Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-10


you |"
So saying, Polglaze struck blow
which would have felled an ordinary
man. But Tregear was quite a match
for him, and the two fought long and
desperately, until separated by the
rural policeman, who threatened them
with legal proceedings.
Of course Margaret was one of the
first to hear of the battle. Distressed
beyond measure she went to her lovers
parents, where she found him in
most unpresentable condition. A few
words soon explained the position of
affairs, when Margaretburst into tears
and blamed herself for showing her
preference SO stupidity.
Margaret" replied her lover, "do
not take it to heart. I'd rather be
fighting him again than see your
tears.'
Leave me alone minute. Let me
overcome this.
eyes, dear heart r said Mrs. Tre-
gear, don't ye take on in this way.
These tinmen are regular vighters
but this Tom Polglaze is the mortaci-
ousest fighter that ever / zee"
Eyes, Margaret, that's true. 1 knew
the day l gained your love 1 should
find an enemy. But cheer up, cheer
upl fancy he will not attack me-
again in a hurry, for l know he does
not at this moment look bit hand
somer than l do"
And so saying, he laughed the mat
ter lightly away, until Margaret too
began to smile through her tears.
On the following day, when the two
rivals went to the mine, their appear
ance caused many jeering and con-
temptous remarks, for the tinmen were
in hopes of goading them on to renew
the battle.
Polglaze had, however, found an ad-
versary worthy of his strong arm, and
was not so ready to strike the first
blow as he had been the night before.
he contented himself, therefore, with
doubling his fists and saying that the
time of vengeance would come.
Months passed away, however,
Tregoze recovered from his unwonted
excitement and matters took their
usual course. the mines were worked,
old seams were used up, and new veins
opened out; but though the battle had
not been renewed, Joseph Tregear and
Tom Polglaze had not shaken hands.
This caused Margaret no small anx-
iety, for down there in the bowels of
the earth an unseen blow with pick
might destroy the happiness of her
life. She often begged Tregear to leave
the mines, but he said he had good
prospects of being appointed engineers
assistant, and as for Tom Polglaze's
threat-whv, he had not the slightest
anxiety on account of that.
At length new shaft was to be
opened, and the two young men, being
the steadiest hands in the mine, were
selected for the operation. There they
toiled together for a few weeks with
out exchanging word, and they were
alone, far from any other workmen.
Margaret was wretched, but to all |
her supplications Tregear still said that
he had no fear. In her distress she
spoke to Polglaze and asked him to
shake hands with Tregear. He refused,
but he pressed his rough hands to his
temples and said. IL loved you then,
l love you now, as much or more than
Joe Tregear."
A day or two after that both men
were again at work together, and silent
as death in the solitary shaft. They
were suddenly startled by a falling
stone. A few Jumps of earth came
tumbling down, and the whole shaft
seemed to tremble.
The works were giving way. The
two men looked at one another, for a
moment, with blanched faces. 1t was
the first time they had looked into one
eyes since that fatal day, ex-
cept to dart glances of scorn and hate.
They ran to the kebble and gave the
signal to be drawn up. They were
touching one another now, their hands
almost clasped together on the rope.
Their very breath seemed to inter-
ningle. 1t was terrible after such a
course OF hate to be brought together
under these circumstances. AS thew
were both shouting to be drawn up, the
'ope frightened and strained, but the
Sebble would not move More earth
4 anxr Fn11 hr.A cd.