Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-07-06

your discharge"
 ''l see that in your thoughtless way your are still disposed to make sport of my natural caution" l replied, little severely; ''but l would very much like you to comprehend that reasonable eau tion is not cowardice, nor in any degree allied to it; and to prove it in my own person, now throw down the gage to dare anything that either you or any ambitious friend of yours may have the courage to try"
 Even in the dim light could see that my sharp words had sent deep color into her pretty face; and, after a mo- mentary hesitation, she faltered:
 ''l crave your pardon, MT. Naples, if my light, f1ippant remarks have wounded your feelings"
 "All is already forgotten" I cordially replied, extending my hand, which was accepted in token of amity.
 An exclamation from one of our two companions at this moment drew our at tention to him. He was looking down at the miners through field glass, and his words were:
 "Ha! What culpable imprudencei One of the miners has struck match to light his pipei"
 (Which one?' demanded his compan- ion, in a quick, excited tone. "Show me the man and l will have him dis charged forthwith"
 Just as he spoke. and while he was in the act of reaching out his hand for the glass, binding sheet of flame was seen to envelop all below; a rush of foul, heated air threw us down upon the rocks, and crashing explosion. like a thousand thunders, completely stunned us and shook down the rocks around us like terrible earthquake. When l came to my senses all in the blackncss of that rayless abyss heard a low. wailing moan of terror and despair. accompanied with the words:
 "Oh, my God! my Godl what has hap pened and where am I?'
 It was the plaintive voice of Sibyl Stuart. and l was grateful to God that she was still alive.
 knew where we were and what aw- ful thing had happened. for my recollec- tion came with my consciousness Reach Ing out ny IitIlu tOuCIieO Il6I anu Ill tt soothing tone said:
 ''There has been terrible explosion Miss Sibyl, and 1 fear that many lives have been lost; hut, thank God. we still survive, and hope you nave escaped in jury"
 70 merciful heaven, comprehend all now!" she moaned. Forgive me, dear friend! Forgive ue!'
 For what?'
 Making light of your forebodings. and bringing you here to your doom"
 "All is forgiven and forgotten, dear girl: shall think of nothing now but ] how to get you out of this horror alive. i The foul air here is almost sutfocating. i Where are our companions"
 She hurriedly called them by name, but received no reply.
 l thought they might still be uncon- scious on the ground, and began to feel out for them.
 They were only few feet from us when the explosion occurred; but as reached out for them now in the dark ness my hands came in contact with a huge rock on the very spot where they had EeCn standing. In moment com prehended the horrid truth: they had both been crushed to death under it.
 l hurriedly made known to my fair companion the startling fact. and added
 Ut may be that we two, of all within the mine, are the only ones that Provi- dence has spared"
 70 heaveni' she groaned, spared, perhaps, fer a more terrible deathl Eol how can we ever find our way ap through this awful darkness to the wes}l above!"
 "We will try. at all events. and while there is life there is hope" rejoined. in a cheerful tone, though with no cheerful feelings, for thought the chances were all against our ever seeing the light oi heaven again.
 Taking the hand of my fair companion that we might not become separated ir the awful darkness, began to carefully grope in the direction which supposed would retrace our steps. The air wa: very foul with poisonous gases. and al times it seemed as if it would paralyzt our lungs to inhale it.
 We soon came to a broad chasm, anC had not been feeling my way inch by inch, so to speak, should have plunged headlong into deathpit, and dragged Miss Stuart down with me.
 could not tell the width of the Assure in the darkness. but evidently we could not cross it. for when l lay down on tht edge and stretched forth my hands could not touch the other side.
 Alas! we are doomed to perish here and it is all my wicked doing" said tn, self accusing girl, when l announced tt her the rp;..~.n that we could ad vance ut further in Chat direction.
 Nay. dear Miss Sibyl: will not heal you blame yourself for our being here, l replied You simply did not see the danger in the same light that did-ol perhaps should rather say that you diC not sec the danger at all. :"
 "Only as we see danger when it light ems. she responded; ''we know we may be struck, but we can scarcely be said tt fear it. o, Mir. Naples, if there is an, way by which you can save your life q, pot give thought to me. but make tn effort alone, and l will pray for you success"
 "Ah! now you do indeed wrong me and wound my sensitive nature, by as suming in all seriousness that am coward, said reproachfully. 70 no! mol meant not that" she pro tested. 1t was only that. if there is bu one life to be saved, would have yours instead of mine" 70. dear Miss Sibyl. dare understan, that you would save my life at the sacri , flee of your ownY' , "Yes." she faintly sighed, after a mo mentary pause.
 quickly drew back from the verge O , the dread abyss, and there, in that ray less darkness and that awful tomb O |. death. caught her in my arms an pressed her to my heart.
 You love me then. Sibyl-dear, dear est Sibyl-you love me!' l exclaimed. a passionately kissed her tremulous lips