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t 3 - HAMLIN COPYRIGHT, 1905. Bl "Because ye're one o' them," answer ed Kelly. "Yon boast of your power. Ye're a man of education-some say military education. You know wbat discipline is, but when it comes to con? trolling your men from insulting strangers and abusing women you set down. Now, listen to me. This is my last word on this .subject We are neutral. We have had no part in this row, and we will take none. Go on, work out ye're jackass plan, rouse the whole state, make a political issue of yourselves, but lave Raymond and Kel? ly out of it Lave our men alone. They are satisfied and earnin' good wages. As for1 my good advice, take it or lave lt If you take it ye win; if you lave it ye lose. I am for peace. I've done everything a man could do to tape the peace; I must do so. Every? thing I haye in the world is here-the mine, me wife and the babies. I want'. BO quarrel with anny man, especially ? with a miner, for I have worked for wages half me life, but I tell ye once more, boys, this mob business must not circle round that little cabin over there. If wan of your loafers so much ns puts his toe against my door FR kill him where he stands?* 7 He ended with a hoarse intensity that silenced the men who listened, and after a pause Raymond remarked, very quietly: "I stand with Kelly on this matter. Is there anything further you want to say?* Brock shook his heavy shoulders, as If to clear himself of a weight, and clumsily rose. "I reckon thaf s all yon stay ont?' "We stand clear,*' said Raymond. Carter fumbled for his hat "Of course you mustn't think we blame you, Kelly. You are right enough from your point of view, but what would be? come of labor if we all stood aside?*' "I don't know,** said Kelly. "There are wise men who have studied this problem-Hennery Garge, for instance -ye might look into his way. I'm dom sure your ways of violence will never cure the evil." As they stood on the threshold Brock spoke with a vicious sneer, "We'll re? port your answer." As the door closed behind them Ray? mond turned to Kelly with a look of great solemnity. "Matt, this means war for 1 ;." "Munro wiii stand between us and the union." V "I doubt it Matt. His power will vanish the moment he goes against the wishes of the miners. He couldn't feed his men and their horses without the union. He is in their pay, for all his boasting." Kelly looked thoughtful. "That is true." "Matt, you better take the wife and babies down to the valley." 'Tve spoken of that, but the little jrtfe w?l not go without me." "Then you must go. It is not safe for them here. The people below are in deadly earnest They're coming up here with an anny next time. You bet? ter take your little family and get out" . "I can't do that I can't leave here. Do you take the wife and the boys down to the Springs while I stay here and see that the work goes on." h-^They tossed this duty to and fro, each* arguing in favor of the other, till Raymond said. "Very well; let's leave it to the wife." I As they stepped out into the night Kelly cried out: "Here comes the snow. Munro's pickets have a hard night be? fore them." Kelly's sons were fast asleep in their bed, but the small mother still sat at her sewing, her head haloed with lamp? light 'Tm glad you've come," she said, "My heart is lonely without Ann. Do you think she'll ever come back. Rob?" "I hope so," he replied, but his voice had no heartiness of conviction in it 'Tm glad she's away-just now," said Kelly, coming straight to business, as usual. -And Rob thinks you'd bettet go down to the Springs also." "And leave you here. Matt Kelly? I will not. You'd be sure to get into trouble at once. If I go. you go." Kelly looked at Raymond with a comical lift of one eyebrow. '-That set? tles it-we stay!" "There's going to be trouble," warn? ed Raymond, "and you ought not to be fcpr*. Mrs. Krtly." will not be on the hill. I' . . ; rse?f, Matt." s'l LJ think so still, but at the I be safer far if you U were in the Springs." "What has happened tonight. Matt? You were not so blue when you went out." j He toIJ I: r quietly while she rocked j to and fro in Her"!ow c?ia?r. "She seem- j ed scarcely to listen, but at the end she j said: "You "id right. I am heartsick ? of these drinkin*, carousin* miners who go about making trouble for others. The most of them have no one but themselves, and they don't care what they do. If Jack Munro is tho man he boasts himself to be all tho time, he'll como in here and protect his friends." .'?lack is up against a bard streak o' weather. He's either got to stand in with the union or put up the money to feed and take care of his men and torsos and that's no small item when the snows have covered the grass. If be should join us. his power would be gone. He can't"- . A knock at the door brought ? smile to Kelly's-face. "Talk of the devil and he's at your elbow! Come!" Munro entered the room hurriedly, like a man pursued: His collar was rolled high and his hat pulled low. He shut the door behind him quickly, but when.-he turned his usual devil-may care grin was on his face. "Boys, this is on the q t. I mustn't be seen down here any more. This neutral game is up. They're going to make war on yan independent opera? tors, sure thing, and I can't hobnob with you. Oh, but they're wild up the street "TTii* neutral game is up." tonight! "The report is that the sheriff has started up the old stage road, and the lads are crazy to do 'em up. I've got to go down the eftnyoh and see." "It's another false alarm. The sheriff Isn't going to march on this camp, even with 10.000 deputies." "Anyhow, that's what they believe up there, and they're hot agait-sr you. This neutral dodge of yours won't work. I can't do much for you, but anything I can do to keep this little home undisturbed I'll do." He bowed to Mrs. Kelly. "But, as you said to? day, I can't maintain my men without the help of the miners, and, besides, boys, I believe In organized labor. La? bor is an army, and discipline Is every? thing." "Why don't you maintain it then?" The smile dropped from his face like a mask, and a sinister, older man faced them: "Give me time. What this camp needs is a little Napoleon-the whiff of grapeshot. It needs a dictator, and I may be able to lay my hand on the scepter yet." "It's pure anarchy now," said Ray? mond. "It was till I entered the game. I am in control of the situation tonight. If I could command $10,000 to take care of my men I'd bring order out of chaos or bang about forty of these hoboes." "If you'll make this camp law abid? ing. Jack, you will be one of the great men of the state., Even the valley will praise you. It's up to you this minute to show your power." "Yes, but there are a whole lot of other considerations. I can't afford to play into the hands of those cursed, one lung dudes. If it *ere a question of men like you and Kelly here-but It isn't. The Red Star company is made up of a set of pirates, who bat? ten on labor like a lot of turkey buz? zards. They have no regard for any human rights" "These howling dervishes up the street are not concerned with rights, not even their own." Munro was in deadly earnest now. .That's where you are wrong, old man. In their blind, fool way they are fight? ing labor's battles." "It's a queer mixup," said Kelly, with a sigh.. "I have a hatred of them dudes mesolf. They want to run our end of the county and their own too. They despise a workin'man. They dodge 'im as if he were a polecat" Raymond rapped on the table. "Now wait a moment You're confusing the jury, nie immediate question is, 'How can we kee-;? that mob of deputies from coming iii) here?' I'll tell you what I will do. i v ?li volunteer to go down and mec? the leaders and try to stop their advr.i: c." Kelly rose wiib a spring. "Go, you! ! I believe you can do the triek. Bar- | nett is your friend. The sheriff is mine. I would go with you, but I dare not leave me borne." "Never mind me, Matt," said the small wife. "You're both taking a big risk." re? marked Munro. "They may arrest you both." "I have no fear," Kelly said, "but I claro not go-just now." "I will go if the executive committee ; will authorize nie to treat with the op? position," declared Raymond. "They will never do that, but Carter j may. You might take him. He's j scared nearly out of his skin, but he i might be willing to go. Come with me and we will see." In the headquarters of the organ? ization Raymond and Munro found Carter and his staff loudly discussing measures and answering and sending messages. Dolan, the friendly report? er, was there, and also the representa? tive of the Bozle Nugget. They were both deeply trusted, and their advice was most carefully considered. Upon seeing Raymond with Munro, Dolan rushed forward. "What's the mean? ing of this? Have the independents come in?" Munro said quietly: "Boys, I want to be alone with the president Clear the room. Sergeant Poole." A tall young fellow in cowboy's dress drew a big revolver and, using it as a sort of baton, impassively drove every one but the president, his secretary and Raymond from the room. Munro put Raymond's proposition before Carter in a few words. Carter turned white with fear. "I can't do it They'd kill me. They hold me responsible for everything that's been done here. The governor has wired me to meet him, but I dare not do it. It's suicide to do it" "Then I will go alone," said Ray? mond, in vast disgust . "Give me a letter saying you would like to meet and confer with the sheriff to prevent bloodshed, and I will present it." Carter was shaking with excitement over the responsibility thrust upon him. "I don't know what to say." "I'll tell you what to say," put in Munro. "Tell him we are fully organ? ized and heavily armed, but that we desire to avoid bloodshed and to that end invite him and the president of the Red Star company to meet with us and Raymond in the presence of the governor of the state, in the hope of arriving at a compromise." Raymond was pleased. "That's the first note of sense I have heard ottered in this whole row." When the letter was delivered to him Munro said: "Now, Carter, keep mum about this. If it works out you can have all the credit for it; if it fails, I'll take the kicking." The crowd in the outer room were consumed with curiosity as the two young men came out but Munro said: "Get the recruits all together. I'll be back in half an hour and put them through the paces." Mounting their horses, they set off down the trail in the thick falling snow, guided only by the dim lights in the valley. "It's a tough night to be out Rob, but you're less likely to be interfered with on that account. If you meet any of my pickets the countersign is 'con? tact-porphyry-and slate.' " CHAPTER XXI. AYMOND'S descent of the can yJ yon was singularly uneventful ? \ He met neither the invading A L army nor the patrol. Happily j tho storm lessened as he descended, j and by dawn be was once :t?s>re trot- j ting with thc calm, close adhering seat j of the cowboy. . He had planned to go to a friend's j house in the lower town, but with the coming of light and the blooming of the rose of the morning he resolved to ride directly to Barnett's. "My errand is an honorable one," he argued. "Why should I sneak into cover?" The housemaid who let him into the house smiled upon him in a most friendly fashion. "We're glad to see you, sir. Shall I tell Mr. Barnett you are here?" "I wish you would, and tell him I wish no one but himself to know of my presence." Barnett was in bed, with a pot_of coffee and some "toast on a^tand"T)y"bjis side, reading the morning papers. "Hello, old man," he called out when the door was shut "I'm mighty glad to see you, but I don't know what to do about you. What's the row, any? way? Have you come down to see Ann?" Raymond took a chair near the bed. "Not exactly, but of course" "I understand, and I don't blame you. She came back from up there looking like a rose of Sharon. Of course you haven't Iud breakfast Have some coffee. Touch that bell for me and we'll have something heartier." "How is Mrs. Barnett?" "Never better. I've got her locked in there." He pointed at an inner door.) "I had an idea you were coming with Im? portant news from the front. I don't know about your being here; the peo? ple have got you mixed up with Mun? ro in this thing, and I've had the devil's own job to convince them other? wise. I'm not a bit sure they won't want to arrest you and hold you as a hostage." "That would be a nice job." "Wouldn't it? But they've lost their heads completely. You see, these 'red neckers' hit us on a weak spot-they broke loose just as we were trying to float our biggest issue of stock and flattened out every deal till it looks like a square yard of nothing. Natural? ly we're all red headed as woodpeck? ers, and we're going to open these mines. We've got to open them or go broke. By the way, when did you come to town?" "This minute." "Ride! In this storm!" He rose on his elbow t/? survey him. "Great Scott man. throw off those horrible boots and put on some dry socks and some slip? pers! Tumble the things out of thal bottom drawer; you'll find all kinds there." In the end he .had his way. and so in wann, dry footwear and a smoking jacket the young miner ate his steak and drank his coffre while his host looked on and commented on his looks. "You've taken a hand to the plow, haven't you? That fist is a wonder. And you've really struck it? Well. I'm triad of it. T?nt you wam to watch Curran. I'm told he's been to every lawyer in town with your papers in ?he attempt to break your grip on that vein." "Wo are not worrying." replied Ray- i mond. When he had quite finished. Barnet said, "Well. now. Rob. what about it? Raymond was equally direct. 'Tr here to try to persuade you not to sen the sheriff and his men up the canyon. "Whom do you represent, the union? "In a way. yes. I have a letter t you, and I come on behalf of the inde pendents, who don't want to see blood shed. There'll be a horrible mixur. Don, sure thing, unless your fellows ar headed off. Munro's cowboys and des peradoes will fight; don't make an; mistake about that." "Who is this man Munro?" Raymond looked at his friend stead ily. "Don, the time has come to tel you something, but it's a secret!" Hi voice ended in a rising inflection. "I concerns only you and me-for th present." Barnett reached out his hand. "Al right, old man." "Munro is really Jackson Hollenbeci We were classmates and roommate at West Point Do you remember read ing some eight or nine years ago of ; group of six cadets being dismissed fo hazing and insubordination? I don' suppose you do, but I was one of tha gang. Jack was another. We weren* so bad as we were represented, bu they fired us all the same. I lost al track of Hollie, as we called him then.' "So that's where Munro gets his mill tary training, and his real name i: Hollenbeck." He smiled slyly. "What'i yours?" "Oh, mine is straight I never triet to conceal my Identity. I'm Rober Huston Raymond of Ohio, the man tha 'swatted' his superior and got 'busted for it Since then I've lived a com monplace life." "what was It all about? I never ask ed any questions before, but I'd like t< know all about it" "That's about all of It I was a rest less young cub and hated discipline but that*s of no value. What is impor tant is this -Jack Munro's military training is being felt Now, yoi mustn't ask me a single question as tc conditions up there. Fm going back and I must be able to say to Jack thal I was faithful to my trust If th? sheriff will go back with me alone 1 believe I can get Jack to deliver th< men that blew up the mine. Then il the Red Star people-you, In fact-will deal with the men fairly I think thc whole situation will clear." "I don't share your optimism. Tbos< jackasses must be whipped before thej wili yield a point They'd kill you an? the sheriff both." "I don't think so. I know Jack will protect us. He practically controls tnt camp at this minute. I have the coun tersign and can pass the patrol at anj time today, and the sheriff, if he has the nerve, can ride with me straight tc Jack's headquarters. Then I want yon to meet some of the head men and ar? range a new scale." To This Barnett would not listen. ! "Once you admit that these men can dictare terms and where will their de ! m and s stop?" ? Raymond spoice with some heat "What 1 complain of is ihat you Red Star people are interfering with my business. You have inflamed the camp till I may be obliged to shut down at any moment You have been unrea? sonable in treating with your men. It isn't so much a question of wages; ifs j a question of courtesy and decent re? gard for your fellows. Mackay was no man to make an issue of. He was, In fact, a conceited ass, and you know it Now, Barnett, you must 'back water* here. The camp is in a bad temper, and you can't cure violence with vio? lence." "Well, I'll tell you what I'll do," said Barnett on sudden impulse, moved by Raymondis sincerity, "I'll call a meet? ing here of the sheriff, the mayor and one or two others, and we'll talk this over." "All right only you must keep my presence here a secret and be mighty careful not to put me in a false posi? tion." "I'll take care of you." As he rose he added: "You lie down for awhile and rest while I collect my men." Raymond followed slowly and rolled into his delicious bec! with a sigh of deep pleasure. When he awoke Don was standing over him smiling. "The council is on. Dress and come down to the library. I was right about tt e indignant citi? zens; they were all for arresting you. They understand that you are a pal of this man Munro, and I was obliged to put forth all my influence to save you." This did not appeal to Raymond's sense of humor. "It's just that blind sort of bucking at the wrong minute that tangles things up. Munro is the one regulative force up there, and yet you fellows want to kill him off." As Raymond stepped out into the hall Ann n.et him. "Good momirfg," she said, and her fine hand closed strongly on his. "Don has told me of your mission. I hope you'll succeed." She turned to Barnett. "Do you know where Louis is?" "No. Haven't you seen him this morning?" . "No. and I'm afraid he has gone back to Skytown. The hostler said he took his pony and rode away about S o'clock." Her anxiety for her brother showed in the otherwise clear serenity of her eyes like a cloud in a summer sky. "I am afraid to have him there when j jrou arc away," she said to Raymond. "Can you keep Louis out of it?" "I think so." "You must be sure or I will go back. ; I could keep him out of it te take care of me. Is Mrs. Kelly afraid?" "Not a bit. I tried to induce her to come down here, but she refuses to i make any change in her life. Even if the invaders storm the Ton the Kelly ! household is out of range." "They really have n fort, then?" "I shouldn't have said fort. I meant j the hill." "Yon said fort." "I am here as a messenger of peace, not to bel ray military secrets," he re- : plied, with a smile in his eyes. "And I must be careful even with" you." "What do you hope to do?" "I hope to persuade the authorities here not to send these deputies up the canyon. I want to arrange an armis? tice-that is, a wait of a couple o? weeks in which to meet and consider ways and means." "I cairne here to tell you that you are mistaken." She "checked herself. "You must go. j They are waiting for you below. We will ?te you at luncheon?" "Yes, I may not start till dark to ! night"' i "You have my best wishes." j The men assembled in the library were a grim lot Mackay was no less ! square jawed than Banker Moore, and the squat, coarse featured, scowling sheriff resembled a bulldog. Don Bar? nett alone seemed not a part of the gen? eral massing of prejudice and passion, and yet he was one of the most pitiless of them all. The mayor, a large man with a plump and smiling face, seemed the only man likely to side with a peace messenger. After general introductions Raymond took a seat and at Don's request reit? erated his appeal for a stay of the ad? vancing hordes. "You think they'll fight?" asked the mayor. "I know they'll fight" "How many men does this man Mun ro" Raymond raised a warning hand. "Now, your honor and gentlemen, I am here merely as a peace envoy. I do not intend to utter ono word which could by any force be twisted into revealing j the camp secrets. If I betrayed ih^se j men my life wouldn't be worth a tooth? pick. They would quite properly mob me." The mayor smiled as if it were all a joke. "Quite right. Mr. Raymond. I see the propriety of your attitude." "I don't" saki Mackay. "Raymond and Kelly have elected themselves into onlookers. If they had taken prompt action with us in this whole matter trouble would have been averted." The mayor resumed his questions. "Who sent you? Whom do you repre? sent?" "Munro sent me." "Who is Munro?" "He is the adviser of the president of the union." "He's the 'whole thing,* isn't her asked the mayor. j "That I cannot answer. He has the confidence of the committee." "I don't suppose it will do any good to ask about the buried dynamite and the fortifications on the hill?" "None whatever." "Then what dioT you hope to accom? plish?" Raymond fired a little. "I came here to tell you that if you think you can overawe this camp with 1,000 men or 2,000 men you are mistaken. Since this trouble, began hundreds of the most reckless and dangerous charac? ters in the west have flocked to Sky in support of the miners. These recruits are accustomed to the sound of guns. Furthermore, Bozle itself-in fact, the whole western end of the county-is tired of the domination of the eastern end, and they will aid and abet the miners. Your party is in a minority in the state, and you cannot safely look for support to the militia. Therefore, for all these reasons and because I know Munro and his men, I advise. I plead with you, to stay where you are. There is one other consideration: The party which I represent-the free min? ers and prospectors, like Kelly and Bingham and Reese-have stood aside from this quarrel. We have had no share in it. We have kept our men out of it, but if you march against the hill many of our fellows will join Munro. And I want to tell you. gen? tlemen. That one of these free miners these rangers of the hills-is more dan? gerous than twenty little dagoes. A hundred of them would stand off f>00 of four men." His deep earnestness impressed them all. and a silence followed his last words. At last Don said: "Gentlemen. Raymond is not merely an acquaintance; he was in my employ for some years, and he is my friend. I am forced to give his words great weight. I suggest that we try to ar- 1 range a meeting between the miners 1 and oursei ves and the governor and reach some peaceful solution." The sheriff leaped to his feet "That would make us the laughingstock of the whole country " "Better be that than a melancholy example of foolish jv'?e and obsti- j nacy," Raymond interjected. [TO BE CONTI;: JED.] SEPARATION THE SOLUTION. Jackson. Miss.. Sept. 25.-"In my opinion, the only solution of the race question." said Governor Vardaman, in discussing the Atlanta riots, "is repeal of the 15th amendment and modilication of the 14th. The civiliza? tion of the white man cannot be suited to the lowbrowed, veneered, semi-savage negro. , "Wjhen you un- ' dertake it, you demoralize the white and spoil the negro. "The civilization of the negro lasts just so long as he is under the con? trol of the white man, who inculcates it. When left to himself, he naturally didfts back to the barbarism of the jungle. The crime of criminal assault is a brutal manifestation of the ne? gro's aspiratjo-n for social equality. 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