Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-07-17

cOuntleSS LOADS OF eaFLu were wheeled
or carted from the deepening entrance.
she walked to and fro, or lay with
Gertrude's hand in hers on the wraps
laid in a corner formed by two rails.
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 lnger-
ing hope was dying away, one of the
men staying in the house came quickly
up to Violet.
Miss Marston, do not be too san
guine TIL ere 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 or Gertrude's shoulder.
SIS any one hurt?" asked the latter
eagerly.
mo, hardly at all. A few cuts
from stones"
An another hour passed, while the
crowd thickened and listened all
breathlessly to the dull, mufHed 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 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 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 passed out, and in their midst
Walter Losford, stained and ragged,
with the boys form in his arms. He
laid him quickly on the warps by the
women. The blood was trickling
slowly from a cut in his own fore
head, and his face, where it was not
leadgrimmed, was pallid with fati-
que.
HE has only tainted he said, as
the doctor bent over the boy,
'Just so' said the latter, cheerily.
He only wants a glass of cherry
Gertrude rose from the boy to thank
his bearer, her eyes dim with happi-
ness. But he had turned away.
1.-The worst time was just before
they broke in, Gerty. | thought the
earth must fall again, or something
happen to prevent them reaching
me" confded Bob to her when she
visited him next day in her room.
The whole matter was to Master Bob
one for the pure congratulation, and
he spent his time in rehearsing a
graphic account of the adventure for
the benefit of his danes house. But
that fellow Losford is no end of q
trump. He's been up to say good
bye, and | told him what an ass I'd
made myself about him. That's a
comfort. 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
to give him unmiXed salts
faction.
Il don't think they would, 'murmur-
cd Gertrude, eagerly presenting him
with a bunch of grapes from the side
table. I'll get you some more, Bob. "
you bet your boots they wouldn't.
It's a pity he can't climb. Fancy a
fellow like that with what the doctor
calls constitutional vertigon | can't
make it out.
And Bob fell into brown study,
which passed into a doze; ana thus
refreshed he was enabled to chatter
ceasing all dinner time.
Gertrude stole out of the room, and,
running down stairs, found him in
the hall. He had mislaid a fovorite
stick.
Mr.. Losford, " she began hurried
ly, standing before him in she knew
not what attitude of profound hui
mility, II said something yesterday
the memory of which is burning me
with shame. ! cannot forgive myself;
but viii you say you do2 Bob has
made amends. Let me do so. What
a 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
Miss Goodwin But for the
chance occurrence of last night you
would be thinking so still. 1t was
as well as thoughtless, -
Gertrude WINGED under each almost
word She had not
for this. Too much hurt
for tears, she murmured as she turn
ed away:
Il am sorry"
"A moment please From any
other woman / should have accepted
the apology without a word. ! have
scolded you that you might know
what it was like before | asked you to
give me the right to do it. Gertrude,
will you be my wife"
And Gertrude sald Eyes.
Whes she had fully satisfied him
upon this point, she asked:
And you have quite forgiven me;
Il shall have when you have done
the penance | order There was a
twinkle of fun in his eyes a stranger