The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-05-28
yet been Illuminated, or eliminated,

and restore the old woman's cap to its
egitimate resting-place. Had she not
been thus pre-occupied, her quick eyes
might have caught 6 impse, through
the wide open window, Of tall form,
and dark, handsome face, whose owner
had paused to light cigar, and had
overheard every word the little witch
had uttered.
Allen Trevor smiled 10 himself a
queer little smile it was, too, and meant
volumes and, putting leisureIy at his
cigar, strolled away.
A few days afterward party set ont
from Huntley Place for the purpose Of
passing the day among some old ruins,
which wers considered picturesque, and
quite the thing for excursionists to do.''
J hey were going on horseback, and q
merry time was anticipated
They reached the ancient ruins
found them all that fancy painted
tht m, i" strolled around the garden CON
nected with the old buildings, played
croquet and firted, and final sat down
to dinner, about as contented party aas
one would wish to see.
During the whole day Nellie's father
had endeavored to bring the young
cc:ple together. an intention which the
young lazy Immediately OWNED and
understood, and straightway Mr. Hunt
ley had his hands full.
When woman will, she will, you
may depend ON it." And every unap-
pfeciated and apparently innocent effort
on the part of Mr. Huntley only made
the demure maiden shun MIR. Trevor the
more.
As | was saying, the party were sit.
ting at dinner, an improvised table
laden with good things. plenty Of ice
and long-necked bottles being predomi-
nant. in the midst Of merry laughter
and CAV 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 itT'
Nellie's face was paid as she asked
the question. Without word Alien
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. It was Mr.. buntley. He threw
himself from his painting horse, and
hurried forward, pale and agitated.
1T is in the coal mine over thereI"
he cried hurriedly. There has been an
explosion; a 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, bui
Nellie Huntley stood quiet, and out
wardly calm. When her father had
finished, she laid one small hand on his
arm.
"Get my horse, please, papa" she
said. want to go there. / may be
Of some assistance"
Are you crazy, child? You must
not think of such a thing"
Yes, know all that, papa, Pm not
going to think about it--Pm 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 frivolity? Not
one forsook our little maiden in her
humane errand.
The horses were hastily saddled-t the
servant who had accompanied them fol-
lowed with ice and wine, in case some un-
fortunate should be rescued, and they
set off at once.
Arriving at the spot they found a ter
rible scene of excitement. A crowd had
collected around the shaft. There were
women crying and wringing their hands;
women on their knees, beseeching
heaven for mercy on the dear ones shut
out from their eyes by that awful bank
of earth. There we're men standing sui
len and gloomy, with arms folded on
their breasts, and in their faces grim
despair, while the very air seemed heavy
with groans, and sobs, and CALCULATIONS.
As our party approached, lull fe'l
on the tempest of grief something
going on--a group had gathered around
tall form, and were begging and ex-
postulating. 1t was Allen Trevor. Mel
lies heart stood still as she heard his
words, in firm clear tone.
"Do not try to dissuade me. | am
convinced that there is hope, and If you
assist me may save some life. There
is an opening sufficiently large for one
man to descend with rope"
Before Nellie could approach him, he
had hastened to the pit, the necessary
preparation was made, and he had disap-
peared from sight into the bowels of the
earth. With horrible feeling at heart,
Nellie sank upon her knees. She dared
not pray. She knew that at any mo-
ment the bank of earth, stayed in its
progress, might easily become detached
| 1.-THE slightest jar would do itl, and
would bury the mouth of the shaft from
view. This was the awful fear that
filed the hearts fall gathered there.
1t seemed hours ages-that she
knelt there mutely imploring heaven.
mercy. At last wild shout pealed
upon tFesair, the rope was pulled from
below, as though a weight were attached