Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-02-16
sake. He shuddcred as if just awaken

sake. He shuddered as if just awaken
ed from some horrible dream.
II is impossible to tell all he endured
as he sci about the work which lay be-
fore him, of digging his way from that
Close barrow cavern TO the breadth and
light and freedom of the outer world.
He had no better tool than the broken
stave of n barrel, and he was suffering
at the outset from intolerablc thirst;
but little drops of dampness penetrated
the sides of his tunnel, little BY little
gathered in the hollows he scooped out;
his clothing took up the moisture. and
his feyered skin drank of it.
With that great want appeased came
the pangs of hunger. which he had no
means of allaying. but through all he
never went near the moonshiner's key.
1t was not until all was over and he
returned to explore the cave, that he
found it had been shaken from its place,
buried among the ashes, and its con-
tents spilled from the force of the shock.
After fifteen days of digging. after in
tervals of delirium and despair break
ing the stern persistency with which he
neryed himself the last thin crust of
earth brake between him and the open
world.
The blsckened trunks of the trees
stood stark before him, no trace of her.
bage remained, no sign of life was visi-
bic; nevertheless, as he crawled painful
ly down the ridge, he stumbled across
Il woodchuck in its hole
III, ltf4i.. al
triment which Jack Renshaw required
that day and the next-he was not en-
dowed with DR.. Tanners wonderful re-
Cooperative powers and it was Just as
well. for it was not until he had passed
the limits of the fire and found thicket
of berries that he had the material for
another meal.
DAYS Of dragging effort passed before
he appeared. weak and CHASTITY, at u soli-
literally blocked in among the hills. The
house itself was little better than a hut.
but warm unquestioning hospitality was
extended to this stranger in distress. He
was then taken in and cared for, and
nursed through the weak low stage
which followed,
Ii was weeks after he left it before
Jack found his way to his home A
shock, for which he was partly prepar-
ed from living rumors. met him there.
Strangers occupied his home, q stone
IN the cemetery was marked with his
name Jack Renshaw hadn't left much,
was the impression afoat; no one knew
exactly, bat Crystal was supposed to
have gone ia her friends.
He remembered now how he had tax
en- her from her happy girl life. only to
burden her with care, aud grief, aud
disappointment. II seemed TO him bet
ter that Il . should continue to believe
him dead, until he could work "A revolu-
ton in his manner of life that would
give her faith in him better, perhaps,
neyerto undeceive her at all.
There was Il rough lodge up in the
widest part of the "breaks,' where a
solitary pleasure-Sceker came every
year, 10 hunt. and fish, and dream away
the summer weather. He was sunbutnt
and shaggy. with the lstless droop OF
one who lived more in the past than the
present.
Al rare intervals his solitude was brok-
en- in upon by other wanderers. but he
scarcely seemed grateful on these oc-
caSions But one day party found
him out vino had n greater interest
in the surroundings than his usual Wis
TORS
you see we want 10 follow up the
exact track of that forest fire. observed
DR.. Luke. ''One of these ladies suffer
ed loss by It, and I Was only too glad
to bring ~ wife and come, when ]
found how she was brooding over the
subject and longing TO see the spot. If
you can give her any information we will
he grateful rs well rs willing to reward
YOU.
All this in an aside. and as the two
ladies drew near he joined the Younger
and gaycr, and walked away, rs if to
leave them quite unrestrained by his
presence,
It was Crystal who sat down near the
other and oollrdawav through the trees.
Crystal who spoke presently with slight
u'emor in her voice:
"Wcre You here five years ago, at the
time of the fire?
''Yes.
Did YOU hear Of u gentleman who
was oycrtaken by IT, who was found
aftcrward with his gun by his side? 1t
was at the foot OF a bluff, as if he had
fallen over or leaped over in his agony
II heard Of him
did YOU see HIM? Before, mean.
Could you describe him? Wait | think
must tell You why | am 50 anxious.
believed at the time that it was my hus-
band who had met the terrible fate
was not allowed TO see the remains
Afterward some triiics came 10 light;
some little discrepancies of appearance,
so far as could Judge, and | began to
hope"
ITO hope!''
"Oh yes, though with fear and against
reason. could bear it no longer, at
last, and came here trusting to find
someone who could settle my doubts"
"You came" glanciug down at her
dress, the cold lnunled tone which he
had used throughout growing bitter
ION wedding trip also, did you not?"
well, yes. it might be called So"
II don't know whether ] can set your
mind nj rpSt abntlf tho man He was a