Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-05

all are out. Shall he save three, and we
shirk from oneP"
In the mean time at the mouth of the
mine, the groups Of miners were work
ing faithfully over the senseless figures
the car brought, ono at time, TO the
fresh outer mir. Fannie Germaine, while
and with dead weight on her heart, was
active in this work, cbaGng the cold
hands, pouring brandy in tho white lips,
working steadily ane faithfully.
Cropping, seeing the still figures before
them. as only men accustomed TO the
darkness of the mines could see them,
the band OF workers inside passed one
alter another OF the senseless miners
through the narrow opening to the fatal
chamber. One by one the strong men
roeled away from the dangerous work,
ill the last passed Gardiner FoTsythe's
tall. senseless form TO the waiting group
without.
THAT is tho last :" gasped the miner,
rs he crawled out. white and faint, land
it is well. it is. In FIVE minutes no man
can 60 in there. No. not il it was his
mother he would save"
Twelve men were drawn from the
mouth of the mine, and four wore saved
from death by unremitting effort. Her
man Clark was one of the four, but it
seemed for long time rs if the hands
that had lifted him from his living tomb
were still forever. Hours passed while
Gardiner Forsythe lay in the death.liso
stupor that seemed the forerunner of ac.
tual death. The faint breath that crept
up to his white lips. the feeble hutter oil
the heart, scarcely perceptible. encour-
aged those who worked for his life TO
persevere. long after the physicians had
given up all hope of the eight who had
been drawn out before him.
And in those hours, strong men bend
ing over the white face. spoke their con.
triton for the injustice done him.
IL thought he was coward" Fred
said, hot tears falling as he spoke. 'and
he faced death to save the life Of the man
we said he feared"
"li he will only speak to me once
more." Herman Clark whispered, turn
Ing feebly on his own stretcher. ito say
he forsiveS me. III spend my life proving
how honor him."
They carried him to Mr.. Germaine's,
still living. but 50 feebly there was littlc
hope to dwell upon, and darkness fell
upon the houses of the mourners, upon
the deserted picnic grounds, upon the
porch where Fannie had jested about her
national colors. But the lights burned
brightly in the large room where Gardi-
ner Forsythe was gasping and struggling
his way back to lite again.
Near his head, tanning him softly, un-
dor the doctors directions, Fannie watch
ed his face with an agony OF loving sus.
pense and fear, till the great blue eyes
opened and rested upon her. Then
smile came over the white lips, and Gar
diner whispered
Fannie! Were they all saved ?'
They were all taken out, dearest" )"
she said, trying TO speak calmly, with an
hysterical desire to scream out her glad.
ness.
"All taken out. Thank God !" he whis.
pered again. "Fannie-Herman Clark ?"
"Is doing well. Gardiner. Do not try
TO talk of it all. now. Sleep. will sit
by YOU
And Gardiner slept. while one alter
another crept away softly. till only Fam
ME watched beside him.
Kneeling beside him she wept glad
tears. as she prayed in earnest thank iul-
ness. and fell in her heart the proud con-
sciousness that the day had rightsd her
lover in the worlds eyes.
And she was right. In the house own
ed by Gardiner Forsythe. sweet.faced
lady presides. and little children call the
blue. eyed man father. He is still engag.
ed in mining interests, and his superin.
tendent is still Herman Clark. but it
would 90 hard with any man, who dared
in Tollman's Run. call Gardiner Forsythe
coward.