Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-18

but you seemed so fond OF your hus-
band, so happy, that | was almost glad"
Seemed" she cried bitterly. "Was
to let you, who ! thought had liked me
and tired of me, think that 1 regretted
you? So you were glad of your work,
were you? All, you are very noble,
know, Chris, Whelan, very unselfsh, very
generous; but your unsel6shness has
blasted my life. Your generosity has
wronged me grievously p
"Madgel" cried Davis, reproachfully,
shave you no feeling for me that you speak
so? Have not been good husband to
your"
Il can forgive you" she said, quietly,
shat is all. You have both wronged me,
but you less than he"
Before either of the men had time to
answer her another explosion shook the
place where they stood, there was sound
of earth and stones falling into the water
near. them, then the air grew suddenly
lighter and cool breeze blew in their
faces.
Davis gave cry of relief.
'sLook there" he shouted, 1--WE shan't
die this time. See. there's an opening up
above; we are even nearer to the surface
than thought. Do you see that big
boulder that is uncovered now? We can
climb up that, and then lift each other up
so as to struggle through the opening. We
are saved Courage, Madge Whelan,
for heavens sake stop looking so tragic!
Don't you see we are saved, man?"
Whelan's face did not clear.
"Come with me a moment, Davis" he
said, 81 have something to say to you"
Speak before me-" said Madge, firmly.
between you"
"Good," said Whelan, quietly. "Your
husband says we are saved. Don't you see
that only two of US are saved? Who will
help up the third ?"
"Good heavensp said Davis, ~ never
thought of that"
"Think of ii now,n said Chris, still
speaking very quietly.
"You mean, think which,"
eyes, that is what I mean"
Perhaps in bis heart Whelan felt that it
was his friends turn to be generous. Per-
haps he had some hope that Davis might
feel the same if so, he was to be disap-
pointed. A man does not grow in unself-
ishness by living for years in the enjoy
ment of the results of selfish action. A
man who will act meanly at five-and-
twenty is tolerably likely to act still more
meanly at thirty.
"Well," said Davis at length, Sthe third
of us may be saved, too. We could bring
help"
Nonsense; the water is rising too fast
for there to be any chance OF help coming
in time. The one who remains here must
die"
'Well, you know, Chris" said Davis,
with a good deal of shame in his voice.
but good deal OF stubbornness, too, ''Fm
married man, and l have children, and,
now that l have all this property, have
very heavy responsibilities; and, really,
YOU know, whenever one hears of a case
like this, it is always the unmarried man
who offers TO stay. really think it
should be you"
"You think so? Suppose we leave it to
your wife to decide"
Davis hesitated 81 think that will be
hardly fair" he began.
"But will have it So" said Whelan,
sullenly. off you won't consent, I'll refuse
to help you in any case, and we two will
drown together; but if you will let Madge
decide, will abide by her decision. What
do you say ?"
IL suppose 1 have no choice" said Davis.
"Madge, which of US do you decide for ?"
81 will not choose" cried Madge pas
sionately. 81 only wish it could be who
should be left behind 1t should be if l
had strength to lift one of you and might
have my own way. Settle the matter be-
tween you. You were ready enough to
arrange my life to suit yourselves. But l
am less hardy. dare not take such an
awful responsibility upon myself. You are
mad to think 1 could"
"But, Madge,n said Whelan gently, "if
it is true that we between us spoiled your
life, how can we do more to atone than
offer you this choice now? If we only
thought of ourselves then, we want-at
least / want-only to do what is best for
you now. Choose"
81 will not 1t is cruel to ask it. How
can | sentence either of you to death !?
You are the noblest man ever knew, but
the most blind and cruel. Tom is my
husband, we have children, we have lived
together all these years, and-and l have
grown to love him. But yet Oh,
Chris God forgive you your generosity !
But for that | should have loved a much
better man."
Chris drew back. 'Come, Davis" he
said, ''Fye got my answer"
They struggled toward the boulder
together and without much difficulty
climbed to the top of it.
Whelan turned to Davis. "You will go
first, 1 suppose, and help Madge from the
top?n
But Davis had some vague suspicion in
his mind; if he left those two together he
might never see Madge again.
'No, my wife FIRST" he said.
you'll let me? am the stronger, you
know"
Davis nodded
"Chanks. Now. Madge."
He took her in his arms to raise her,
then paused.
"Good-by," he said, ''good-by, Madge.
l think you have been little hard on me-
| made a great mistake, but meant well.
1 can do no more than say I'm sorry, can
l? Don't you think you might be little
sorry, too ~
They could see each other plainly now
in the bright light that streamed straight
down upon them. A sudden bewildering
change rose in Madge's eyes. He looked
at her eagerly. What was in her mind !?
What was rising to her lips? Something
that would make life possible even now,
or at least would make death sweet?
@Madge," he whispered, "Madge, what
is it?'
"Hallo! halo Is any one alive down
there?v
1t was Wyatt's voice, and Wyatt's good
natured, ugly face peered through he OPEN
ing.
aAlI there? All, that's good Derrick
and l got out all right, so We rushed off
and got a ladder; and now, if you'll just
move out of the way, I'll let it down, and
you can all come out Of that ugly hole as
soon as you like"
So in about three minutes the tragedy was
over, and Whelan will never know to his
lviror dow xrl1at ii xraS that Mrs Davis Was