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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 ".??bafs very kin?Tof you, but I ir 2&s?st on making it a matter of pro mbuaal service," replied Ann, for he, ?was a suitor, and she liked him, bu this moment she wanted his skill jtraiztfng_as a physician; not his ad< lion, This ^eHhad Insight enough ;perceive. "We can go by the Southern raift and drive from Sage Flat, or we So over the stage road. In either c Ure must meet and pass Munro's gui According to all accounts, he has complete circle." *t am not afraid of Munro or men," she answered. "In fact, ti "WSI fee our safeguard. I will telegn to Mr, Munro that we are coming, t tie wfll see that we are protected." *Tf you feel that way, then the s: ;Plesi and quickest route is over o?d stage road. With a good span ?bersos and a light cart we can drive Bozte "by 4 o'clock and reach Sky to before dark." "Then let as go!" she cried, rist *T will order a carriage at once a ?call for you ia half an hour." *T will be ready," he alertly replie By means of the telephone Ann ffered the liveryman to harness his t> ?pan of horses to a mountain bu< %oa??. "No, I do not need a drive ?he sharply answered to his que .*tSet them here quick!" Before she left the receiver Barn? .came irushing into the room. ' Wha ali this? Jeannette*tells me you're i tos b^ek to Sky to wa today." *Tn twenty minutes I shall be on t Jpoad." ^AJorte?" '"No; Dr. Brai?e is going with me.r ."Impossible! You mustn't do it! O' atttack is to be made tonight Tl whole hill will be a battleground t "? can't help that, Don. I must go any brother. He needs me all the mot Think of that. poor, boy lying the: imraing with fever and a battle goii oui Put off your attack. It's all foe Ssh, wicked, anyhow. What good- wi 3t ?Lo? You will only kill men or gi $?l2ed yourself." X>r, Braide was waiting as Ann dre" <ap to his door. He carried a big bea skia robe over his arm and held a med erne ?ase In his hand. "Have yo p?eaty of wraps? Ifs cold up theD they say. Let me arrange this rot .around your feet Shall I drive?" ^^So, thank you. I will drive." "The "horses were marvels. The; poshed up the steep, winding road wit! ateady stride, their heads swinging Xofc tin they entered the canyon di< they lag ?nto a walk. The cloud ?rong ?ow, m g^eat gray masses, covei iag even the secondary peaks. Patcher of saow ^egan to appear at the road Gods, li was a bleak, inhospitable ant s?esat world. **Z2iere 2s something ominous in thii stuiness,*' Aim said at last "Where do you suppose we will meei Msnro's men?" *"A2irwiiere after we leave the half cwsy "house, according to report." , "*Xou know this man Munro?" ; ,aTve met him." ""Sa ne as terrible as people think **He seemed very boyish to me and ?Bot at all terrible." .*3Ehe morning papers stated that he 1x8x1 asstrmed absolute control up there, aaa that his men were drilled in true aacEfcary fashion." **S? much the better for us," answer? ed Ann, "for he will see that we are Bsro?ected." At cabout ll o'clock they reached the wicfe mountain meadow out of which <?B& Bear creek fell. The clouds hung Josfc a"bove their heads, a broad, seam Jess gray roof. At thc halfway house they found a Stase load of people and several freight? ers? and every man's mouth was agape. The tavern was a survival of the <2ays when railroads were or the far? away future-a long, lo", log structure with a roof of dirt cut of which dead TO$eds flaunted. The front room, which ?jpazmed with men in rough clothing, aeessed re be a country store and post -c4Bct as -weil as an eating house. A aasaB, active old woman met Ann with $?thless grin. "Step right this way aad get out o' the smudge." ?BB followed her into a minute bed xoosa which opened off the dining room. *Q??id woman began to clatter. "Put ?ff your things here. My, but them's 1fe? ?urs! Did ye drive up from the Sgcings? Are you going on to the casap?" ".yes." ""Wahl, you'll find it lively up there! A&aear?:> I can learn they mean biz!" $be srblcpcred. "Some o' Jack Mun Nte s??& are in there now eatin'. They feeep sat mighty sharp watch on who c?nes in these days. Soon's you're >: ^R?y Fil put you and your man down my end of the table and I'll look C-'.r ye." ri laid aside her furs, but retained t, and as she re-entered the room \' " dazzling appeal to those rough who eyed her with sly side \ already seated, rose to meet have reached an outpost of id will be interrogated be 3L \ \ I fear." ready to meet them," she g to her plate. "They f*iyr>f- ;'. ?' ??fr TIC nooo " 1 K^W nmi?ting. Each man apparently'strove to fill his paunch before his fellow Only one of them seemed to study Am and her companion with candid inter est This was a small man with i chin beard and an eye as keen as tha of a blue jay. As the other men filia np and left the table he came down an< carelessly took a seat near Braide. " "I reckon I've seen yon before," hi began pleasantly. "I shouldn't wonder. I'm Dr. Braid? of Talley Springs." "Where you airnin* to go now, if if i a fair question?" "To Skytown." "Goin' to treat somebody T asked th* old woman, who was hovering near. Ann interposed. "Yes, he is going nj to treat my brother Louis, who is lyini ill at Mr. Raymond's cabin." The stranger glowed again. "Didn'1 ! see nothin' of the sheriffs army on th? j way, did ye?" Here he winked at : Braide. The doctor smiled. "Not a thing. 1 don't think they've left the valley yet* "I'd advise 'em not to. I'm goinj ! over to the camp myself, and if yot don't mind I'll jest nacherly jog alon| S a rod or two ahead of yon-to sho*w you the road." ? As he rose to go the stranger said ! "If so be it you folks have any influ? ence with Rob Raymond, preach him into joining the movement It'll be a mighty sight safer for him and a big help to the miners." ' After the miner left the room Braide said: "We're in the enemy's country. He was plainly warning us, and his going along is in the nature of an arm? ed guard." "His escort may be of use to us," re? plied Ann. "Who was that man?" she asked of the old woman, who fairly whispered her answer. "That's old Steve Adams. He's boss of this squad. All six o' them men are Munro's pickets." As Ann and the doctor drove on the clouds began to lift, rolling slowly, ponderously, reluctantly upward from the timbered slopes. v Their guide rode rapidly, signaling the doctor now and then to keep pace with him, and after nearly an hour of fairly level ground the road entered another canyon and crawled upward along a prodigious wall, which beat back the clashing roar of a small but very swift stream of water. . It must have been about 5 o'clock when they rounded the great base of thc Black Cone at the head of the canyon and looked away across the big camp and far out upon the valley to the west. Auams. their guide, was a consider? able distance in advance when a couple of horsemen encountered them. After a moment's conference one turn? ed back, and the other came on swiftly. Ann's heart glowed with the hope that.it might be Raymond with a mes? sage from the sick one, but it proved to be Munro. He came up swiftly and, setting his horse upon his haunches, leaped cavalierly to the ground. "Good evening, lady," he called as he approached the wagon. "Have you journeyed far?" "How ls Louis?" asked Ann quickly, with instant revolt of his assurance. He felt the impersonal rebuke of her manner and replied simply: "He is bet? ter this afternoon, so I hear. I have not had time to call. It is a pleasure to see you again." He fixed his eyes on her companion. "I don't think I know you," he said, with a challenging in? flection in his voice. "I am Dr. Braide of Valley Springs." Ann explained, "Dr. Braide comes to attend my brother." Munro's face lost its reckless smile, and he looked worn and pale. "Doc? tor, I'm glad to meet you." "We must hurry on," interrupted Ann, warmly impatient of Munro's glances. .Braide chirped to his horses and Munro swung to "his seat and followed after. At the foot of the hill he called.: "Keep that winding road. It will bring yow to the top neir Kelly's. I'll meet you there." The peak was more than quiet-it was silent. It was as if a palsy b'd fallen upon every ablebodled workman, causing a swift devouring decay to set in. \ "What a change !" exclaimed Braide. "I was here just before this trouble be? gan and those hills teemed with men" "There is one smoking chimney. It must be the Raymond & Kelly mine." Ann pointed a way up the hill. "How do they keep going?" "The strikes fear them, and, besides, Munro and li-.iymond are old acquaint? ances. I ti:ink he protects them." Raymond was standing ai the Kellys' door as they drove up. his face somber, his eyes clouded. He could not speak, so deeply was he moved, but with a nod at Braide and without a word threw back the robes and reached a \ hand to help her. "How is he?" she asked, with a catching of the breath. "He is very ill, but I think"- His voice failed him for a moment. "I'm glad to see you, doctor. He n^?s you." Everything whirled before Ann. "If he should die-oh, if be should die! It's all my fault!" she wailed. "It's all my fault!" and her numb limbs refus? ed to move. "Don't say that." he urged. "I've go?i- "I " thousand times. ? don't see any one ;s to Mame. I know j you are not. Come, we must go to him." In that instant something seemed to pass between them-some invisible, in? tangible bond was established. Ann put out her hand, and he took it gently between his palms. '-Be brave, dear girl," he said tenderly. She suddenly roused herself and hur? ried toward the cabin. Mrs. Kelly came to meet her with arms opened wide, her sweet face pale with pity. ."Oh, Ann, darlin', we're needin' ye!" Ann went to her for an instant, then put her aside and knelt beside the bed. Her heart grew icy cold with the nor I ror and the pity of seeing that blithe, boyish face set and livid, the brows grave with the gravity of battle. His eyes were closed, and, at the moment, he appeared to be dying. She caught his lax hand and kissed it passionate? ly. "Louis, speak to me: Speak to sister!" Her low cry pierced Raymond's heart, and while lie stood helpless, sick with sympathetic pain, the doctor took Ann gently by the arm. "Please leave me alone with Louis for a few minutes. Trust him to me." Raymond turned comforter. "The doctor is right. His case is not decided yet. You must remember how strong and well he has been. He's not the pale slip he was when he came here. Please go over to the house and let Nora make some tea for you," he plead? ed, and at last she yielded and, with a final look at the sick boy, went out with Mrs. Kelly. With that half superstitious confi? dence which even the most intelligent feel when the doctor is present, Ray? mond soon followed. He was tired tired! His long ride to the valley and "Louis, speak to mc! Speak to sister!" back, his lack of sleep, but especially his anxiety, had worn upon him so that now, when he could shift some part "of his responsibility, his steel woven frame began to quiver and his brain to thicken. He sank into a chair and lax? ly looked at Ann. i "it is sweet to see you," he uttered slowly - "doubly sweet because bf Louis. We've done our best, Nora and L I was in agony for fear you would not' come tonight. I didn't want to shirk responsibility or labor-but-I-I want? ed you. It's been a long day for me." Mrs. Kelly explained: "Rob is dyin* for lack o' sleep. That's the truth. He wouldn't leave the boy, and after rid? ing all the day and the night before. But come now, have some tea-both. My mind is easier since the doctor came. Sure I know he will check the fe ve-, never fear that " Raymond soon put down his cup and rose. "Your drink has done me good. Nora. I will go back to the doctor and see if he needs help. You stay here," he said to Ann, and his voice was inti? mate and tender. "I will report at once." When he re-entered a few moments later his tone was cheerful.. "The doc? tor has made his examination and is confident of heading off pneumonia." Ann's face lit with joy. "Oh, did he say that?" She reached both her hands to him. "Now you can go to sleep. I will watch tonight." Together they returned to the bunga? low, and Raymond, after a moment's conversation with Braide, threw him? self on his couch. "Ah, this seems good!" he. exclaimed to Ann and fell asleep almost instantly. She drew the robe over him with careful hands and turned to Braide. "I'm so grateful to you, Dr. Braide. You are to eat supper with the Kellys. I think you would better go over to the house now. I will stay with Louis." He protested against this, but she had her will. "In case he grows rest? less," he said at the door, "call me. However, I will return in half an hour probably." A suffocating throb of tenderness rose in Ann's threat as she bent above Louis' flushed face and listened to his troubled breathing. Raymond lay in profoundest slumber, his face in shad? ow, but hi? presence was most palpa? ble and appaling. Nora came softly in. "Ann, dear, the supper is ?n the table. Go you along and eat. Sou're needed to keep the peace." "Peace between whom?" "Munro and Matt." "Is Munro there?" "He's waiting fo see you. Keep him from Matt; he's in a bad temper to? night." Ann went out with a wrinkle of vex? ation on her brow. Munro was walting just outside the door in the clear, yellow dusk. "How is the boy?'' he asked as she I drew 1'.--1 .:He is better, thank rot;. ' "Tm mighty g'lad t? near it. I was worried about him on my own account. You see he was brought to me by one of ray vedettes, and as he had a great deal of information I kept him with us." "I hope you didn't ask him to betray his friends?" "He was ready to talk." "You shouldn't have listened. He is only a boy." "It is no more than fair, lady, that one member of your household should be loyal to labor." His eyes burned into hers as he bent toward her. "What has changed you toward me?" he ask? ed, with stern abruptness. "You give me nothing but 'marble brows' these days. What have I done that you shut your door in my face?" "What you do is of no consequence to me except so far as my brother is concerned." He was too keen not to perceive his advantage. "No woman can play with me and not get cinched at some part of the game." "What do you mean?" "You know what I mean. You were amused with 'the wild man' for a time. You played me against Rob for the" fun of it, and then pulled out with Pea? body." Ann recoiled before a certain sav tgery in his voice, and, with her hand on the latch of the door, answered very slowly: "You interested me, I ad? mit. You're very amusing at this mo? ment, but you have no reason, no right, to say that I gave you the slightest en? couragement to-to take this attitude toward me. It is the baldest presump? tion on your part" At this moment Kelly opened the door. "Is it you, Ann?" He stepped aside. "Go In, girl, ye're supper's waitin'." Ann slipped in, glad to escape under the great arm which barred Munro's passage. "You stay outside," Kelly said to the young desperado, and his voice was dangerously calm. "I want a word with you. The blood of this night's work will be on your head, me lad. You can't excuse yourself by sayin' the committee demands it. You are the committee. Man, you're crazy!" The young leader laughed. "They're the crazy ones, to come up against my men on this hill with a lot of old soaks, one lungers and ex-policemen dead on their hoofs. But don't worry, there'll . be no battle-the clatter of a tin can j will scare 'em imo bug house fits. Now? Matt, let me finish what I came to say. We've been good friends, and I want to keep friends. You're a fair man, but. let me tell you, the boys are getting bitter against you independents j in this fight, ^ou hsve no business to , stand out against the union." Kelly lifted his big fist in a gesture of menace. "Listen to me, Jack Mun? ro. I've been a working miner all me . life, whilst you were at school; whilst ; you were playin' hooky and stealin' j plums, and all the years you've been I runnin' a roulette wheel I was pickin' j at the rocks. If any man is fitted to advise 'tis Matt Kelly and not a play actor and celluloid bunko steerer like y'rself. Go yer ways, Jack Munro, but lave me and mine alone. This ends it. Ye'll have no welceme from the Kel? lys' doer after this night's work, and if ye put so much as the' toe of ye're foot across me path I'll kill you for the reckless, murderin' devil that ye are!" Munro reeled under this gusty blast, but recovered himself.- "You'll be com? ing to me for help inside of twenty four hours, and you'll get it for the sake of Nora and the kids. Good night." CHAPTER X^IV. 10UIS came to himself just before midnight and recognized Ann, and though his breath was labor ed and his face lined with suf? fering it was good to feel his familiar self reaching out to her from his house cf pain. "How did you get here?" he asked. "I drove with Dr. Braide." "I'm pretty sick. I'm glad you came, sis," and he put his hand feebly into hers. "Where's Rob?" "He's sleeping. Jou must be quiet now or you'll wake him." "He's been good to me." "Sh, dearest" she pleaded. "Don't talk now. Go to sleep." "I don't want to sleep. I've slept enough. It makes my head ache worse." In the end the boy ceased to groan and twist and at last slept but Ann re? fused to go to bed. Her anxiety and the many questions pressing to be an? swered engaged her so deeply that she felt no need of sleep. Toward mid? night Braide, in despair of inducing her to sleep, stretched himself in a low chair and fell into a doze. It was exactly 2 o'clock when a single gunshot rang out sharply, like the voice of a sentinel questioning the silent night As the girl listened tense? ly, three others, deeper throated, an? swered in quick succession. Then silence again intervened for a moment only to be torn by a fusillade, a rat tat-tat of assault which brought Braide ! to his feet. j Ann hurried to Raymond, calling sharply, "Rob, they are shooting! j Don't you hear them? Quick! Quick!" j Raymond rose to bis feet dizzily and ? looked at her blankly, the mist of sleep thick in his brain. Other shots and cries followed, and though faint and 1 far they eic red his vision. Catching a belt of cartridges from the wall and ' turning to Braide he sternly asked, ? "Can you shoot?" Before Braide could answer another j shrill chorus of yells, fierce as the out- ; cry of wolves, arose, a vivid light i filled the room, and a second later a ! dull concussion shook the earth be- '?? roath their feet. Ann shrank and cowered, but Raymond, menacingly quiet, remarked: "Well, our turn has ! come. They've blown up our shaft house." "Oh, no!" cried Ann. "They wouldn't j do that. They daren't do that." "Th.-it's; what rbovVa dnr?o " vt teriv assured bei Ta^?i a thought <>u- . tcred his mind A-hlch staggered him. "Hie men-the"menTwere inlthe-mine!" he shouted and rushed into the dark? ness. Ann heard his blows upon the door of the other cabin as he called: "Boys, roll out! The power house is blown up! The men are in the mine! Quick, out with you! Buckle your guns!" Then the girl recognized Kelly's great voice. He was calling as he ran, "Rob, are ye there?" "Yes ; I'm rousing the boys." "It's the shaft house." "It looks that way." "And the men. lad; the men!** "I don't know, Matt. I've just got on my feet" So much Ann heard before the sound of their feet died away down the path. The sleepers in the bunk house began to rumble and clatter about on the j bare floors. One by one they emerged, j slamming the door behind them. Once outside the door the women could see the flames growing each mo j ment in power, licking with avid tongues at the confused mass of splin ? tered beams, and on the curtain of red i light the forms of Kelly and Raymond ! played in silhouette as they strove furi? ously against the destroyer* Their workmen soon joined them, and each moment some hastening rescuer hur? tled past the open door and as he ran cursed in bitter frenzy. "Ann!" called Louis from the bed. Faint as it was, the girl heard his cry j and hurried to his side, j "Yes, I'm here, laddie. What do you j want? How do you feel?" I "My head aches so. I can't breathe I good. He moaned. "Oh, dear, I'm so I hot." The voice of his anguish stung j Ann to the soul. With a sign to Nora. ! commanding silence, sh&jttlosed the door in the hope that D^&Qd from the burning mine would^Hffl&trate to j the bedside. Nora hurried back to her cabin, while I Braide dropped some helpful drug upon the boy's tongue. When his patient had grown quiet the young physician said: ! "If you are not afraid, I will go down. Some one may be hurt and my help re? quired." I "Go. I am not afraid," she com? manded. "Only remember your first duty is here." "I de not forget that" he answered. But even as he was collecting his outer clothing and his medicines Raymond flung the door open and entered. His hands were blackened and bleeding, his head was bare, and on his face was a look that thrilled the girl. "Doctor, three wounded men are coming up the hill. They must be made comfortable. Ann, you would better go back to Kel? ly's. These victims must be sheltered here, and they are not pleasant to see." Ann felt herself diminishing in pow? er and importance as he spoke. His voice came from the man's world harsh, inflexible-but she uttered a pro? test-"Louis!" His face softened and his hand went to his brow. "I forgot; you are right; we must not endanger him. I will have the men taken to the other cabin." "Are the men in the mine all dead?" "We can't tell. The engineer and some of the men on the dump were warned and escaped. The rest are be? low and out of our reach. We are working desperately to subdue the flames, but we are almost helpless for lack of water." "It is horrible!" His voice w?s very quiet as he said, "Munro shall answer for this!" "Did he do it?" "He did not prevent it!" He lifted his eyes to the sky. "It will soon be light and then we can see to work." He turned to leave without further explanation, but Ann called to him, "Send us word when you can, won't you?" "As soon as we know the men are alive I will come and tell you," he promised. As she watched and waited the day came leisurely, laggardly, over the hills and swarms of excited men and slattern women poured from their shacks and tents and holes in the rocks to acquire in detail the news of this midnight assault on the leaders of the independents. To do them justice, even the most virulent unionists were for the moment moved to sympathetic de? nunciation. The destruction of proper? ty was one thing, the murder of work? men quite another. As for the crews of the nonpartisans, they were ready at the word of a leader to search out and lynch those who laid the train and fired the fuse, but to all of these Ray? mond gave the same word of com? mand, "Save the men below." On the heels of this tumult as if to pile Pelion on Ossa, messengers came shouting through the sunrise: "The deputies have come! The sheriffs army is camped on the park!" Instantly the throng of idle sight? seers swept back toward the town, leaving not so much as a word of well wishing to stand in their places. The ruin of the Kelly mine became a small thing to them, now that the real battle was on. "Where Is Jack Munro?" timorous people asked. "Where are the ve? dettes?" No one seemed to know, and the officers of -the union were in a panic. The sheriff had, indeed, stolen a march on Skytown and was only wait? ing for daylight to discover his enemy. This was his capital mistake. Had he : pushed against the enemy at that mo? ment, with Munro and his men still on a wild goose chase down the opposite canyon, he might have won the hill in : a bloodless charge, but even as he dal- . lied the ^edettes came toiling up the ? trail from the south, weary, but full of ( fight, and lined out on the northern slope with the fort at their backs. And so at last the two forces of disorder- ' of passion and pr?judice-were set face : to face. Battle was now inevitable. [TO BE CONTINUED.] A ?rrecd. Wife (wearily) - Woman's work ls STATE HEALTH BOARD MEETS. Vaccination Crusade Determined Up? on and it Will Be Carried Out With Great Thoroughness. Cob.hbia, Oct. 9.-The State Board of Health at its meeting today de? voted most of the time to the ques? tion of vaccination. It was deter? mined, after full discussion, to push the matter of compulsory vaccina? tion to the extent of the law, and un? der the present law the hoard has ample power. Dr. George R. Dean, of Spartan burg, as chairman of the committee on epidemic and endemic diseases, was placed in charge of this work. Between now and May he will visit every county in the State, perfecting the board's organization of the State through agents in every county, whose duty it is to see that every per? son, blacksand white, is vaccinated. The board is especially determined to enforce vaccination among every body of congregated labor, whether in mills or shops. This is regarded as highly important, since there is prospect of an influx of laborers from other States and countries. The board will not interfere with the work of the town and city boards of health, where they are per? forming their duties properly, but wherever it is brought to the atten? tion of the board that there is lax? ness in any *town or city the board proposes to remedy the matter and compel every health board to do Its duty. Most of the town schools en? force vaccination, but the schools and colleges will not be overlooked, and it will be just as well for them to have the pupils vaccinated at once. Dr. Dean stated this afternoon that since the Spanish war the State has not been free ?from smallpox and the only way in which the disease can be eradicated is to institute a campaign of systematic vaccination which will reach every person in the State. Al? ready this fall three or four cases have been reporaed from different sections of the State- and there wlli be more if vaccination is not insisted upon. The board also confirmed the transfer of the quarantine station at Charleston and other coast points to the Federal Government in accor? dance with the Act passed by the Legislature. This relieves the State board of health of a matter which they felt unable to handle satisfacto rilly. Those present at the meeting w<*r?: Dr. T. Grange Simons, of Charleston; president; Dr. George D. Dean, of Spartanburg; Dr. W. H. Nardin,, of Anderson; Dr. Robert Wilson, Jju. of Charleston; Dr. A. A. Moore, of Cam? den, and Dr. James Evans, of Flor? ence, secretary. LAW ABIDING MARLBORO. Bennettsville, Oct. 8.-At 4 o'clock this afternoon, Richard Dargan was sentenced to be hanged on Oct. 19, for criminal assault Judge Hudson rushed the trial through, taking only half hour for dinner. Mrs. Patterson, heavily veiled, told of the crime. After she and her two children retired a man called and tried to get her out. She refused, and he attempted to break in. She and the children ran in their night clothes toward John Pearson's, a ne? gro, nearby. The man caught her on the way and accomplished his pur? pose. She recognized her assailant as Richard Dargan, whom she knew well. She and the children screamed for help. The children ran on to the negro house, and she followed them as soon as she could, all screaming, so that the people nearly a mile away heard them. Person and his wife, to whose house they went, said they were awakened by the screams. Th?r children ran in and told them that a man had mama. She came a little later, excited and exhausted, and told them that Richard Dargan had com? mitted the crime. She got the negro to come to Bennettsville for her brothers. Mrs. Patterson's 11-year old daughter corroborated her evi? dence. Several negroes saw Dargan in the neighborhood that night, and he told one that he wanted to hug Mrs. Patterson. He was captured in a swamp next day. Dargan went to the stand and de-? nied the crime. He was defended by J. W. Legrand, appointed by the court. Newton & Owens prosecuted. There was a large crowd of specta? tor?, but no demonstration. Every? body, white and black, semed to want Dargan to get a fair trial and his just deserts. Both races univer? sally approve the verdict *Can you win? You realize that to win in anything these days requires strength!, with mind and body in tune. A man or woman with disordered di? gestive organs is not in shape for a day's work or a day's play. How :an they expect to win? Kodol for dyspepsia contains the digestive juices of a healthy stomach and will put your stomach in shape to per? form its important function of sup? plying the body and brain with strength building blood. Digests what you eat. relieves indigestion.