The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-08

1 tiny valley, In the ccleC1 u "i4iSh
Twas his claim. A wooden shed leaned
against a rock beside it, containing the
tools and candles A windlass and
bucket were over the shaft
'sYou see, Miss Hale, even it I aban-
doned my machinery it would not be
much loss.''
/ Il should think people would steal
your things in that open place
Nobody ever comes here except the
men who work, Cassidy and Peters.
They ought to be here now; but l sup
pose they think an hours work more or
less will make little difference IN an
abandoned claim"
Maybe they are down inside"
Manette suggested.
mo; there is the bucket on top. They
are off until tomorrow.
''How do they get up and down. any
way?" Miss Hale was OF a very in
quiring turn of mind and given to the
investigation of mysteries.
''It's shallow. They usually let each
other down in the bucket, and the last
man climbs down the rope. It's very
easy"
| What is it like lnSldeY
There was a dawning purpose in the
young woman's eyes, which Walden
was quick to recognize He knew that
he ought not to encourage it; but the
fire of youth and adventure burned in
his veins-and it was such aasimp]e lit
tie adventure, and would be shared by
the girl he loved
| G,1<- Oh
you like to go DOWN."
"How?'
'Tll let you do wn in the bucket It's
a big one"
but l should be afraid unless you
came"
''Oh, should come down the rope"
"And how could we get back?"
81 can certainly climb up twenty
feet of rope" Remem bering some of
his college feats. Walden thought that
he might almost have promised to climb
five hundred.
"I've never seen a mine like this. and
If they are going to stop working this
one may never again." Manette said,
in all seriousness, and Walden never
smiled as he thought of the thousands
that dotted the plains and hills. Nor
did he tn ink to mention that an aban
doned mine changed little after work
was stopped; his attention was all
taken up by lifting the sweet figure
down from her saddle. and in picketing
the horses.
t:.Are you at all afraid?" he asked. as
she tucked her blue habit gingerly
about her in the great, earth-stained
! bucket.
"'Afraid% No indeed!"
He had put a dozen candles and a
short-handled pick into the bucket be-
turned the windlass and let her slowly
down. In two minutes, with the most
careful handling, she had touched
bottom. =,
'I'm here she called up.
Light candle before you get out"
replied Walden.
He could hear the scratching of .
match and see the fare of the paraf1ine.
Then he threw himself on the tarred
rope, and without soiling his riding
trousers went down hand over hand
and stood beside her.
He took his gloves off, and lighting
another candle he led the way into the
drift. 1t was longer than he had
| thought. He had been so busy with
other affairs the past week that he had
not visited tie .'Silver Thread" The
miners had even made a turning in
following some dip Of the vein-which
continually refused to deserve it's
name-and sunk WINE" Walden
was unconscious of how long he lin
gered over,each point where an explana-
ton of any sort could be pu: in, and it
was quite an hour when they turned
from the new drift and started back.
"Such an odd odor," Manette said.
shifting her pretty nose. Like some
thing burning
Walden turned quickly and caught
at her candle-hand. Let me carry
that You have been within an ace of
setting your dress on fire half dozen
times. l suspect you have scorched
your habit"
No, haven't
They had come out into the compare
Walden gave cry of genuine dismay.
How it had happened they could not
say; but in some way the tarred rope
which held the bucket had been set on
fire. probably by Manette's careless
way of holding the candle. and it was
blazing merrily away almost at the
top.
Waldens heart stood still mine
fire is no light thing. The wiudlass
would probably ignite, and-and then
he thanked the poverty VIII ich had kept
him from tim bering the shaft properly.
There was nothing to burn.
How are we going to get out?
Manette asked ruefully. She had un-
limited faith in Walden, and expected
to hear some plan advanced at once.
I'VE shall have to content ourselves
until they miss us, I'm afraid 1t
won't be long" He cast desperate
chances at the sides o: the well, in the
hope Of being able to climb out; but it
was solid, straight rock where it was
not crumbling earth. There was no
chance there. without risking a fall
back to the bottom and a broken back
or limbs.
Well {she began great many
sentences with a smart little "wel'),
II believe we are important enough TO
be looked for"
They had gone back into the drift, 10
be out Of the way CT the burning wind
lass if it fell. Walden had dragged
after him the bucket containing the
candles and pick. You see l am not
to have any serious trouble in disoos-