The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-05-27

establish his claim to the title of man
hood. In short, he must be hero, and
accomplish something noble before ]
could care picayune ior him. Did
Allen Trevor ever DO q brave deed
lfso, the world has kept very silent con.
cerning it, or his noble actions must
have been performed in darkness, and
have never yet been illuminated, OF
eliminated. either.
She paused to draw long breath, and
restore the old woman's cap to its legiti.
mate resting-place. Had she not beer
thus preoccupied, her quick eyes might
have caught a glimpse through thu
wide'open window of tall form and .
dark, handsome face, whose owner had
paused to light a cigar, and had ovel.
heard every word the little witch had
uttered.
Allen Trevor smiled to himself
queer little smile it was, too, and meant
volumes-and, putting leisurely at hi.
cigar, strolled away.
A few days afterward party set out
from Huntley Place for the purpose oi
passing the day among some old ruins,
which were considered picturesque, and
quite the thing for excursionists "to
do" They were going on horseback,
and merry tine was anticipated.
They reached the ancient ruins, found
them "all that fancy painted them,'
strolled around the garden connected
with the old buildings, played croquet
and flirted, and finally sat down to din
ner, about as contented party as one
would wish to see.
During the whole day Nellie's father
had endeavored to bring the young
couple together, an intention which the
young lady Immediately OWNED and un-
derstood, and straightway Mr.. Huntley
had his hands full.
"Wnen woman will, she will, you
may depend on it." And every una9-
preciated and apparently innocent effort
on the part of Mr.. Huntley only made
the demure maiden shun Mr.. Trevor the
more.
AS l was saying, the party were sit
ting at dinner, an improvised table
laden with good things. In the midst
Of merry laughter and gay badinage,
low rumbling noise fell upon their ears,
followed by loud crash.
All sprang to their feet in an instant
the ladies pale and trembling-the men
somewhat startled.
"What is ftp"
Neliie's face was pallid as she asked
the question. Without word Allen
Trevor sprang upon his horse and rode
away in the direction of the sound, fol-
lowed by number of the gentlemen.
In short time horseman was seen
returning, galloping like mad toward
them. 1t was Mr.. Huntley. He threw
himself from his painting horse, and hur-
ried forward, pale and agitated.
at is in the coal mine over therem he
cried, hurriedly. "There has been an
explosion; portion of the shaft has
fallen in, and nobody knows how many
are buried alive there"
A scene of excitement followed the
dreadful announcement. Some OF the
ladies fainted-all were terrified, but Nell
lie Huntley stood quiet and outwardly
calm. When her father had finished,
she laid one small hand on his arm.
"Get my horse, please, papa, +" "shesaid.
II want to 60 there. l may be Of some
assistance"
"Are you crazy, childp You must
net think of such thing"
Yes, know all that, papa, I'm not
going to think about it-l'm going right
at once. Miss Renshawe and some OF
the ladies will accompany me, am
sure"
Who would have believed it of those
gay ladies of fashion and frivolityP
Not one forsook our little maiden in her
humane errand. The orses were has
tily saddled and they set off at once.
Arriving at the spot they found ter
rible scene OF excitement. A crowd
had collected around the shaft. There
were women crying and wringing their
hands; women on their knees beseech'
ing Heaven for mercy on the dear ones
shut out from their eyes by that awful
bank of earth. There were men stand
ing sullen and gloomy, with arms folded
IN their breasts, an d in their faces grim
despair, while the very air seemed
heavy with groans, and sobs, and
CALCULATIONS.
AS our party approached, a lull fell on
the tempest of grief-something going
on--a group had gathered around 2 tall
form, and were begging and expos Hat
ing. II was Allen Trevor. Nellie's
heart stood still as she heard his words,
in firm, clear tone:
do not try to dissuade me. / am
convinced that there i1 hope, and If you
assist me l may save some life. There
is an opening sufficiently large for one
man to descend with a rope"
Before Nellie could approach him, he
had hastened to the pit, the NJ Sessary
preparation was made, and he mad dis
appeared from sight in the bowels of
the earth. With a horrible feeling at
her heart, Nellie sank upon her knees.
She dared not pray. She knew that at
any moment the bank OF earth, stayed
in its progress, might easily become de-
tached (the slightest jar would do
iD, and would bury the mouth of
the shaft from view. This was the
awful fear that filled the hearts OF all
gathered there.
1t seemed hours--ages--that she knelt
there mutely implorine heavens mercy.