Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-16


followed the shouts and trampling OF
the escaping men. / knew IL | could
hold the water in check for ten minutes
| could save the lives of every one OF
them. AS for my own--well, one life,
and that useless one, seemed good
exchange for hundred fathers OF
families.
When | first saw it the jet was no
larger than a mans finger; but in mo-
ment it had enlarged to the size Of my
arm, and heavy stream OF water began
TO pour into the chamber.
There was no apparatus at hand,
neither clay nor sand-bags to check it,
as we'll knew.
a happy inspiration came TO me.
With a Titanic effort | managed to.
thrust my arm into the flssure, and dof
the time being i succeeded in checking
the leak.
Then, with my arm in the wall, !
turned half around toward the opening
in the chamber, and there, to my hor-
ror, still stood Eve Guion. saw that
her face was very pale, but firm and
self-possessed.
"What are you doing here?" l cried.
4" This place will be full OF water in
FIVE minutes"
"what are you doing here2'sh asked
quietly.
"My duty" 1 replied. II am try.
ing 10 hold this stream in check until
the men escape"
"Then you will be drowned" she eI-
claimed.
What OF that2 Better one than a
hundred, But 60" 1 entreated. I" /
toll you you have only bare chance to
get ous as II is The water is pressing
harder every moment. 1t will Boon DO
too much for my strength"
Then l will stay and help you,
Wallace" she said, in strangely gentle
voice.
"Ah, you know mel / cried.
4" have known you from the mo-
ment / entered the mine. came here
to sec you"
"To taunt me with my poverty" !
cried. "When your father turned me
away from your doors, when became
outcast and wretched, thought ] had
the right to hide my misfortunes from
your eyes
"It is because my father used you so
cruelty that am here" she said. 81
was not to blame, Wallace. / knew
nothing OF It until you were gone.
Since then / have tried 10 learn ofyour
whereabouts in order TO let You under.
stand my feelings II was only yester.
day that heard of John Wallace in
the Maberly mine, and on the bare
chance of identifying him with Wallace
Grover influenced my father TO bring
me here
Well" said /, sorrowfully, cit in
too late to think Of the past nov. Go,
Eve. Go and keep poor John Wallscc's
secret. II will soon be over with him"
"You persist in remaining here p
she asked.
81 must" I said. al should be
coward and wretch to desert my post
now"
"Then," she replied, very quietly,
II will stay with you"
"why p / asked, amazedly. "Are
you jcstiBg with me ?"
"CAn I Jest with death, Wallace, or
love"
Then, before could comprehend her
words, she came TO my side, and | stood
with my wrist in the wall, and putting
her arm around my neck drew my cheek
down upon hers"
"It hard to die so young, Wallace" ="
she said, swcetly, "but ii would be
harder to live without you. In the
hour Of death, my dear. wecan dispense
with false delicacy. 1 know that You
have loved me many years, and have
returned your love. II We have mot
again only to die, death at least cannot
separate u.s."
With death staring me in the face
not Eve minutes OFF, have never
known q happier moment In my life.
As / stood there. with my arm in the
fissure, with the blood Singing into my
head, and all my muscles straining with
the effort to keep my position, l knew
nothing more than that felt the heart
of the woman loved beating against
my own, her warm young cheek touch
ing my cold one in the embrace Of love
and death.
Then consciousness OF her position
rushed upon me again.
~ .sts rxiaI Won rnusA pnt