San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-24
THIS story was commenced June 1871
THE
Master of the Mine.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.


1.-THE visions Of the earth were gone and fed
He saw the giant sea above MS head"
Keats Endymiou.
--avIng reached the ruin, she paused, ana
stood as ii listening. There was Il dead 81
lence all round. broken only by the washing
of the sea. | crept up in the shadow Of the
! ruin.
Presently, heard a peculiar whistle. An
ME said softly:
"SYes-I am here" Then figure, that Of
man, emerged from the darkness and join
| ed her.
My establishment at all this was so great
that for time | was utterly unable to move I;
but, from my shadOwy hidingplace, watch
ed the pair. Who the man was, could not
tell, the darkness completely cOncealing his
features; but | saw that he was taller than
Annie, and that he was smoking cigar.
They stood close together, talking earnest
| ly; but could not catch a word of what they
said Presently, they began to move away,
and | deemed il time TO interfere.
In two strides was between them-Annie
uttered a scream, the man an oath. But he
stood his ground, and looked into my face.
1t was now my turn to utter an eXclama-
ton. The man was young Redruth, the
master of the mine.
a moment neither of us spoke. Redruth be-
ing the coolest, was the first to speak.
What are you doing here, TrclawneyT
he asked, curtly.
II am here to take my cousin home, sir"
replied.
Indeed" he Sneered; IL should have
thought you were here to play the spyr'
Even that would be better than playing
the villain,' | returned
Here Annie, seeing a storm brewing, in-
terfrred.
Hugh, dear Hughr' she said, plucking at
my sleeve.
But young RedIuth now stepped forward.
Don't agitate yourself. Annie" said he,
cOOlly, while | was ready to knock him
down. And you. sir he added, address,
ing me, stand on of the way; have bust
ness with this young lady, and request you
to leave u.s."
And if | refuse?'
He raised small cane which he carried
and struck me across the shoulders. In a
moment had wrenched it from his hand,
and with one well-plantcd blow | would
have made him measure his length upon the
ground; but with another scream Annie
rushed forward and stOOtbetween us.
"l on shall pay for this, you ScOundrelw
said my master; and, without another word
he disappeared into the darkness
Annie, still frightened and trembling
rushed forward to follow him, but in mo-
ment was beside her.
You'll come with me, Annie" | said, TAX
ing her hand firmly in mine.
By this time she was crying bitterly. ''Oh,
Hugh" she sObbed, ''what have you done!
You will ruin us all-yOurSef. father and
all of usr'
But took no heed of her kept my hold
upon her, and led her back across the mead
ows to the cottage.
During the walk, no word passed between
us. was SILENT expecting she would give
some explanation of the scene had witness
ed; but as she volunteered none, said moth
ing When we reached the cottage gate, she
paused, and spoke.
Hugh" she said, you won't tell mother
or father"
'NO, no." interrupted her. Don't fear
for me, but | mean to look after you in the
future, Annie.
Don't be hard on me-" Hugh" she said,
piteOusly. 81 meant no harm. But it will
be better for you and father if speak to the
young master sometimes"
You'd best let lis manage our own affairs,
Annie, and keep yourself to the house; al
ways remember that"
She dried her eyes and composed herself
bit, and we went in together.
The old couple were aStOnished, but not
ill-pleaSed at seeing us Ill company. They
noticed Armies pallOr, too and exchanged
looks, the meaning of which now know full
well. | dreaded to be questioned; 80 when
Annie had gone to her room, which she did
pretty quickly, explained that had return
ed for certain little accountbOoI,s, and hav-
ing met Annie by the way had brought her
in. Then | possessed myself of the books,
and hurried back to the Office to finish my
nights work.