The record-union., 1893-11-18

kindly on her as he accepted her con-
gratulations, his brown eyes were trifie
more brilliant, but not for Carmelo were
those glances, for Joe's first loyal thought
was of Edith Haverly, and Carmelo's
dark eyes and peach bloom cheeks might
just as well have been in Egypt. His
thoughts were far afield; Carmelo's grace
ful fittings to and fro, intent on house,
hold tasks, were as unnoticed as a butter
fiy's flight.
After supper Joe left the cabin and
walked down the trail, the trail he had
come over months ago. He fingered near
mountain stream meath a clump of
pines and barred his curly head TO the
evening breeze. He looked up to the
mountains, misty topped then his eyes
rested on the tall, expectant frs that hold
open arms in welcome to the evening
breeze. The day king had put off his
crown, and the jewels of topaz, sapphire
ruby and amethyst were scattered in rich
profusion over the western sky. The
perfume of Carmelo's flowers float by
him Oh the wings of the evening breeze
Clusters of delicate wild flowers hold up
cheery, brave faces above the faded rus
set pine needles. On knoll Of crumbling
rock are punches of vivid scarlet pinks
(Sete1le CdtJo77licd), their beauty bright
ening their surroundings
Joe's breath comes quickly as he thinks
OF the possible success that will crown his
work; he walks up and down in happy
Impatlence, waiting for new day to COM
mence work again. 1t grows dark grace
fully in the Sierras, and when night came
he was still there meditating. 1t was "a
night OF the large few stars, night of
south winds" balmy and fragrant with
spicy breaths of cedar and pine. AS Joe
thinks of the girl that has his heart he
whispers softly, "The girl / love-God
love her. and grant we may not drift
apart"
AS he turns to retrace his steps to the
house the mournful wind, like the wall
of a coyote, is waited from the black
shadows OF the hill. AS Joe listens to its
dying away a cold chill comes over him,
chill Of some impending evil. He
reaches the house and seeks his room,
but sleep will not come. Happy antici-
pations make him restless, impatient.
Dawn is coming too slowly; he cannot
wait. He arises from his bed and seeks
the night air to cool his brow. The wind
has risen since he retired. Dead branches
OF old trees seem harps on which the
wailing night wind plays.
The still, dark -memoried pines," are
signing as if weary of life and its mys-
teries of love and loss. Joe stands a min
ute in thought, then taking up the lighted
lantern he turns down the trail to the
mine. AS he cannot sleep he thinks he
will go there and plan for the days
work.
He heeds not the stealthy, cat-like foot
steps that come behind him. They are
deadened by the rustic he makes passing
through dead leaves. He reaches the
tunnel, enters and looks around at the
work already done. The yellow specks
of gold glisten in the rock. A bat whirs
by his head. He sets the lantern on
mi of nd iclr i
some loose shale that falls with clatter
on the earth below.
This discloses brighter colors and large
quantities OF the precious metal. Joe's
heart thrObs quickly as he sees what
with work may bring him sweet truition
OF hopes. He works for an hour or two.
Dawn draws near-when a quick, blind
ing flash, roaring explosion that sends
Joe Oft his feet and extinguishes the light.
Minutes pass before Joe realizes that
some dreadful calamity has happened.
he feels for match, re-lights the lantern
and gropes dizZlly for the entrance Of the
tunnel. Alas, it is not there. A great
bowlder has fallen and brought with it
all the earth, stones and roots that block
all egress; and Joe realizes he is caught
like rat in a trap, and is Just as power
less; but he doesn't despair. He thinks
Carlos will find out what has happened
and will rescue him. So he blows out
the light, for he may need it later on and
sits down to Walt-tO wait and wonder
what caused the cave, as they had tim
bered up securely, and tagging and caps
were supposed to be proof against the
pressure from above. He never suspect
ed Carlos and dynamite in conjunction.
No one saw Carlos but the stars as he
coOlly prepared for the fiendish deed to
bury Joe alive. His plan was to leave
the mountains till all was over. then re-
turn and take the mine. Unheard he had
laid the blast SO it would do effective
work, then he hastily mounted his mule
and rode away, away into the night,
murderous hate in his heart as he
gloated over the deed that would bring
The sight Of gold had aroused his cupid
ity. he thought of no one; not even his
daughter in his haste to do the evil.
AS he rode along he drank freely of
whisky to sustain his courage. AS the
mule stumbled along the stony trai! his
head drooped on his breast. The animal
FASTENED along, startled by an owl that
flew from low bush. Suddenly he SHE'D
and flung his rider over steep river hill;
down, down he went on the rocks below,
and all that remained of him was a life
less, crushed mass, and Joe's enemy had
answered for his crime-"An eve for an
eye, tooth for tooth ~
Carmelo arose after dawn and prepared
the morning meal. Not seeing anything
of her father or Joe she went to the tun-
tel to call them. She had heard the ex-
piosion, but thought it was only forest
tree that had fallen, as they often do, even
on the calmest nights; but in the heavy
dreamless sleep of health she had not
Needed it. Reaching the mine she saw
the closed tunnel, and realized the disas-
ter; but thinking it an accident, and
probably both father and the senior she
loved were inside. She tried to remove
the biggest rock, but it was beyond her
strength. She ran hastily up the bank
directly over the mine. Here she found
several deep assures, evidently made by
the explosion. Ii she could only COM
municate with them to see if they were
alive! She tore up the grass roots, and
procuring long stick she thrust it down.
It met with no obstacles, and she with
drew it, and fastened on one still longer.
Still no resistance to its progress. She
returned quickly to the house, and with
eager fingers and feverish eagerness she
tore down from their reSting-place some
lengths of two-inch pipe. Carrying this
with her to the mine, she carefully thrust
IL down as far as she could. Then piecing
it carefull y she calculated it must be near
the tunnel whore the timber was last
laid, and where the men were it alive
She put her mouth to the tube. and called
first her father" then 'Senor Joe."
Then she listened. Joyfully she heard a
movement, then a muffled voice answer
ing.
''Your father is not here, but am. Can
you do anything ?'' in Joe's voice
Thinking b er father was safe, she joy
fully answered, Yes; only wait. Can
you see the piper"
The answer came, "4e es.o
Have you a mining pan?u was her
next query.
part that utensil would play in his de-
livery from his earthly prison.
Silence Tor a time, then the girls voice