Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-21
CHAPTER XXI.

| the chaos resolved itself into discipline.
| They had been taught to hate or despise
| that pale, slender man as their natural
enemy and oppressCr. But now, in the
| hour of dire need, he was proving him.
self the wisest, coolest and strongest of
all. Even Matthew North, whom they
had once blindly followed, had never in
the days of his absolute power seemed
like this-so calm, so confident, so self
forgetful.
And there was one present to whom
he seemed more, far more than all this.
AS she stood beside her horse, little
withdrawn from the forefront of the
throng, gazing upon him where. poised
| upon an elevation overlooking the scene,
he issued his orders and directed the
movements of his men with the indie
scribable magnetism of voice and mien
which marks the born leader, a thrill of
pride swelled the girls heart and flush
ed her cheek-pride and more than pride
love! With the frankness which was
a part of her nature she confessed the
truth, put it into words and spoke them
under her breath-how sweet they were!
Il love him, love him."
The first gang of rescuels. armed with
the necessary tools and implements, were
now ready to descend, and Monckton
prepared to join them. He was staid
by soft touch upon the arm, and pair
of beautiful eyes were raised in anxious
questioning to his.
Must you go, Ralph?'
Il must go, Imogene."
There is danger, Ralph-danger of
poisonous gas in the old tunnel, of wa
ter rising and engulfing you too.
heard them speaking of it in the crowd.
Can you not let some one go in your
place, Ralph?"
What, shirk my duty, Imogene, be-
cause there may be little danger?
Surely you cannot counsel me to do
that
She hung her head moment. GO
then, - she said in a low voice, and with
an accent that made his heart leap, hut
be careful, Palph-for my sake!"
He pressed the hand which she gave
him and turned to enter the cage after
his men, when he was confronted by Mat
thew North.
Il have no right 20 ask favor from
any man." said the miner, you least
of all. But l am to blame for this,
heaven help me, and want to do what
little can to undo my wrong. Let me
go down with you, sir. "
Come"
The old gallery fortunately proved to
be free from gas, and with North's help
a spot Immediately over the chamber,
where it was hoped that the imperiled
miners might have taken refuge, was
located. AT the end of the first half
hour good progress had been made. The
men worked as only men can work to
save human life, but none among them
toiled as did Matthew North. He SEEM
ed TO possess the strength of two and
never to require rest. Gang after gang
came and went. but he refused to yield
the pick which he piled with giant
strokes. Monckton, too, remained at
his post, directing the movements Of the
laborers and frequently handling the
shovel with vigor which his slender
figure belied. He also felt that he had
something to expiate, wrong to undo.
From time to time a halt was called
for the purpose of listening for any pos
sible signals which might be made from
below. The excavation was now seven
y
encouraged the workers. North's face
was growing paler with terrible dread,
and at Monckton's heart the same fear
was beginning to knock, when during
one of the pauses there came, faint, far
off, yet distinctly audible, three dull
blows. One of the men signaled in re-
spouse with his heavy crowbar-and,
yes, there could be no doubt now; the
three blows were repeated! With loud
cry, North fell upon his knees in the
loose soil of the pit, and raising his
clasped hands above his head exclaimed:
Almighty Father, thank thee that
am spared at least this one SIM
Meanwhile the great throng waited
and watched above. The silence of deep
awe had fallen upon them.
Imogene Duke had found a seat near
the mouth of the mine, where she could
see the cage as it came up into the fare
of the lamps. Hour after hour passed
heavily by; gang after gang of exhaust
ed workers came up, and still he tar
ried, while her heart grew faint in her
bosom and cold deathly chill crept
over her limbs. Oh, If anything should
happen to him nowl If now, when he
had proved himself the noblest, bravest
and best of men, she should lose him!
The thought sickened her; it seemed
that she must go to him, must see him
and hear his voice to assure herself that
he was not swallowed mp and buried
away from her forever in that horrible
abysm hundreds of feet below. And il
he were TO die there she would be to
blame for 1t, for it was her wor Is that
had awakened his energies, aroused the
good that was dormant Id him and
shamed him Of his apathy, his idlsness
and his sEiyClitY. But that Far shs haa