The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-10

! iaa1tcd. a SerNs&ilt seeking BIN WtlSl utihSf
Was ready discovered the accident and, after
giving the alarm in the servants hail, had gone
on TO the village.
lis there any hoae?" said Gertrude, in
J low voice. with Violet Marston's hand tight
| claspod in her. Are they digging?"
The fariag light of a pine-knot FIRE, just
4 kindled in the little Enclosure at the mouth of
/ the hole, fell upon score or two of strange
/ looking figure, chiefly women. Some were
moving to and fro before the blaze, but most
Of them stood still ard impassive. The shining
clothes of the men proclaimed their trade, as
they brushed. all distinctions forgotten, against
! the gay dresses of the hoase-party.
No. replied her father, with groan
! The props at this end are gone, and the men
say the whole hin is coming down. We must
wait for help from Keswici."
Gertrude was turning TO the group indig-
nantly, but one was before her.
Now, men, can handle pick though am
a Londoner. Ten pounds to every man who
/ Joins me. Don't let them say that the Cum
beriand men left their masters guest TO perish
because they were towards.
The cold, impassive face was aglow with
energy and excitement. Was it Gertrudes
fancy, or was il that that word in his voice
really struck her like whip?
The hill is on the move, master, and he be
dead, too," said the foremost man, but shame
I facedly.
Hush, his sister be there!" put in a woman
softly.
There was an instant's hesitation while all
watched the big miner; then, after glance at
their faces:
Were with you, master!" cried he, seizing
! the tool at his feet like giant aroused
The spell was brcken 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
precautions as they worked. In time more men
] tiocked from ncighboring pits to the spot, and
the task was carried on by gangs. Notwith-
standing Mr. and Mrs Godwins entreaties, the
/ poor girl most concerned would not leave and
hour after hour, while seemingly countless loads
of earth were wheeled or carried from the deep
ening entrance, she walked to and fro, or lay
with Gartrude'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 de-
posted 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 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
Gertrudes shoulder.
Is any one hurt?" asked the latter eagerly.
q No, hardly at all. A few cuts from stones"
Another hour passed while the crowd thick
ened and istaned all breathlessly to the dull
muftied sound Of the tools aud the creaking of
the barrows. A fresh gang was at work, and
I they came ont more quickly. The sky was
! growing gray, and mems faces looked SO, too,
as the IRE burned with paler 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.
/ lie laid him quickly on the wraps by the wo-
men. The blood was trickling slowly from
cut IN his own forehead, aud MS face, where it
was not lead-grimed. was pallid with fatigue
DE has only tainted" he said, as the doctor
4 bent ever the boy.
Just solD 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
F in, Gerry. / thought the earth must fall again.
/ or something happen 10 prevent them reaching
me- confided Bob 10 her when she visited him
next Gay IN lis loDtl- LIE NUDlS matter was
10 Master Bob one for pure congratulation, and
he spent his time in rehearsing graphic ac-
count of the adventure Tor the benefit of his
danes house. But that fellow Losford is 10
end of trump. He's been up 10 say good-by,
and told him what an ass I'd made myself
about him. That's comfort l heard his
voice first Of al, do you know, and Mrs. God
win says they wouldn't have got me out but
for him."
The likelihood of this alternative appeared
to give him unmized satisfaction.
i don't think they would" murmured
Gertrude, eagerly presenting him with a large
bunch of grapes from side-table. "rll get
you some more, Bob"
g You bet your boots they wouldn't It's a
pity he can't climb. Fancy fellow like that
with what the doctor calls constitutional
yertigo'l / can't make it OUT
And Bob fell into a brown study, which passed
into d0ze; and thus refreshed he was enabled
10 chatter without ceasing all dinner-time.
Gertrude stole out of the room, and, running
down stairs, found Losford In the hall. He
had mislaid a fayorite stick.
" Dir. LOsford, she began hurriedly, standing
before him IN she knew not what attitude OF
pretty humility, Il said something yesterday
the memory Of which is burning me with
shame / cannot forgive myself; but will you
not say that you do 2" Bob has made amends
Let me do SO. What a foolish girl said cannot
have hurt you 2" she pleaded, as he made no
answer.
Rather, shonld not have hurt me-" he re-
/ piled grayely; yet it did, cruelty, Miss God
win. But for the chance occurrence of last
night you would be thinking SO still. 1t was
ungenerons as well as thonghtless.''
Gertrude WINGED under each almost con-
/ temptuous word. She had not bargained for
this. Too much hurt for tears, she murmured
as she turned away:
am sorry"
- moment, please! From any other wo-
man should have accepted the apology with
/ out word. / have scOlded you that you might
| know what il was like before / asked you to
! give me the right 10 do it. Gertrude, will you
be my wife2"
And Gertrude said Yes"
When she had fully satisfied him upon this
point she asked:
And you have quite forgiven me- Walter ?n
shall have when you have done the PEN
nance / order" There was twinkle of fun
IN his eyes stranger would not have believed
! could harbor there. 1t is that you wear the
/ bit OF blue gentian at dinner this evening"
The sight of which harmless specimen caused
Bob TO blush the only blush he was guilty of in
mis- school days.
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