San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-12
This story was commenced June 1877
TIE
Master of the Mine.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.


He saw the giant sea above his head"
Keats Enlymiou.
cause; DesIdes ne mao persIstcnuy avcrreu
that 1t was his intention to make her his
wife, and Annie, brought up as she had been
with simple faith in human nature, saw no
reason, since all was straight and honorable,
for 50 much secrecy in the matter.
at would break my fathers heart" she
said to him, again and again. 1t will bring
dishOnOr upon my home and upon myself.
Why should we act sop
But George Redruth was speciOus in his
pleading. He pointed out to her that since
they were TO be married, there would be no
dishOnOr. That II her good name was tarn-
ished for time through the enforced Sc
crecy of the whole proceedings 1t would
shine all the brighter afterward, and as for
hmself-why. he would love her hundred
fold for this slight sacrifice; in fact, he took
full advantage Of his gentlemanly manners
and superior education 10 lure her on to de-
stTuction. Il am sure he really and truly
loved me then" said poor Annie as she re-
counted those scenes to me- "Ah, Hugh,
there was love in his voice and in his eyes
real true love that no one could doubt; and
was 1t an wonder then that never doubted
It; when he took me in his arms and kissed
me l felt that could 90 to sleep and never
wish to .waken again"
Nevertheless, poor Annie brought all the
strength of her nature TO her aid, and resisted
him almost TO the last
Even after she had finally been brought to
consent to his proposition, she repented be-
fore many hours had passed away, and went
to him again with determination to break
with him once and for all. II was the night
preceding that on which she left her home.
They had arranged not 10 meet again, but
Annie, reckless Of consequences had sent
note to him, asking him to meet her. She
got no answer to the note but at ten o'clock,
the time she had named, she went to their
usual place of meeting and here she was
soon joined by GeOrge Redrnth. He looked
impatient, and even angry. Instead of TAX
ing her in his arms and kissing her as usual,
he began to chide her for her thOughtIessness
in sending up the note.
IF my mother had seen IT," he said, and
questioned me about it, it would have been
awkward. What do you want Annie? /
thought everything was settled last night"
"And so 1t was" returned Annie, begin
ming to tremble at her own bOldneSs. But
/ wanted to see you tonight TO say that |
have changed my nIird.'
Changed your mind; what the deuce do
you mean?"
Just this, sir" continued Annie, who
grew holder as she went on. 81 am sure
that what we are going to do Is not right and
can never bring happiness TO any soul let us
just wait as we are and be as we are till you
can marry me openly, and take me to your
home"
You are little fool" returned Redruth,
impatiently; but you will find am not to be
befoOled. IL you wish to break with me, say
SO; and we will not see each other after to-
nightp'
1t would have been well for poor Annie If
she could have taken him at his word; but,
alas 1t was too late He had made her love
him so passiOnately, that sooner than lose
him altogether, she felt she would make any
sacrifice OH earth.
Therefore she chung heIplessly to him, sob
bling bitterly.
No, do not go from me-I cannot bear to
lose your
He saw he had gained his point, and grew
soft again. He laid her head on his shoulder,
stroked her tear-Stained cheek. and kissed
her.
"Oh, Annie, Annie" he said ''you are
silly little thing. When you talk as you did
Just now, YOU make me think that you don't
care for me at all and that your only reason
in wishing to marry me is the temptation to
fill the position offer you as my wife. My
dear, if did not love you so devOtedly
should doubt your love. They say to love Is
to have implicit faith; you have no faith in
mew
"0h. yes, / havep
Then Why not show IT. Come, tell me
thatl Why hesitate and cry as II l am about
TO bring you to some dire distress. Yet, aft
er all, what have asked you to do? Only
what hundreds of girls have done before you
to be married secretly instead of openly, to
conceal the fact of our marriage for few
weeks only, and then to come back with me,
my honOred wife, to share my home"
Yes; the story was speciOus enough; lit
tie wonder indeed that Annie was Def OOled,
seeing that she loved him so. Once more she
promised implicit obedience to all his wishes,
and left him.
1t was the last night she was to spend in
the cottage, and during that night she never
closed her eyes; but she lay awake, watch
ing the mOOnbeams as they crept In at the
window, thinking of all that was past and
what might possibly lie before heT. Ii
George Redruth had spoken fairly-and
why, she asked herself, should sire doubt
him,-she had really very little to dread. If
her father and mother suffered pain at her
sudden flight, 1t would be for such very
little while; and afterward the great JOY
which her return would bring them would
make amends for all. STILL Annie was not
satisfied; her training had been rigid, and
now her conscience troubled her sOrely; but
1t was too late to repent; since that interview
Of the night before she felt she dare not dis
obey her lover.
She rose early and came out OF her bed
room while my uncle and were preparing
10 pay our early visit to the mine. We were
both astOnished to see her up, but she said,
as an excuse for her excessive paleness, that
she had bad headache and could not rest
In bed.
My uncle took her face between his hands
and kissed it fondly, murmuring:
This won't do, we mam ha roses in these
cheeks O. yourn. What would l do wrOut
my little lassp
Annie stifled sob, and turned away with
her eyes full Of tears. She put on her hat
and walked with us half the way to the mine
"a thing she had never done before. She
held my uncle's hand all the way, | remem-
Der, and asked him to kiss her when she de-
cided to go back, and make things ready for
the day at home.
We got home rather earlier than usual that
evening. and when we reached the cottage