The Red Cloud chief., 1892-12-23

him from going over to where she sat
again, while he said:
"Miss Ella, me and the rest of yer
friends has been a-noticin' that you
and Frank Hobart's kinder gcein' off
from aich other, and that you amt
danced together tonight. Now the
~supper'll be ready in half an hour, and
before hat time, if you'd go mp 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 m~onopolized
he- that evening. she took Sam Brit
tons strong arm, and he led her to
where Frank stood. ff..
"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-
$50 we do" said Sam Britton, before
| J. TdIlk COuiu ItCoNCI VI
"Now haul him out TO the head of the
kortillion, and everyone'n allow yen
two's the handsomest Ripple ut the
ball"
Like one in n 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 q signal to h 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 fret came the hoarse
shout of men.
There are eleven men still down.
shrieked a IN
There was no indecision about Frank
Hobart now. Without n word ht
|, sprang from Elias side, shouting as ht
, flew to the door: ''Follow me to the
= mine, boys"
3 Like a mountain lion he leapet
, ahead and dashed down the winding
steps cut in the precipitous side of tho
canyon, at the bottom of which wa
I the opening of the mine shaft, iron
\ which a fountain of smoke was shoot
n ing up.
. Men followed with lanterns INT
torches. The festivities for hal Christ
o mas eve were over till 1t was known
e that the. men in the mine were safe
h The women, Ella at their head, RAJ
down TO the canyon, their faces look
ing aged and white in the light Of thu
torches.
Make ready to lower me down!
4 shouted Frank Hobart as he leaped int
d the bucket, ''and stand by to haul II
and answer signals!"
r. 'l'll go with your cried Sam Brittor
"No; let some man come who has n
k wife or mother or loved one depender
l. on him."
A tall young man in a very red shii
IS sprang to Franks side. The engin
IS was started, and the bucket sank int
is the shaft, now vomiting forth M
e, smoke like a volcano.
y" "Let me take you home, Miss Eli
rs This is no place for YOU" said Howar
r. Ford.
il Shaking his hand from her arm wit
I, an impatient gesture, she answere'
r, ''Near him is my place, in life or
ne death!'
is Minutes Of awful anxiety, then Il
1T signal: "Haul away!" The chain file
about the drum. the bucket flew
T. through the shaft, and six men, all u
m BUCKET could hold-slx burned AZ
blachened men, but still living, thai
cl God!-were lifted out