The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 11, 1906, Page 2

may debase and of which they Jemsclves the guardians re themselves slaves to.a low] but surely eating while they delude them- AT its masters. The 10, arrest that man! 1 to further insult! eried rly lvid with rage s on his feet In an in- re on guns and faces eye was directed whom the com- ; a false move on the man only smiled. even bland-fke he looked ? eves of the angry mistake,” he said, w to be mietaken, 2 Lo order my ar- your life—is fn my this moment. mean?’ demanded the into the query vour well being is so th that the two are ou 1 id that I have these m I have—to § cér- I have exercised that power to prevent a clash v of hired fight- outrageous Wwork you and now seek to sup- and the men you rebellion. There is a rowever, and it is demanded the to make a last appeal to earing; to inves- r yourself the justice of give them fair play and nd the treatment a hu- . 1 came to appeal to consider the lives see how all this establishes ic bétween us,” impa- ed the president ke it clear to you. Down In I over among the hills are gry and deflant and spoiling »sed to them are S0 or a couple of hundred men against whom the » have a special grievance. We are nearest point from e can be obtained; figure : rself. 1f I fafl to leave fice within fifteen minutes, or give evidence that 1 am free to do so, you answer#for it. You are the whom their hatred is di- are the man with whom reckoning. 1:don’t think ndue stress upon the seri- )f the situation ou h or not is imma- Hillman, very shortly. atend to argue the question, end to give you the advan- itating a conflict for which well prepared: I will give k this afternoon to me fig of your figh 200 miles from which assistar it for yo ome to such understanding with your foilowers you deem advisable. You will then have the option of placing your- self in charge of Colonel Delefield, or ompelling him to take vou by force The responsibility of the conflict of armed T es, if such there be, will there- fore devolve upon you. This is my final word,” declared ‘the president, as he urned away. Again that change of features—that ba perceptible smile—as the young with a parting glance at the great turned and left the office. Colone] Delefield, you are thoroughly familiar with the situation. I wish my sitimatum to that man carried out to the letter,” said Mr. Hillman, with irritating sharpness “That, sir, I decline most emphatically to @o,” promptly- declared the old war- horse “Do I understand that you refuse to do your duty—to arrest the man who has in- cited the rebellion?’ demanded the presi- ! regarding the other almost in- credulously 1 do, most emphatically, in the light the of my present understanding of situation,” replied the colonel, unhesi- tatingly. in your mind Do you require Is there any doubt as to his culpability? any further proof? As for his bold talk—a mere bluff, not to be seriously considered. It is part of the game he s playing. He is simply using these or fools to accomplish his own ends; but when he finds that we are In sober earnest he will very quickly come to terms. He is only a blustering boy car- ried away by the little brief authority he exercises over these men.” He is a man if I ever saw one,” voldly declared the colonel. “So far he has on)y been playing with you. When you fifed your heaviest guns he only smiled. Show me a man that can smile in the face of danger and I'll show you a man—every inch of him—and a bad man to fool with.” “You seem to possess a great ad- miration for this young man,” said the president, looking at the other search- ingly. ‘I know a man when I see one; there are some men I want to know I have a fight with before 1 start one.” “You leave me no alternative but to belleve that your very great respect for this particular man leads to an eva- sion of your duty—" “Don’t make any more mistakes gruffly interposed the old soldler. *“I was sent down here to maintain order, and T'll do 1t! But I don’t take any or- ders from you or @io any of your dirty work. Tm not on your pay roll and you don’t own the United States Gov- ernment. at least not all of It—yet”; and the old fellow stamped angrily out of the office, leaving the disgruntled chief alone with his faithful followers. CHAPTER IL The Great Man's Daughter. Constance Hillman was the almost con- start companion of her father on his an- nual tripe. It was her season of rest and recuperation from the demands of an exacting society, and as much as she ever enjoyed anything she enjoyed these few weeks of careless indolence. Her father left her very much to her own de- vices, as he had little time or thought for anything but the matters of business which seemed to occupy his every waking moment. She spent the greater part of the time in her own private acartment, reading, sleeping, or gazing idly out of the window. She occasionally allowed herself to be entertained by some of the business assoclates of her father, but for the most part these men falled to in- terest her There were exceptions, however, and Mr. Charles Francis Herringdon was proving rather a notable one. Business, that ever present bugbear, which seemed ever drawing men into ite power and absorbing them body and soul, had not yet worked its spell over this young man. Mr. Herringdon wes a young million- afre of a business turn of mind, as he rather prided himself, who had lately be- come assoclated with her father in sev- eral of his enterprises, and was making his first trip of inspection of the prop- s, a follower rather than a worker— a necessary part of the machinery of the several companies in which he was a director. He voted as pleased the head of the company, and in this he was use- ful. The urgency of the call and the haste to reach the scene of disturbance was di- verting and became mildly exciting. The directors discussed the situation in all its bearings, and speculated upon the best means of bringing the men to terms. Their displeasure was most pronounced against the man who appeared to.be the leader of the men. Had the man been as black as the reports made him he was a dangerous character to be at large, and the young woman doubted not that such was the case. 3 She was aloné in the car this morning. For some reason her books seemed dull and uninteresting. She tried one after another only to find each a Nftle more stupid than the other. Throwlng them impatiently aside she went out on the platform of the car, where she stodd for some time looking at the strange.scene spread out before her. The fresh moun- taln- air inspired her with a desire for exercise. She stepped duwn from the car and locked about her, undectded which way to go. . ou ain’t gwain awa Miss?’ queried tartled volce. ’ a Only for a short walk. Sam,” she re- pited, rather impatiently. “Better not go far, Miss: Mister Hill- man give old Sam fits—sure enough!” he protested, to which the young woman pald no heed She lked slowly- up - the: rising ground frem where & better view of the valley could be obtained. She had not proceeded far, however, - before she came upon a well beaten trail, which wound around the hill to one side of the town and doubtless continued on to the mines whose smoking stacks she could see In the distance. She made her way along the path, occasionally stopping and looking across the valley or up at the towering mountain peaks from some point of vantage. Once she sat down and watched for some time the strange movements of a number of men down below. She continued her walk apparently unconscious of the distance she had gone, when a burly form suddenly loomed up in front of her and barred her way. “Sorry, Miss, but you cap't go be- yant,” sald the mau.in strong- Hiber- nian accents.= “And Wwhy not, pray?”’ she demanded, somewhat startled. ‘Orthers, Miss.” “Whose orders—what asked, mechanically. “The boss, Miss—not to lave the Givil himself @xin' you pardon, Miss) go beyant me.” “Al, yes, I ‘understand,” she sald, somewhat relleved, *“My father's or- ders, no doubt; I am Miss Hillman. I will go up in that little grove and rest a while before returning.” “Sorry, Miss—it's too bad you said a word—aivil a word.” “What do you mean?” “Sure, Miss, this. be the enemy's camp; - your name is a password I wouldn't take for the life of me—axin’ your pardon again, Miss.” “Indecd! And so the men who gave you the orders is Mister Bill—the man who 1s opposing my father?" . . “Yes, Miss—Mister Bill, his own self. Sure he would let you through—" “I‘have mo desire ~.to trespass. I shall rerurn immediately.” and: tarning abruptly she started back, only to find herself confronted by another-man who came swinging briskly-along. the trail. “Pardon me—you are.returning to town? You will hardly-be able to pass that way,” he told her. “And why not, pray?”’ she demanded, regarding him severely. “It is but a few moments sinee I came this way." “] dare say; but a force of . men have just been stationed a short distance back with orders to allow no one to pass.” - “And was it all done for my especial benefit? Am I such a very .dangerous character ehat I must be so carefully guarded against? It is the doings.of that urspeakable man, Mister Bfll, I pre- sume. “Well, yes, 1 believe the men are act- ing under his instructions, now that you mention it.” . “What -an . intensely disagreeable man he must be!” she exclaimed in great disgust. “It seems as though I had heard nothing the past two days but the mention of his odious name, and now. I am confronted by his orders whichever way I turn.” \ “I regret your -displeasure exceed- ingly—" “Oh, 1 would like to meet him face to face! I would at least tell him what I think -of him and his outrageous—" She was interrupted by a strange exclamation, and turning indignant- 1y upon the offender could discern only the inscrutdble back of Jerry, the faithful sentinel, who seemed to be deeply absorbed in a study of the dis- tant mountain peaks. “Nevertheless, 1 shall take my chances. Somébody should be dealt with severely for this outrageous treatment. Let me pass, sir.” “To {nsure you against further an- noyance this man will accompany ou.” . > “I refuse to be placed under guard. 1 do not require, nor shall’ L"accept an escort. Oh, thix is monstrous!” “You will pardon my insistence; you will not be able to pass the guard— the orders are imperative.” “What is the meaning of these strange doings? Is the country ina state of revolution: or are we being invaded by an armed foe? In any event I refuse to return to town under guard. 1 shaill remain right here for the present.” “You will again pardon me,” he sald, gently but firmly, “but it is imperative that you showld return to town. and at once. You should not have ventured so far away: your friends will be need- lessly alarmed by your absence. Their anxiety for your safety may seriously complicate matters. I must insist that you sccept the escort of this man.” “Oh!” she angrily exclaiméd. “To be ordered. about and forbidden this and that, and finally given in charge of a—desperado for aught I know—he certainly looks like one,” she declared, bestowing & crushing glance on poor Jerry. “Our way€ and our people are as rough and crude as the country, but like the rich treasure in yonder moun- tain side, you will find many an honest heart concealed by a rough exterior. You will suffer no embarrassment, Miss Hillman,” he told her, very simply, as Jerry, in obedience to a nod from him, proceeded to lead the way down the trail. He stood for a moment . watching the young woman and her escort, and was about turning away when every sense became suddenly on the alert. Turning slowly around, apparently in- terested in something transpiring down in the valley, but steadily watch- orders?’ she ing one spot on the ground to the left. of ‘him, his right hand was gradually side. Suddenly facing squarely about, .« in which he was ipterested. He raised until it rested on the gun at his at his watch and heaved a sigh of sat- presence of the other directors. isfaction. When several minutes had “When we understund each other, it will be time and drawing his gun with the same passed and no ‘move had been mdde he enough to submit our views to those in- movement, he leveled it fair at a figure sent one of his clerks to ascertain the terested with us.” crouching behind a rock but distance away. “How_the devil?”" exclaimed the man, too surprised for the moment to change his position. X 2 “Coming events cast their shadows, Tenderfoot. Put up that gun—come down here,” he ordered. 3 “I wasn't going to shoot,” led ihe other, putting away his gun in obedience to the command. and sham- bling out from iis hiding place. “What's your game?’ he demanded, a short sludylng his man closely as he came toward him, “No game. You didn't think I was going to shoot—'y “I'll tell you, as you seem to have some scruples about it yourself. You had not fully decided whether my life or death would be more to vantage.” “No ‘use denying there are so; would. like to see you out ot'd?:evtv:;t: they wouldn't lose much sleep if you h;\gpeued to meet with an accldent and—" “Accidents have a market value? How are they rated to-day?" he demand- ed, regurding the culprit with something llkgL pl;eo}\lu contempt. “Look here, Mister Bill, I kn don't lfke me, and I don't say but"y'ci-{':g #o0d enough cause for it, but I can be of use to you.. I know what the other side are ©ip to and—" 3 4 “Such information also has a market value?” / X ben = r “Why not? weil for t.” You are an impossible element in the consideratfbn, Tenderfoot. We are fighting for right and justice—for our very man- hood. You and your kind are not eligible to fight under that banner.” “You've made a good fight, and damn me, if I didn’t hate you I'd like to see vou win. I've-no love for the crowd I'm with: they pay me well—that's all 1 ask. But they'll beat you in the end; the Old . Man will just wear you out if he can't get you any other way." “And you would advise me to make terms with the Old Man, which inciden- tally will benefit you in some way, 1 pre- sume?"! ¢ “I'm not saying it wouldn't; but that's neither here nor there. 'The Old Man would jump at a. chance to buy you off. He would rather have you with him than against him. He knows you're worth more to him than the whole crowd he has around him. You could name your own price and—" ‘‘Hand over Consolidated Pro) sell out my frien Truly, you are a master of villainy.” “You could satisfy the whole ecrowd, and your conscience at the same time with the money yolu would get out of it; it will * be better than losing it all, as you surely Wil if you persist in fighting the Oid Man. He can give you everything a man has any use for; wealth, power, position— even a wife. Just play your tards right and you'll be a bigger man-than the Old Man himself.” ‘‘Tenderfoot, I believe you pollute the very atmosphere,'” said the other, turning away in disgust. -“Don’t be a fool!'" exclaimed: Ténder- foot, with angry earnestness. “I'll tell you something now that perhaps you don’t know. Bven if wyou' beat the Old Man—which is supposing more than will ever happen—you're not out of the woods: The old crowd is still.on your trall and ‘ready to take up the fight where the Old Man-leaves off—one or: the other is bound- ito, let"):m" ¥ e > “Than] h{«g} LT&nflq(oo’g-qu. You could afford topay rties and ‘enderfoot, -now,” .sald. .tie. young )y ‘better grace might have been ex: pected. Las Xk 3 % A smile which gradually developed into broad proportions Jighted up his face as he made his way over the hill. “Tenderfoot,” he sald aloud, glancing back at the disappearing figure, “I must see that no harm comes to you: your pe- culiar talent must be turned to some good account.” 5 CHAPTER IV. The Master Hand. Chris Engler swung himself down from the cab of the big mountain climber which stood panting and heaving before the little statlon of Gold Dust. He glanced. uneasily at his watch and then looked searchingly around, but appar- ently found little to satisfy. him. Me- chanically he walked around the big ma- chine, Jooking into an .oil-cup here, wiping a bearing there, and testing a boit In another place. This was the third time .Chrig had made the same round—some- your ad- % of the delay. G “No engineer!” he exclaimed, incred- ulously. “What's the meaning of this? 1 gave positive Instructions that we should start promptly at & o'clock,” and he went out to investigate for him- self. s = “1 don’t know, sir,” tendent, helpless] happened to~ old founad.” “Well, give me another mawn,” said the president, Impatiently. “My time is too valuable to be fooled away by a drunken enginecer. Move lively, now.” “Sorry, sir, but there ain’t another man in the camp that can take No. 10 down the mountain. There's only two on the road that-we trust with a pas- senger, and the other is down below.” “Let the! fireman taks us down; I dafe say he can do it if necessary,” said thé exasperated president, after a mo- ment's thought.* . “I don't reckon that Chris will under- take the Job—we'll see what he says,” said the superintendent, leading the way forward where the fireman was pacing up and down beside his glant chn\.e. 2 Mont—he can't be sir,” sald Chris, slowly shaking his head, “I don't callate 1 ought to ndertake the job. If ’twere only a freight I'd do it in a minute.” “I was not aware that it was such a difticult feat to take a train a few miles down a mountain—to a man who is supposed to know his business,” said the president, with ill concealed dis- gus! 's a powerful grade, sir, and she has to get the alr just right, or she might get away from me. Anyhow, it's no time to experiment with a carload of people behind me,” Chris insisted. “1 guess Chris is about-right,” said the superinterident. Mr. Hillman turned away in disgust, d returnéd to his car, apparently de- riving little satisfaction from the as- sertions of the men that the missing engineer might turn up at any moment. A half hour later the situation re- mained unchanged, except, perhaps, for the growing uneasiriess on the part of the president and his party, and a ru- mor that was spreading around the town of their predicament, which caused a genera] movement of the crowd to- ward the station. Some were Inclined to regard it is a huge joke on the “old man,” but others saw in it a deeper meaning. “The old man ain’t gone yet,” sald Hank Kilburne, as he rode in among the crowd at the station and pulled up beside one of his deputles. “Nary &« move. The old fellow may be on hand after all when the fun be- gins. I reckon he don't hanker much after that part of the game,” said the other. “I suspicion there may be them as have taken it upon themselves to in- vite him to stay—there's something mysterious goin’ on. The old man is doin’ the guessin’ jest about now.” said Ed Belden, who had just ridden up. “The crowd is gettin’ mighty uneasy— there's got to be a show-down purty soon,” he added, glancing around at the rapidly increasing crowd. “The old man's gettin' nervous,” said Hank, as the president appeared on the platform and looked about him. “He don’t like lho,lo;:l of t‘l:‘lnn. and I'low 1 don’t bl n much.” \ ;*The .,bl:;? r ‘ yonder are wettin’ “Jor trouble,” said Ed, a moment 1 s he discerned a movement among the rs, “and the crowd over on the e idving this - way. There's trouble comin' fast “It's up to Mister Bfll; and 1 'low I hope he knows What he's doin'.” ¥ _“'Bout time he was showin’ up, 'pears to. me,” growled Hank. ‘““Wouldn't take much to set things to goin’ 'bout now.” At a quarter of five, when Colonel Dele- field with the greater part of his com- mand appeared upon the scene and quiet- ly stationed his men around the station, and in various commanding positions, the crowd numbered close upon two thou- sand, and was rapldly increasing; inci- dentally, it was fast developing the tem- per of the mob. It was a strange—a dangerous erowd of human beings. Hundreds of those breasts heaved with pent-up passions— passions as primeval ag ever beat in hu- man .forms. The instinct of self-preser- vatfon—the instinct of the wild animal that turns upon and rends itself—was the force that must be reckoned with. There were those who knew the temper of that crowd; they knew they were powerless to control it. Only a master hand could thing ‘Wea Slearly wxiien. ‘hoiw it in check—the master hand was Orders had been issued.that a special train ~with President Hillman's private car attached should go.out at 4 o'clock. A half hour before, Mont . Lang. the driver of the engine, had hurriedly left the round house in response to an urgent summons from his home. It lacked but a few minutes of .the hour, and he had not returned. £ v After: the: meeting In the forenoon President Hillman had very quickly de- cided that he could conduct his campaign to better advartage from a distance. He was compelled to admit that the situation was rather more serfous than he had an- ticipated, and, what was even more em- barrassing, not to say awkward, his au- thority had been set at naught by the man from whom he had expected the greatest assistance. Colonel Delefleld had openly defied him; but there were, thanks to a great and just government, those from whom he would be compelled to take orders. The ringleader rshould be ar- rested and his pldns carrled out, and it fighting there must be, it was not neces- sary that he should be a party. to it; the men had brought it 'on themselves, _and’ they must abide the consequences. In a later interview: with Colonel Dele-, Tfield, while' adoptirig less “aggressive tac- tics than ha had previously employed, he made it clear to that officer that or- “ders would shortly “come from a,source’ which could not be ‘disregarded, and . it would be best fqr all concerned—especially for Colofel Delefield—to perform duty, and arrest the man who was clearly re- ble for the existing state of affairs, in he refused to give himself up at the hour appointed. L Down in the town as the hours went. by the men became more and more im- _ patient. Apparently nothing from' which. any satisfaction: coild be derived had transpired at the X noon. Rumors flew thick and fast, some based on facts, others chiculated to dis- courage the men or create dissensions among them. The mun on whom they pinned their faith and with whose for- tunes they had linked their own had been given the cholce of surrendering him-_ self to the enemy, or suffering ‘forcible arrest at § o'clock. He had given no sign of his intentions—he had only said wait. They would not frustrate his plans—it plans he had—by disobeying his -orders. They would walt until 5 o’clock—that was the time he had asked. But—and each man sald it with deadly earnestness— there should be no arrest. With rest. ‘nm’n.:flmt nnzh;l last no but to fight. X .u‘io'oxnck President Hillman looked AT = sgrely needed. Over the hill from the direction of Con- solidated Properties apepared a horseman. Down the hill and along the dusty road- way he came, leaving a cloud of dust be- hind. Straight on through the stragglers on the outskirts of the town, on through the mass of human beings gathered about the station, straight to the plat- form of the president’s car he rode be- fore drawing rein. A strange hush fell upon thé scene where but a moment be- fore strife was In the very atmosphere. The crowd waited with bated breath—it was withholding judgment. . “Well, young man, I am glad to see that you have come to your senses,” sald Hillman, looklng down at his op-- “You *“No, I have come to talk business,” briefly replied the young man, as he swung himself out of ‘the saddle. “Business!” ‘angrily exclalmed the president, ‘“‘there’s no business that we can discuss. I should have left here an our ago:“l am leaving at any minute. o8 - ““There 15 ample time to discuss our af- fairs,” coolly replied the other as well tell you frankly, that you will .not' leave:the camp until we come to a thorough understanding” “You ' threaten me?’ demanded the man, angrily - 4 I ant speaking plainly; I cannot afford to do otherwise, mor can you afford to have me.” . “And so you and your unscrupulous followers are e for the sudden ce ; you are keeping me ‘here by force. This is in- famous—a fool act for which you wiil pay dearly—mark mel” - ¢ *If there is any fighting to be done I intend that you shall bear a certain por- tion of the responsibility, inasmuch as it will be done at your insistence. Now, then, is it business, or—fight?"" “I might have suspected such treachery. You have me again at'a disadvantage. have no doubt you are foolish and k- less enough to carry out your threats. For the sake of my friends—my daugh- ter—I am compelled to listen to you. Will ou o! 01 utral :rvunl:fl\" auirea the “prestdeat.” with “No, sir,” . % : omflnlly replied the you ) as he ““Come into my private apartment,” said Mr. Hillman, leading the way. “Now, then, what is this business—what de you want?"” “I want ali the suits and injunctions pending against Consolidated Propertics ‘withdrawn at once. I want you to relin- said the superin- quish your claims against certain other a4 rush the y. “Something has' Dropertles on which vou have no JUSt gyestle and struggle with itself. and to claim. I want a well defined policy for the future and a complete change in your methads of bufiness—this for myself, and my company. For the men—your men—] bespeak your consideration. They only ask for fair treatment. You cannot do less in justice to yourself, to say nothing of justice to them, than to.give it to them.” “Your demands are exceedingly modest, young man,” sai{d Mr. Hillman with con- temptuous sarcasm. ‘Do you think I have no alternative but to submit to your dictation. Are you fool enough to think that T would be bound by any promises made under threats pf bodily injury?” ‘No. Threats mean but little unless backed by the power to enforce them. I happen to have that power.” “In that case I advise you to show your hand—this {s no time for idle words. ‘What is this wonderful power vou hold?” demanded the president, with irritable impatience. ‘‘The raflroad—this railroad,” replied the young man, with :forcible emphasis. ““Consolidated Properties and its friends control The Mexico Consolidated Rafl- road.” 3 “It's false!” cried the astonished cbief. ‘It's false—you canpot deceive me with such a fool trick. I happen to know just where the control of the rallroad rests: I have made it my business to know. and before long it will be under the control of the Eastern Syndicate.” “It is no trick, but the ‘solemn truth which T can prove to your satisfaction. While you have been attempting to se- cure control of the rallroad by the same unscrupulous methods vou employed to galn possession of the mines. @ corpora- tion fn which Consolidated Properties is the principal holder has been acquiring stock, and today secured the controlling interest.” “Even 507" “Your mines—yaur entire property in this district—are therefore practically in our power.” “Am I to understand that you threaten to use that power to compel me to accede to your outrageous demands?” -inquired the ' president, considerably subdued by the sudden turn of affairs. “Precisely—if you force me to that sextent. I ask only simple justice for myeelf and the men whose fight I have made my own because our interests were one. We were compelled to fight for our very existence.” “This is a matter that T must lay be- fore my directors; we must have time 1o consider,” sald the president. finally. “Very well, sir. I will return in an hour for your decision.” The feelings of a certain young wo- man were too conflicting to permit of analysis whife this interview was in progress. She had made a sudden and disconcerting discovery. She had been in the power of this same unscrupulous man; she had even told him—what had she told him? She watched him as he mounted his horse and rode away thréugh the crowd, which quletly dis- persed apparently in obedience to a few words from him—the crowd that but a few iiinutes before was a wild, peering mob of which she stood in mortal ter- _ror.' What Strange power did he hold over'these men? Slkie knew not what to make of such a man, nor could Mr. A evidently fired at random; the first shat- tering a pane of glass in-one of the sa- loons and the second kicking up a small cloud of dust in the _street. A rapid scampering to get under cover and a wild rush from all sides followed this secqnd display of care- less marksmanship, and the reckigss in- ebriate._who had so hrazenly courted trouble suddenly found it closing in about him. In the excitement of the first crowd seemed to literally the angry desire of each man to lay violent hands on the offender may be at- tributed his momentary respite from Its summary vengeance. Suddenly above the muttered growls and es a warning cry was raised. A horse and rider came tearing down the street at breakneck speed, and not until the animal seemed about tq plunge into the very midst of the struggling mass dld the rider draw violeat rein, bringing his horse to his haunches, scattering men right and left, and enveloping the erowd in a cloud of the heavy yellow dust that _lay inches deep on the roadway. - “Mister BIlI'" eried a chorus of the on- lookers, who had recognized the reckless rider from their various ‘points of vant- age. "‘deer{opt was lookin' for him, and now he’s found him,* sarecastically ob- served one of a group of bystanders. “I don't callate he had any pressin’ business with him—'peared sort of hur- ried like, the way he lit intd that crowd,” said another. Simultaneously with the pulling up his horse the man had thrown himself from the saddle, and before the crowd had re- covered .from the surprise occasioned by his unceremonious arrival he had forced .his way into.its very midss, and was standing face to face with the man who but a moment before was proudly pro- claiming his desire for such a meeting. As the new-comer was recognized the tension on all sides seemed suddenly to relax, and as ome man the crowd fell slowly back. For a brief interval of strange and almost ominous quiet the two .men regarded each other in silence. “T'll trouble you for that gun,” he said, and the cool insistence of his demand seemed to leave the other no alternative but to hand over the troublesome shooter. “I believe that is your horse,” he con- tinued, in the same even voice, dropping the gun carelessly into his pwn side strap, and indicating by a nod of his head the animal In question, “and the next time you have business in this camp your firework: be dispensed with—io your advanta he added, significantly. He_ stood quietly watching the move- ments. of the now thoroughly cowed and considerably sobered belligerent, who lost no time in mounting his norse and mak- ing off down the trafl. Turning to the expectant crowd, which seemed at a loss to_understand this informal disposition of so dangerous a character, a good-natured smile spread slowly over his bronzed countenance. “Sorry, boys,” he said, “to break into your game so abruptly, but the fact is I have a special interest in that cbap, and I don’t want any harm to come to him— just yet...You gave him a lesson he will not soon forget.” *All right, Mister Bill, if you're willin" to let it go at that, guess we can stand it,”” repiled. ome of the rough fellows, which seemed to voice the gemeral. senti- ment, and the crowd quickly. dispersed. “Come on, Mexico!” he. called, as he took leave-of_his companions, and made his way brigkly along. .the sidewalk, “gome -on. old.chap, we'll gp to break- fast,” glancing over his sheulder to see that his summons.was obeyed, . Turuing abruptip from-the main strees, “Herringdon throw much light upon this . he struck,off up the hill, Mexico follow- partfeular subject. - Late that night the littlé town was a scene of great rejoicing when it became known that a satisfactory understa: ing” had heen reached between the di- rectors of the Eastern Syndicate and the representatives of the men, and that work in the mines would be re- sumed without delay. FEarly In the morning the regular train, to which was attached the private car of Presi- dent Hillman, pulled out on schedule time, old Mont occupying his accustom- ed seat in the cab. The soldiers also took their departure next day, much te the satisfaction of the townspeople, as well as the men themselves, including their blunt old colonel, who was too much of a soldier to relish such duty as he had been called upon to perform. CHAPTER V. “Daddle.” Although peace had been declared and each side seemed desirous of adjusting itself to the new conditions as rapldly as possible, there was more or less friction, which gave indications of smoldering fires. The heat of passion had been too thoroughly aroused to be at once laid cold. The services of the strike-breakers and the crowd of deputies and fighting men were no longer required; a goodly number of the latter, however, seemed in no hurry to take their departure, and im- mediately proceeded to whoop things up at a Nvely rate, and made themselves still more conspicuous by loud threats against certain individuals who had Incurred their displeasure. Their presence was a men- ace to the peace of the community; they were keeping alive a spirit of resentment which sooner or later must find expres- sion. The townspeople were In no moéod to be trifled with; they had rights which must be respected. The day following the departure of the soldlers came the first outbreak, which for a brief moment seemed likely to develop serious conse- quences, but the pfomptness with which it was suppressed seemed to have a salu- tary effect oh thé belligerents. The quiet of the early morning was sud-’ denly broken by the ominous reports of three shots following one after the other in quick succession. In main street of the little' town became a scene of wild excitement. Shopkeepers, with thelr sarly morning patrons, rushed to their doors; unkempt heéads protruded from second-story windows; blear-eyed and surly stragglers lurched awkwardly out of the saloons; the small restaurants and Chinese chophouses added their quota - to motley throng. All eyes were im- me ly focused upon a strange-appear- ing individual who had taken up a posi- tion in tne middle of the street and in loud but somewhat incoherent speech was proclaiming his ability to maintain it against all comers. .{nm recklessly flourishing his shooting-iron, and inspired doubtless by his rapidly Increasing audi- ence proceeded to cast maledictions of an equally confuged character upon the com- mupity at large, and upon one Mister Bill 21 particular, against whom he seemed to ave a enough,” growled the proprietor of the leading mercantile establishment, as he his windows place—it's jest 'romd‘gm‘loun. ¥ e y admonished, “no tellin’ where the " will strike.” tered the car and found themselves in the' Crack! Crack! followed two more shots, (== twinkling the’ 't ts. ~a-“:ing close behind and wazging his cars with equine consciousness :of this spe- cial mark of attention from his muster. From several of the small cabins came hearty salutations and an occaslonal invitation to:stop and have a “bite,” which were all good-naturedly deelined without- interruption to the brisk pace he was setting until one more peremp- tory than the others seemred te compel a momentary halt. ‘Mornin’, Mister " Bil called a cheery feminine volce from ‘the porch of the last cabin. “Jim ‘lowed you might stop and have a snack with him. Dad sent us up sorhe bran-new store coftee, and Jim says I beat anything hs ever did see makin’ ranch biscuit—and I 'low I jest about beat mysell this mornin’.” “Ah, Molly, you are a sad tempter! You certainly do know my weakness,”. he laughed, pausing for a moment, “bu you must excuse me this time. Ling gave me strict orders to return to breakfast. Something very mysterious is going on—he has some great surprise for me. You see, I can't take any chances.” He swung briskly along the tortuous trail, but had not proceeded far before' he discovered a strange figure but a short: distance ahead of him. As he came up with the mysterious stranger, she suddenly turned and confronted " he exclaimed, in evident surprise. I thought you—" “Yes, you thought I was dead. Well, 1 am-—to everything decent and re- spectable. This miserable body . still breathes, but dad’s girl is dead,” she re- plied, in a harsh, metallic voice, with an evident effort to repress any natural feeling she might have felt. “Where- have. you been all these years, Daddie?” he inquired, with kind- 1y interest.- "(?h\f from bad to worse pretty much all the time, I reckon. It ain’t so hard when everybody gives you a kick to’ help you along. - From the time Ten- derfoot came to our camp aver there In Coloradoe with- his smooth tongue, and 1 beHeved ‘his fine promises, and broke dad's old heart, I've been om that trail. Don't think I want your pity—I didn't come up here for that,” she hastened to assure him, as if ashamed of the mo- mentary weakness she had allowed hers self. ’ “No, Daddfe—I understand. Go on,” he told her kindly, as if he read her t ain't a fair deal—the cards are stacked—when a smooth-tongued devil can play his game to the limit with a young un' that don't know no more about the world than she learned from her old dad and some rough old miners, and who never had any companions but the wild things she found in the woods and made friends with because she was almost as wild as they,” she told him, with bitterness of subdued heart pain and remorse. “But you know all about it. and I'm only wasting your time wheg I've no business even speaking to “Where do you live, Daddie—what are you doing here?. “T live ddwn there among the shan- ties—in hell. I came up here this morning to warn you. Teaderfoot would do you "harm If he could—he hates you from the bottom of his wicked hlul‘-.m is jealous of your o:nu%';m there all night, and Bad ou on the Rip af Hst. and was