The evening world., 1894-05-19
BACK TO LOVE AND LIFE.
A Lover's quarrel Whtch Ended When
Peril Came.


taking turns in lying in the middle
For some time after their food was
exhausted the paroxysms Of hunger
were frequent and terrible, but as the
hours wore away these paroxysms be-
came less frequent and violent, and
towards the end they gave them very
little trouble. After ther oil gave out
shey we're In total darkness, a misfor-
tune that they looked upon as the
very worst connected with their i'm
prisonment.
Regardless of his own troubles, Dane
Kept up his spirits much better than the
other three, and did all in his power to
encourage them to try to keep life in
their wasted bodies till help should reach
them.
One day when he was in the blind
entry he thought he detected the dull
sound OF pick. The sound seemed to
be communicated by the wooden rail or
run which occupied the middle of the
entry. When sure he was not mistaken
he went back to the room and said:
Cheer up. boys! l hear them digging"
But they either did not believe him or
were too much exhausted to be fully con-
scious of the good tidings he bore. After
this he went back and forth frequently,
but not having any way Of computing
the time it was impossible for him to
tell how many days elapsed before he
was able to attract the attention of the
.rescuerr and help them TO dig to a bet
ter purpose, While the work was going
on outside. poor Dane was conscious that
his powers were failing rapidly, but for
the sake Of the three who had learned
to depend SO much upon him he strug-
ged bravely against the fatal numbness
creeping SO stealthily into his veins.
At last he was compelled from sheer
weakness to cease his visits to the en-
| try, where the progress Of the work
could be noted. and when the opening
was made and the brave rescuers en-
tered the sitting mine they carried him
up into the air and sunshine in a more
helpless condition than any Of the three
for whose lives he had made such a
heroic struggle.
During the twelve days Of almost
hopeless waiting, Lois Maberly had
grown white and thin from constant
suffering. Her maidenly reserve pre-
vented her from speaking OF ner sorrow
|
her silence pleaded more eloquently for
her among the rough miners than the
most bitter grief could have done. In
these days of trial and suffering she
had learned how deeply she had
wronged the one being on earth dearer
to her than life itself.
The little brunette" who had been
the innocent cause Of the disruption be-
tween the lovers. was Danes own half
sister-a mere child-who had come to
spend few weeks with her idolized
brother in his new home. Lois knew
now. and bitterly did she reproach her
self when she recalled her unwomanli-
ness on that last morning Nhey were
together.
| II she had only listened to the expla-
nation he wished to make. he would
have spent another hour with her, and
| SO evaded Jack Daniels and escaped the
mine disaster and the horror of being
buried alive.
All night long she had waited with
hundreds Of other anxious hearts at the
mouth Of the mine to learn the fate of
the entombed men. and when Dane was
brought UP from the pit more dead than
and chafed his hands. and 1t was she
who first discovered that the vital spark
was still burning feebly in his breast.
1t was on her pale face, too, that his
eyes first gazed, when, at last, the
death-like swoon gave way to the warm
throb of life.
She was kneeling by him, his white,
limp hand in hers, when consciousness
returned.
Lois" he whispered. 1T is you,
dear, with the ring still on your finger.
Then 1t was all horrible dream"
"A dream hope you will speedily for
get. Dane" answered Lois tenderly. II
did not understand all then, but do
now, and II suffering can atone for the
wrong done I surely have expiated my
sin. Oh. Dane. Dane. can you forgive
me? Can you forget that dreadful morn
ing-it seems like years ago-when l
sent you from me to what came near
being your dcath?"
May the father above forgive me as
fully and freely as I do you this day.
replied Dane tenderly. as his fingers
closed upon the little thin hand he held
"a hand almost as thin and white as his
own.
Mine forever" he whispered. as with
J an effort he raised 1t to his lips and i'm.
printed the kiss of forgiveness upon 1t.
And may 1t ever be worthy OF you,'
said Lois, sweetly. without attempting
to withdraw 1t.
"And 1t will be. I am sure" said Ma
talie, breaking In upon the scene. "Bu'
remember children. you must each keeI