Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-05

lne colo impressive lace was aQl0w with energy
and excitement Was it Gertrudes fancy or
was 1t that that word in his voice really struck
her like a whip?
THE hill is on the move, master, and he be
dead. too" said the foremost man, but shame
facedly.
Hush, his sister be there." put In woman
softly.
There was an instant's hesitation, while all
watched the big miner; then, after a glance at
their faces:
Were with you, MASTER" cried he, Selling
the tool at his feet like giant aroused.
The spell was broken. and who then so reck-
less as the Cumberland men. Losford soon
had to check them, and assist the foreman to
compel them to underpin, and take other
proper precautions as they worked. In time
more men focked from neighboring pits to the
spot, and the task was carried On by gangs.
Notwithstanding Mr.. and Mrs. Godwin's en-
treaties the poor girl most concerned would
not leave; and hour after hour, while seemingly
countless loads of earth were wheeled or
carried from the deepening entrance, she
walked to and fro, or lay with Gertrude's hand
In hers on the wraps laid In a corner formed by
two walls. How each shining worker was
gazed at as he came from the darkness into the
blaze Of the fire and deposited his load. Who
ever worked by spells, the figure Gertrude
knew best did not appear, But, when the
faint lingering hope was dying away, one Of the
other men staying in the house came quickly
up to Violet.
Miss Marston, do not be too sanguine. There
is hope yet, however. The fall is only partial,
and he may be In the main workings. Some
of the men fancy that they have heard him
knocking"
Violet made no reply. She Yves sobbing on
Gertrude's shoulder
SIS any one hurt ?" asked the latter eagerly.
No, hardly at all A few cuts from stones"
Another hour passed. while the crowd thick
ened and listened all breathlessly to the dull,
muffed sound OF the tools and the creakin2 of
the barrows. A fresh gang was at work, and
they came out more quickly. The sky was grow
Ing gray, and mems faces looked so, too, as the
fire burned with paier light and the hilltops
came out In cold majesty.
Suddenly the tools ceased; a barrow on its
way out stopped inside the entrance The crowd
outside drew close and breathed more quickly.
and women hid their faces as the sound of voices
low murmuring came from the passage. Then
little crowd OF men pressed out, and in their
midst Walter Losford, stained and ragged, with
the boys form in his arms. He laid him quickly
on the wraps by the women. The blood was
trickling slowly from cut In his own forehead,
and his face. where 1t was not lead-grimed, was
pallid with fatigue.
He has only tainted he said, as the doctor
Just SOL" said the latter, cheerily. "He only
wants glass of sherry"
Gertrude rose from the boy to thank his
bearer, her eyes dim with happiness. But he had
turned away.
The worst time was just before they broke
In, Gerty. thought the earth must fall again,
or something happen to prevent them reaching
me. cOnfided Bob to her when she visited him
next day In his room. The whole matter was to
Master BOD one for pure congratuatiOn, and he
spent his time in rehearsing a graphic account
OF the adventure for the benefit OF his DANES
house. But that fellow Lostord is no end of a
trump. He's been up to say goodbye, and
told him what an ass Id made myself about
him. That's comfort. heard his voice first of
all, do you know, and Mrs. Goodwin says they
wouldn't have got me out but for him."
The likelihood of this alternative appeared to
give him unmiXed satisfaction.
Il don't think they would" murmnred Ger
true, eagerly presenting him with large bunch
OF grapes from side-table. 'Iu get you some
more, Bob"
You bet your boots they wouldn't. It's
pity he can't climb. Fancy fellow like that
with what the doctor calls constitutional yerti-
co. can't make it out"
And Bob fell into a brown study, which
passed into doze; and thus refreshed he was
enabled to chatter without ceasing all dinner
time.
Gertrude stole out of the room. and. running
ooWn stars. found him III the hall. He had mis-
laid a fayorite stick.
Mr.. Lostord," she began hurriedly. standing
before him in she knew not what attitude Of
pretty humility. II said something YESTERDAY
the memory OF which Is burning me with shame.
l cannot forgive myself: but will YOU saw Won
do: Bob has made amends. Let me do so.
W nat foolish girl said cannot have hurt you?"
she pleaded, as he made no answer
LEATHER, should not have hurt me-" he replied
gfayely; ''yet it did cruelty, Miss Goodwin. But
Tor the chance occurrence of last night, you
would be thinking so still. 1t was ungenerous
as well as thoughtless
Gertrude WINGED under each almost contempt
uOuS word. She had not bargained for this
Too much hurt for tears, she 1hurmured as She
turned away:
- am sorry"
A moment, please! From any other woman
should have accepted the apology without
word. have scOded you that you might
know what 1t was like before asked you to
give me the right to do it. Gertrude, will you
be my wife,
And Gertrude said YES"
When she had fully satisfied him upon this
point, she asked:
and you have quite forgiven me. Walter?"
shall have when you have done the penance
order. There was a twinkle Of fun i'm his ewes
a stranger would not have believed could harbor
there. - 1t is that you wear the bit of blue gen.
tan at dinner this evening"
The sight OF which harmless specimen caused
Bob to blush the only blush he was guilty of in
his school DAVIS