—but It's a long story; I
■won't go Into It now. I’ll get back In
time for dinner, probably.”
In an hour Millionaire row was bum
ming with nows of the outrage. Re-
forts, confused, conflicting! flew along
the wires east nnd west, and the after
noon papers were filled with dramatic
details of the opening of a big strike
In Skytown and the story of bow the
union leaders bad mishandled Mnckay,
the superintendent of the Red Star
kilning corporation.
All this would have Interested Ann
■very little bad not l}(£ brother been In
•be midst of the disorder. She Immedi
ately wired blni to come down and got
a reply from Raymond saying, “Louis
la on the way—no danger." and the boy
blmself came ridlug into the yard at
dusk.
Bnymond'o letter to Barnett took se
rious view of the situation;
camp boiled. The union put forth II* de.
cree, and of courae at the morning hour
it big crowd gathered to *oe Mackay faco
111* men. He come riding up (the Jack
ass!) In tun colored English riding
breeches and a little two billed gray cap—
you know the kind. Of course they hooted
him and headed his horse back down tho
slope. He was red headed, naturally, and,
being a double distilled Idiot, hired a
couple of desperadoes from Bosle os
guards and came back. This time the
beys Jerked him snd hie men from their
horses and bustled them down the canyon
at the boot toe. 1 did what I could to
prevent this, but the men who had the
matter In charge had been drinking, and
the crowd was with them. My men are
not In the union, but 1 hear ominous
threats. ( Advise you not to attempt to
put the new schedule Into operation at
th* present time.
The effect on the valley of Mackny'a
recital of his maltreatment was most
wonderful. The principal mine owners
of the Springs met. to discuss tbclr
campaign. The valley called for the
blood of those who bud dusted the sa
cred person of tbelr representative, nnd
tbe sheriff was ordered to arrest und
bring down tbe Insolent "red necks”
who had bumbled the proud add con
fident Red Star superintendent. "This
| spirit of lawlessness must be checked
' or It will run into riot,” said Harnett,
\v.:a developed unexpectedly Into a
lender of tbe mine owners by virtue of
bis large Interests lu tbe Red Star.
The sheriff valiantly responded to tbe
call und, witb u bulf dozen deputies,
marched up Into the glittering mist of
tbe high (leaks und came down again
empty banded and sullen.
A meeting of tbe officers of tbe Red
Star and allied companies was called,
Barnett presiding. Must resolute res
olutions were passed. Mackay was In
structed to press Ills demands to tbe
I don't think Mackay the proper man to I full. Barnett naturally opposed a con-
attempt to reorganise th* working hours ference with the miners. "Either they
of this camp. Don't try to put him back. tn B
and don't make too much of this lit- conle t0 °’ lr . lel “ * ** r " e Uose U(nvn
tie affair. The whole enmp Is uneasy at the mines,” be suld. “It Is our cue to
this time. The union la gotllng very be firm in this demand." ,
Rsptmtonts'lUaf Kefir and myself 1 m "IT '"TT t0
‘“What Is It all about?" asked Jean- j *"3“*T ' P *
fiottc warning word. x
« “Gentlemen,” said he, “you’re deal*
don't art mltSuto tbeTaiwe of a ' ,u * ” itb " ,ot °? trw pros :
atisikA. a wraman pectors-^meu who wou t be driven aud
strike. A woman never understands i * ... K . t - .... . * ..
such a situation. However, here Is ! can't he scared, f It bad been just a
• case of Ignorant dagoes 1 would have
brought ’em down, but they’ve'gotlea
era that you can't monkey with. Wbc
Ilob Smith, Denver Dan and that dev
jack Munro met me with tbclr bolster
tied down I threw up my bands. Yo;
are from tbe east, where things ar
different. About one-tblrd of the mo
on tbe peak ares old prospectors an.
free miners, and If they stay by th
proposition you've got to take a sneai
or put up tbe fight of the age.”
“We stand pat," said Barnett, “and
we shall insist on your arresting tin
men who assaulted Mr. Mackay.”
Tbe sheriff made an elaborate bow
"Right you are, Mr. Barnett, but l'l.
want a hundred deputies to do It with.”
Moving with such secrecy as be
could, the sheriff collected and swore
In some ninety men, tbe boldest and
hardiest to be found In nil tbe towns
of the valley. They were not sedate
and considerate cltlzeus, but they were
brave, or at least reckless, and without-
exception experienced wearers of guns.
They professed themselves- quite able
and willing to bring down anybody In
the hills. After being armed and pro
visioned they were to be sent round
by way of a railroad which was build
ing toward tbe camp from the south.
Barnett was heedful of his words at
home and made light of the probable
opposition of tbe miners, but Louis,
with n boy's ability to discern what
was going on, soon acquired n pretty
clear Idea of tbe plan, and . when Ann
asked him dot to return to the heights
on Monday he was ominously calm,
but asserted Ills right to go where be
pleased.
"Rob wants me and needs me. and
I’m going. You can put me In Jail, but
that Is tbe only way. If there Is going
to be war,-I am going to be in It, and
I’m going to bo on the side of tbe
miners.”
Ann wrote a swift and fervent note
to Raymond:
I am trusting Louis to your care be
cause he will not stay. Tou navo tvon
tjls heart from us, and we are powerless
to prevent his return. Guard him. for the
sake of his boyish sweetness, for my
sake.
She wrote no further, for ns her
mind dwelt upon that camp of ruffian
miners and their desire for battle u bit
ter resolution swept over her. "1 will
test Ills love for me." With cold Inten
sity she ennoauced her purpose. "If
you Insist on going back to that camp
I shall go too.”
"You must not go.” said Louis. “It’s
no place for you."
“It Is no place for you.”
He asserted blmself again. "I can
take care of myself.” - .
“Mr. Raymond has asked me to keep
you here.” She went to him and put
her arm about hts neck. “Stay with
me, laddie.. I am missing you these
days."
In the end she seemed to prevail, but
she took no pleasure In her victory, for
he went about <the house Use a young
eagle pinioned. Nothing save the news
»f the camp Interested him, and ;when
(tie time came for the sheriff to start on
/hls"T)ew" raid ne'became greatly ext
cited,
“There's going to be a battle,” be said
to Ann. “I'm going."
“No, nor she pleaded.
He turned upon her with a resentful
stamp of bis heel “I can't stay here
like a kid.”
She changed her tone, “Very welL
When shall we start?"
He looked at her steadily, and Into
bis eyes came a softer gleam. “I’ts
Just .thought,” he began reflectively;
“you can stay with Mrs. Kelly till we
build a wing for you. She's a nice wo
man and lives In tbe cunnlqgest little
log cabin. That settles It! We will go
right away, today!”
Ann was at a loss, but did not show
It. “If yon are determined to go, then
there Is no use in waiting. Let us start
At once!"
While Mrs. Barnett suggested wbut
to wenr Don ordered a carriage to take
Ann nnd himself to tbe train, nnd Lonls
saddled bis horse for his return trip up
the stage road. "I’ll beat you up.” he
tbouted to Ann nud galloped away
with shining face.
The railway which ran up Bear can
yon was still building and bad not yet
reached the divide, so that a stage ride
of some twenty miles connected the
town of Grand View witb Sky camp.
Ann nnd Barnett were noticeable per
sons In the effr, which was filled with
roughly dad workmen of all klpds.
Ann was conscious of their admira
tion for her, and It deeply annoyed her.
Two or three of tbe better dressed men,
wbo were on speaking acquaintance
with Barnett, came up to ask him wbat
be thought of tbe strike.
I didn't know It was a strike," said
be. Ignoring tbelr evident desire to be
Introduced to Ann.
Ob, It's a strike all right. Your man
Mackay 'wasn’t much hurt, was be?"
"Not badly.”
"lie was n little too previous. I hope
the sheriff won't try to do anything
more about It. Tbe boys np at Sky
are n little sharp set about that busi
ness. Ain't goln’ np there yourself, are
ye?"
‘Yes; I’ve always been on good terms
with my men. I think I can help to
arrange some sort of a compromise.”
Tbe two miners looked at each other.
At length the older of them said In a
tone that meant a good deal to cars ac
customed to western Inflections: “Well,
I reckon the whole thing has been ex
aggerated. My claim Is Just below
Bozle. and so, of course, I don’t know
much more about Sky than you do.
Still I wouldn't advise your going In at
this time.”
At Grand View n couple of stages
met them, and as Ann waited ou tlie
platform for Don to secure a carriage
she observed that on the sent of each
of the codcbcs two guards sat. negli
gently nursing rifles which glittered lu
the sunlight. Soon the whips began to
crack, and the coaches rolled away one
hy one, leaving Barnett to follow In a
road wagon which he had hired for
their own especial use.
1 Tbe sun was sinking to mldatter-
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 mudbole, was very good. Bar
nett remarked! “We ought to pull Into
Bosle before dark on tbeso roads.”
Night came abruptly. A thin gray
scum rose swiftly on the western sky
and suddenly grayed tho brightness of
tbe sun. Tbe world grew Instantly
stern and cold. Tbe road, after climb
ing a ridge, descended into a gorge
with firs on either side, and when they
came out upon tbe flat meadow to the
northwest of Mogalyon only tbe lights
of Skytown could be seen, .
At tbe moment that Don-was point
ing out tbe lights two horsemen up?
pcared In front find In the middle of
the road.
“Halt!" cried a clear voice.
The driver pulled his tired horses to
a stand so energetically that bis bands
rose above his head/
“Is Donnelly Barnett with you?"
asked one - of tbe men - As be rode
nearer.
“I’m Barnett. Wbat do you want of
me?” asked Don coolly.
“Nut a thing.” answered the horse
man. “That's just It We have no use
for you. aqd I’ve been watching to
meet you and say that the boys want
yon to continue your quiet uneventful
life at the Springs.”
“Who are you?"
“We’re a couple of Skytown vedettes.
Who Is the lady?”
“That doesn't concern yon.. Go on.
driver.”
The driver took up the reins, but the
voice of the • vedette grew sterner,
“Stay where you are!” Then, turning
to Barnett; "I’m your best frleqd. Don
nelly. The boys understand that you
ure backing Mackay 'in bis plans, and
It Isn't safe for yon to enter tbe camp.
I advise you to turn around right here
nnd go back."
Ann spoke up: “Dense Ififus go on.
Mr. Barnett Is taking me in to me»i
my brother, nnd I am cold nnd hun
gry."
There wuu something thrilling in the
calm, clear sweetness of her voice, aud
tbe first of the vedetied, pressing near
er, leaned from his saddle to ask:
“Who is your brother, lady?”
"His name Is Louis Rupert. He is
only n boy, and I am going In to care
for him,”
“Rob llayinond'a kid. I know him,”
replied tbe vedette. “But I thought he
was visiting yon Iq the Springs.”
“He was, but be.went back to the
camp today, and I am - very anxtoua
about him.”
"He’s all right, Indy, so long as Ilob
Raymond has him In hand. You are
welcome, but Barnett Is on the out
side and must stuy there.” \
“I decline to acknowledge your au
thority,” responded Barnett, now thor
oughly angry.
The horseman laughed softly, Irritat
ingly. “Manners donTgolvuE uV.i
the present time. I must Mk y *
camp right here or go back to llraj
View till I can communicate with the
president of tbe union. If you at !
here to talk compromise the men w m
be glad to meet you, but my Judgment
Is that you better retire to Grand Vie*
I will see that this lady gets to he!
brother." '
Ann was not fl timid girl, hut th,
thought of riding away into the
neas of the night with these sinistw
guards mate her flesh chill and her
nerves creep. "Don’t leave me. Ron-
she whispered.
Barnett stormed at the horsemen “i t
Is impossible! If I am forced to go
back she must go with me. What right
have you to Interfere In our planer
The answer came quickly, coldly ev-
ery word telling. “PH tell you.' The
boys hnve learned that you bave been
chiefly instrumental In pusblug the
sheriff Into onotber raid, and If trouble
comet they'll kill you. It Isn’t safe for
you to be on tbe hiU tomorrow. .Now
you needn’t be afraid to trust tbe lady
to me* The vedette removed his hut.
“I am not a man to be feared by wo
men.”
Ann again spoke. “I can't consent to
your going into danger for me. Dou.
Turn back, and I will go on.”
“It is madness!" he said in a low
voice. “These men are not fit escorts
for yon. We will both go back nud
watt—until -morning.”
Ann’s teeth were chattering with
cold. "I Annul that long drive. We
must be almost at our destination."
Tbe two horsemen conferred together,^
and at last one of them returned to
say: "Driver, yoq may come on until
you reach the first cabin at tbe foot of
the hill. There tbe lady will get out,
and you will drive Mr. Barnett hack
before daylight tomorrow morning."
As they drew -up before the shanty
door tbe leader of the vedettes rode
forward and, sold gently: "Lady, the
road from here to the summit is lined
with cabins, and no harm can possibly
come to you while I have yon to charge.
Or, If you like, you can .stay*here till
morning; but I would advise you to go
on to Mrs. 'Kelly’s. There Is no cabin
suited to your needs on this side of the
peak.”
Ann, stiff aud weary and hungry,
rose In her aeat with a sort of despera
tion. "I will go,” she paid with trem
bling voice.
The vedette, dismounting quickly.
Continued on 2nd page.
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TURNING YOUR BACK
ON OPPORTUNITY
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