People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-23

him from going over to where she sat
beside Howard Ford, and shaking hands
again, while he said:
''Miss Ella, me and the rest of yer
friends has been a-noticin' that you
and Frank Hobart's kinder geein' off
from aich other, and that you amt
danced together tonight Now the
superb be ready in half an hour, and
before that time, if you'd go up and AK
Frank to be yer pard for one round,
it'd please us very much"
Howard Ford looked shocked at this
proposition, and an expression Of
doubt, then Of pleasure, came into the
fine gray eyes of the sage brush
BELLE Bowling, by way of apology,
to the young man who had monopolized
her that evening, she took Sam Brit
tons strong arm, and he led her to
where Frank stood.
Mr.. Hobart" she said, and her love-
ly face flushed and her eyes were
downcast, IF you will not ask me to
dance with you, our friends think /
should ask you to dance with me-"
80 we do" said Sam Britton, before
Frank could recover his confusion.
Now haul him out TO the head of the
kortillion, and everyone'll allow you
two's the handsomest Ripple at the
ball"
Like one in a dream, Frank Hobart
felt the thrilling touch of Elias hand
on his arm, and, quite sure that he was
about to disgrace himself in her eyes,
he took his place beside her at the head
OF the set, while other couples came
laughing to the floor.
The band leader tapped his bow on
his violin as signal to the musicians
and the dancers. The salute was given.
and the quick first bars of Haste to
the Wedding swelled out; but sudden
ly the music ceased, and the dancers
stood spellbound, with ashy faces.
THE mines on fire. came the hoarse
shout of men.
There are eleven men still down."
shrieked woman.
There was no indecision about Frank
Hobart now. Without a word he
sprang from Elias side, shouting as he
flew TO the door: Follow me TO the
mine, boys"
Like a mountain lion he leaped
ahead and dashed down the winding
steps cut in the precipitous side of the
I canyon, at the bottom of which was
the opening of the mine shaft, from
which fountain of smoke was shoot
ing up.
Men followed with lanterns and
torches. The festivities for that Christ
mas eve were over till it was known
that the men in the mine were safe.
The women, Ella at their head, ran
down to the canyon, their faces look
ing aged and white in the light of the
torches.
Make ready TO lower me down"
shouted Frank Hobart as he leaped into
the bucket, "and stand by to haul up
and answer signalsI'
"l'll 60 with your cried Sam Britton.
"No; let some man come who has no
wife or mother or loved one dependent
on him."
A tall young man in a very red shirt
sprang to Franks side. The engine
was started, and the bucket sank into
the shaft, now vomiting forth hot
smoke like volcano
LET me take you home, Miss Ella;
This is no place for you," said Howard
Ford.
Shaking his hand from her arm with
an impatient gesture. she answered:
"Near him is my place, in life or in
death!'
Minutes Of awful anxiety, then the
signal: Haul awayr The chain flew
about the drum, the bucket few up
through the shaft, and six men. all the
bucket could hold-six burned and
blackened men, but still living, thank
God!-were lifted out.