Richland beacon., 1888-05-26

she said after day or two. 81 must
join their society. I'll never get on un-
less do.
"Act as you think best" the mother
replied.
Meanwhile the simmering discomfort
had been taking shape. Numerous
meetings were held and a course of action
decided; when the girl applied she was
refused.
A stranger in the place, she and her
mother had held aloof in manner to
give offence. Mr.. Gilbert, too, was a
new conner; his manner of conducting
affairs differed from his predecessors,
and though prompt in payment, he was
strict as to hours, etc, and had not
gained popularity. Once more the
'boss's' calculations were interrupted by
deputation. 'We've come to give no.
tice that unless the wages is riz and that
girl discharged, We quit
"I'll do neither, aud you know it,"
Ross Gilbert thundered.
"Maybe he takes pertickler interest
In the young woman
There was no mistaking the insinua-
alton of the tone. Ross sprang to his
feet, but detaining hand was laid on
his shoulder.
"Gently, sir! The fellows don't know
what a sweet lady you have"
"What, Harvey! You in this set of
rascals?'
"We won't call hard names, sir. I've
done my best to dissuade them. don't
mean to quit" He was tall fellow,
with fine face. "Don' make threats, :"
he continued, seeing the other about to
speak. II know when you are angered,
if may may make so free as to say it.
Things you'd be sorry for after, but felt
You had to stick TO-"
"Thank you,' Mr.. Gilbert said quiet
ly.. 'I've given you my answer, men,
and it is final"
"Then quits the word" said the
spokesman, and they filed out. Many
of the townspeople agreed to stand by
Mr.. Gilbert; others thought him unreas-
able, and the employment of a woman
Objectionable. Six men, including
Harvey, remained, and the girl, the
casus hell, added one more.
"We1l do what We can short-handed, E"
Ross said to his wife, "and if it comes to
the worst, close down. 1 won't yield. q"
The closer contact which the small
numbers entailed, threw Eunice and
Harvey much together, friendship rip
ening into a warmer feeling. But it was
becoming almost impossible for Mr..
Gilbert to 60 on, and murmurs and dis
content we're beginning to prevail.
Eunice, though happy, felt strange
nervousness. fastening home one eve
ening she heard rustling in the bushes,
and an unseen hand hurled n stone Mt
her which fellei her unconscious to the
ground. Happily Harvey had left the
mill shortly after, and was q witness,
though not in time to see the perpetra.
tor. With an imprecation he sprang
forward and bent over her, then raised
her in his arms and carried her home.
as it true, Ross, that they have killed
that poor girl"
"Im afraid So"
Tears sprang to Mrs. Gilbert's eyes
and hot words to her lips, but she con-
trolled herself.
''It is hard to be Just and not blame
the innocent for the guilty. she said.
Her husband stopped, kissing her So
berly. "You are a good woman. Yes,
go at once" in answer to her suggestion,
''if any one can help them, you can."
The stone which felled Eunice Gordon
was the death blow to the strike. Horror
at the deed was universal, nor was there
much doubt as to the guilty person. Jim
Farrell had made the insulting speech to
Mr.. Gilbert; he alone was missing. That
he had a personal grudge against Eunice
was surmised by some; but none else
had been concerned in the outrage, and
few mourned his absence. The mill was
closed; the girls life hung by thread.
II want to see Mrs. Gilbert" 1t was
George Harvey who asked.
She thought him fine fellow, bade
him be seated, and said smiling, II per
ceive you have important business with
me, George
"You see, ma am, 1t stands this way.
The men would be glad to come back il
Mr.. Gilbert would open the mill-we
can't live doing nothing-yet they don't
like to ask him. Perhaps you dom
know that Eunice had promised to bt
my wife, and if that stone had killed hel
well, don't like to think about it
can't say how 1 would feel towards them
But, thank God, the doctor says shell
pull through. She's clear in her heat
to-day and begged me to come and ash
Mr.. Gilbert to take them back. She!
had much trouble in the old country, but
it is over now and we shall be happy to
gether. :" ..,
II am very glad, George" Mrs. Gil
bert answered, "but what is it you wan
me to do ?"
"Just this. You know, ma'am, beg
ging your pardon, Mr.. Gilbert's pretty
quick and pretty steady to stick to
] thing, and I've don't know what h'