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

mine," answered the other keeping at 6
safe distance from the edge. He was ir
no way discomposed until, as he finished
his eyes met the girls full Of contempt and
anger. Stung by the look he took hasty
step towards the edge of the cliff and bent
down to make the attempt. For moment
he remained in that position as If entranc
ed, scanning the depth below, sheer
| three hundred feet, and then green ledge
and then, far beneath. pale-blue Crum
mock Water. With quick shudder he
passed his hand across his eyes and rec oil
ed, white to the lips.
II can't get it for you,' he said hoarse'
ly falling back, while the Others looked at
one another in astonishment.
''And quite right too. Mr.. Losford; dom
try any such foolhardiness, beg" cried
Mrs. Goodwin loudly. Loudly, but not SO
loud that he failed to hear the one word
Coward = or to distinguish the tone OF
contempt in which It fen r sEGai h her dangh-
ter's lips, as she turned away. The next
instant he was his old calm self again, but
he knew that he had his dismissal.
AS for the bit of blue gentian, Bob
brought it up in twlnkling and chatter
ed on in such way as to earn every one s
gratitude. Yet it was dull party that
wendell its way down the hill. and clear 1t
was to more than one that budding ro-
nance had come to an end over the little
blue flower which nestled so harmlessly in
Gertrude's fair hair. Yet mothers are
saDguine, and Mrs. Godwin's face grew
scarlet with anger when the spray appear
ed again at dinner conspicuously fastened
in the bosom of her daughters dress.
If it was only an awkward hour at din
ner that Mrs. Goodwin feared, Fate was to
save her hospitality from. to do her JUS
tee. an unwonted slur.
Where is Robert p' she asked psttish-
ly, after helping the soup. ''Do you know,
Violet 2"
Miss Marston did not. Bob was not
wont to be punctual. and she was about to
say so when the butler, who had been call
ed from the room, entered hastily ard
whispered something in his masters ear.
Mr.. Goodwin rose quickly.
''My dear, this is bad news. There has
been fall at the lead works."
s'How unfortunate 1 am thankful the
of of (lr
might have been viewing them, as Robert
has been plaguing us to do, and been all
crushed together, like any of the labor
ers Shocking But where can Robert
be?n
81 am afraid. ma'am,' put in the butler
in low voice which every one heard we'll,
with preternatural distinctness. ''that
Master Robert-leastwise he went that
way when he came back-is in there. John
has gone to the village for help.'
There was dead silence round that
fair show Of linen and glass and cleaning
silver, as if the hand which warned Bells
hazzar had appeared upon the wall. Then
Gertrude glided to her friends side and
put her arm round her. The gentlemen
hurried from the room. But almost as
soon as they reached the scene the women
appeared there also; the poor boys sister
could not be restrained, and Mrs. Goodwin,
whose woman's heart was sound within
her, signed to Gertrude to let her go. Any
thing was better than inaction.
Mr.. Goodwin wad-hole and works were
hardly quarter of mile from the house,
though hidden from it by steep shoulder
of the hill. He guessed at once that the
boy, anxious to exhibit to the ladies the
wonders of the wad-hole, had taken the
private key, which generally lay upon the
study mantelpiece, and had gone, it might
be, to make some some preparations.
whereby his darling effects would be en-
HANGED. A servant seeking him when din
ner was ready discovered the accident,
and, after giving the alarm in the servants
hall. had gone on to the village.
"Is there any hope ?" said Gertrude, in
low voice, with Violet Marston's hand
tightly clasped in hers. "Are they dig.
ging ?"
The faring light of pine-knot fire
just kindled in the enclosure at the mouth
of the hole, fell upon a score or two OF
strengthening figures, chiefly women.
Some we're moving to and fro before the
blaze, but most of them stood still and
impassive. Tie 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 groan.
"The props at this end are gone, and the
men say the whole hill is coming down.
We must wait for help from Keswick."
Gertrude was turning to the group in.
dignantly, but one was before her.
Now, men, can handle pick though
l am Londoner. Ten pounds, to every
man who joins me! Don't let them say
that the Cumberland men left their mas.
ter's guest to perish because they we're
cowards."
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 whip?
1.-THE hill is on the move, master, and
he be dead too" said the foremost man
but shame-facedly.
Flush, his sister he there - put in E
woman softly.
There was an instant's hesita tion while
all watched the big miner; then, after g
glance ct their faces:
"We're with you, master - cried he
| seizing the tool at his feet like a gian
aroused.
The spell was broken; and who then 81
reckless as the Cumberland men Los