North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-03-08

Max wasshut one year her senior, gay, hand
some, generous and high souted. Before
she had been a week in his presence, Francis
found out whether she was TO old and grave
to love. Ks step would crimson her face
with bushes, the touch of his fingers on hers
thrilled her for hours afterwards with sub
tie sense of delight. She awoke with sort
of helpless horror. She could not speak and
send him away, for her lightest word would
reveal that she had given her heart unsougnt
So the farce went on. The Squire still
played the generous lover, and was genial and
happy Francis grew pale and wretched and
Chesney was never at ease. They mutually
avoided each, Francis Chesney but ole day
in April they met on the feles, couple of
miles from home, Francis had been search
ing for blue violets, Chesney had been down
ints the coal mine to look at the operations
Of the miners.
He had just emerged from the shaft when
Francis paused. He spoke to her, telling her
something of the gloomy darkness below,
Some impulse moved her to go and look down
the shaft.
Il should like to look up at this" she said
inadvertently.
The miners had just come up to dinner
One Of them overheard her. ''Nothing easi-
er, Mss" he said, touching his cap, "we let
6own dozens of ladies' every week. Just
step into the basket, and you can go down
and back again Il moment"
She stepped in; Chesney followed her
quickly. She would have stopped him, bat
it was too late, The cord was being rapidly
unwounl. They were descending swiftly
They touched the bottom, and, looking up,
saw only the minute circular hole filed with
daylight.
Chesney spoke to his companion. "Win
you get out and look father"
ono, no ! she said with shlrer Let US
so back instantly"
He put up his hand to give the signal of
return to those above, but it fell back pow
eriess to his side. A pale blue fash of light
illuminated the blackness-there was noise
as If the solid universe were rent-a fearful
sense Of sulToca.ion filed the air and tbon
ofar off thew heard the rrsb and ourola of
water.
"G,o1 God =, crie1 Chasnav -ss,b. f,o-
damp"
Frances clung to him bhndIv-sbe forpo,
in that terrible moment of periI the existence
Of John Evejvn-foroot evervtbi,o b,t that
she loved better than life or hone Max Ches-
new. Max realized everything at a glapce.-
To hope for aid from above was futile
The whole shaft had been filled IN. The
only avenue to safety was cut off The host
he could DO was to labor for a few more mo
mcnts orlL I, o,.pId ord n l,o,l, 49,,
tually. ..
He lilled Francis some feet above to q she'll
of rock, an d climbed up beside her. She
clung to him like q child-he took her into
his arms and soothcd her as if he had bean .
very babe.
She spoke at last, Quietly he started TO
II am not afraid, Max. I am only hap
py,"
He clasped her convulsively.
"Franc;s, darling! May speak now 3
Oh, | have loved you from the very first. but
tried to be honorable for his sake. He is 50
noble, and so generous. But now # is no
wrong to him to understand each other. Kiss
me, Frankie"
"On the other side she said s;,,n,v CT,
this worI dmy lips belong only to him. Have
patience little longer.
He acquiesed, aod restraining the impulse
that craved her close against his breast, he
only sat with his arm around her, her hands
IN his.
1t seemed ages to hem, but it was only a
lew moments, ere the terrible stiffness that