Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-25

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 was sobbing
on Gertr 1de 8 shoulder.
"Is any one hurt?" asked the latter ca
gerly.
mo. hardly at all. A few cuts from
stcnes.''
Another hour passed, while the crowd
thickened and listened all breathlessly to
the dull, muffl ID sound of the tools and
the creaking of the barrows. A fresh
gang was at work, and they came out
! more quickly. The sky was growing gray,
and the mems faces look so, too, as the
fire burned with paleI light and the hill
/ tops came out in cold majesty.
Suddenly the tools ceased; barrow on
its way out stopped inside the entrance.
1T, nhe1 crowd outside drew close and breath
ed more quickly, a1a women hid their
lhCCo do GuC SOulu vi WIVES lOW
Ing came from the passage. Then a lit
tie 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 it was not lead.grimed. was
pallid with fatigue.
He has only fainted," he said, as the
doctor bent over the boy.
''Just so!'' said the latter cheerily she
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. 1 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 Mas
ter Bob, one for pure congratulation, and
he spent his time in rehearsing graphic
account OF the adventure for the benefit
of his DANES house. "But that fellow is
no end of trump. He's been up to say
| goodbye, and [ told him what an ass ID
made myself about him. That's COM
| fort. l 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 ap-
| pnorod RI rive hin, tioeo
81 don't think they would.'' m urmured
Gertrude, eagerly presenting him with a
large bunch of grapes from a side-table.
"I'll get you some more, Bob"
| "Y gu bet your boots they wouldn't. It's
| pity he can't climb. Fancy fellow
like that with what the doctor calls con-
stitutional vertigo! can't make it out. :"
And Bob fell into 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 down stairs. found him in the
hall. He had mislaid favorite stick.
"Mr. Losford," she began hurriedly,
standing before him in she knew not what
attitude Of PRETTY humility. 81 said some
thing yesterday the memory of which is
burning me with shame I cannot for
give myself; but will you say you DO?
What foolish girl said cannot have hurt
your" she pleaded. as he made no answer.
''Rather, should not have hurt me-" he
replied gravely; "yet it did cruelty, Miss
Goodwin. But for the chance occurrence
of last night you would be thinking so
still. It was ungenerous as we'll as
thoughtless.
Gertrude WINGED under each almost
contemptuous word. She had not bar
gained for this. Too much hurt for tears,
she murmured as she turned away.
II am sorry"
"a moment, please From any other
woman l should have accepted the apollo
gy without word. I have scolded you
that you might know what it was like
before I asked you to give me the right to
do it. Gertrude, will you be my wife 2"
| And Gertrude said Yes
When she had fully satisfied him upon
this point. she asked
"And you have quite forgiven me, Wal
ter ?"
81 shall have when you have done the
penance / order" There was twinkle
of fun in his eyes stranger would not
have believed could harbor there. sit is
that you wear the bit of gentian at dinner
this evening""
The sight of which harmless specimen
caused Bob to blush the only blush he
was guilty of in his school DAYS.