The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-03

He recollected that be would be ex-
pectCd TO call on her. All, that was
asking too much Though he need
have no anger against her. He had
heard that she had been poor. He
believed that she was an orphan. Yet
she was fortunate.
Round and rOuHd went the weary
circle Of thought. There was no
where any relief but in the depths of
toll in the mines. Physically wearied
he would spend his nights IN sleep
instead Of thought.
A length came the day appointed
for blasting the huge mass Of rocks
which Ohstructed the opening OF an
other shaft The task was his and
the trust an important one.
The train was laid and the locality
cleared. No need 90 warn those who
are familiar with the danger Of such
an explosion, but a lookout must be
kept for persons unsconeious Of the
peril.
Yet all seemed ne it should be. The
rcd rpaIk was creeping up the hill on
its way 10 the powder filled Drift
The explosion would come. aud 49,
ole was liable 10 get hurt by the iit
ing fragments Of rock.
Gathered IN knots at intervals %
safe distances, the men waited for IT,
terrific blast
Suddenly a hand grasped Allan's
arm.
Look there, boy :" Whispered old
Mr.. Fairlie, hOarsely.
Allan followed his fathers painting
finger 10 the top Of ihe hill.
A wOman's figure stood there.
Allan did not know who Il was.
He only saw that she had come over
the hill from the other side. and paus-
ing, had turned 10 look back over the
landscape. He saw, too, that the
other men had come up around him.
Its General Earle's heiress. The
Earle carriage l. nj the foot Of the
HILL" he heard some one say.
"ShOut, boys! Call TO her. Warn
her off, he was saying, as he tore off
his coat
ALLAN. my boy, you cannot DO 1t.
The fuse is almost al the top, and you
have q long run" said his father,
catching his arm.
Lord, yes, sir You'd get there
only In time to share her fate" said a
Young mRn, pushing his hand agaln-t
Allan's breast 10 enforce attention.
"She can hear the calm and yellin'
There's time enough for her To get
out Of the way. You'll get yourself
hurt bad, sirp'
IL was only an instant Of time that
Allan fingered, looking st the motion
| less figure upon the hill.
The girl wore a gray dress, and q
| white flower In brown braids lOoped
up under a jaunty hat Of black velvet
| His grandfatheris helress Only one
| little instant he fingered, but Ia that
| brief time Satan made a bid for his
soul.
"She does not heed-she does not
understand :" he cried, his voice
breaking strangely.
| Then he was of.
He was q swift runner. He had 9
/ powerful voice, too, and he used legs
and lungs with the power Of despera-
| ton. The distant shouting had failed
to attract the girls attention but as
/ Allan came across the field, she turn.
ed her head and looked at him.
In that instant his voice failed him,
but his wild legs brought him to her
side.
Innocence! are we too late ?"
His cry, as he snatched her up, was
ambiguous, but she grew white. She
chung about his neck. SPECIFICS be
bounded down the rocks she had late.
~ climbed so leisurely. Roots and
branches snapped under his strong
tread. Once be slipped, and 1t seemed
as II they would be whirled to the bot.
tom; but elasping his precious bur
den tighter, Allan Fairlie bounded tC
the hills foot, and springing into 8
cave, lost his footing at last, and fell
as the whole world seemed drowned
In the voice Of the explosion.
"My little darling, are you huTt?'
"NO, no! But you look so dread
fully-Oh, what is the matter?"
He told her.
She could scarcely be whittier when
she understood what her peril had
been but her broken words confessed
her love with her gratitude.
Sweetheart pure sOul!" hC
sobbed. 81 am not worthy Of YOU
dear love. But q moment ago, / had
the heart to let you perish. / thought
YOU were my grandfather's heiress.'
And 80 / am. Dear Allan, viii
you not share Riverside with me ."
"You ?"
II am Innocence Adair Earle.
have played little ruse. II was {
harmless one. You will forgive me
/ wanted you to know me, and die
not want you to hate me from the
start. Come; here is the carriage le
us 90 and look at our home together"
How could he resist such soft be-
quilting And. indeed. there was no
longer any need to deny his heart.