St. Landry democrat., 1884-08-16

!
The laring light of q pine-knot fire,
just kindled in the little Enclosure at the
mouth of the hole, fell upon score or
two of Strengthening figures, chiefly
women. Some were moving to and fro
before the blaze, but most of them stood
still and impressive. The shining clothes
of the men proclaimed their trade, as
they brushed, all distinctions forgotten,
against the gay dresses of the house
party.
NO" replied her father, with a
groan.
''The props at this end are gone, and
the men say the whole hill is coming
down. We must wait for help from
Keswck."
Gertrude was turning to the group In
dignantly, but one was before her.
''Now, men, can handle pick
though | am Londoner. Ten pounds
to every man who joins me! Don't let
them say that the Cumberland men left
their masters guest to perish because
they were towards. -
The cold impassive face was aglow
with energy and excitement. Was it
Gertrude's fancy, or was it 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:
"We're with you, master ~ cried he,
selling the tool at his feet like a giant
aroused.
The spell was broken; and who then
so reckless as the Cumberland men?
Losford soon had to check them, and
assist the foreman to compel them to
underpin, and take other proper pre-
cautions as they worked. In time,
more men focked from neighboring
| pits to the spot, and the task was car
ried on by gangs. Notwithstanding
Mr. and Mrs. GodWinis entreaties, the
poor girl most concerned would not
leave, and hour after hour, while SEEM
ingly 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 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! Whoever 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 san
guine. There is hope yet, however.
The fall is only partial, and he may be
in the main working. Some of the men
fancy that they have heard him knock
ing"
Violet made no reply. She was sob
bing on Gertrude's shoulder.
els any one hurt?'' asked the latter,
@No, hardly at all. A few cuts from
stones
Another hour passed, while the crowd |
thickened and listened breathlessly to
the dull, mutfied sound of the tools and
the creaking of the harrows. A fresh
gang was at work, and they came out /
more quickly. The sky was growing
gray, and mems faces looked so, too, as
the fire burned with a paler light and /
the hilltops came out in cold majesty.
Suddenly the tools ceased; barrow
on its way out stopped inside the en-
trance The crowd outside drew close
and breathed more quickly, and wom-
en- hid their faces as the sound of voices
low murmuring came from the passage.
Then a little crowd of men pressed
out, and in their midst Walter Los
ford, 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 a cutin
his own forehead, and his face, where
it was not lead-grimed, was pallid with
fatigue.
He has only tainted, = he said, as the
doctor bent over the boy.
''Just sou said the latter, cheerily.
'sHe only wants a glass of sherry"
Gertrude rose from the boy to thank
his bearer, her eyes dim with happiness.
But he had turned away.
The worse time was just before they
broke in, Gerty. I thought the earth
must fall again, or something happen
TO prevent them reaching me- con-
Eided Bob to her when she visited MIN
next day in his room. The whole mat
:er was to Master Bob one for pure con-
yratulation, and he spent his time in
a graphic account of the adj
venture for the benefit of his DANES ]
house. ''But that fellow Losford is no {
End Of trump. He's been up to. say
good-by, and told him what an ass
I'd made myself about him. That's a
comfort. / heard his voice first of all, ;
10 you know, and Mrs. Goodwin says
hey wouldn't have got me out but for
i'm. - I