The Press., 1896-07-02


 true?'
 She nodded, her eyes fixed on the snow covered village in the distance.
 My coming here parted you?'
 'It did," she said quietly. "But we didn't quarrel. Jack heard of that Sat urday night at the Blue Bell, he saw us together that Sunday afternoon. and we'll, you understand what he'd think. ;
 II can, but I never dreamed of such a thing. I thought you were free. wouldn't have stepped between you had I known. will tell Jack everything if you wish me, Peg"
 "F'lease yourself. "
 "Do you wish me to tell him?'
 There was a moments silence; then in a quick, gasping way she cried, "Now
 "That means that you love me, not him, and will marry ne?'
 She nodded a "Ye es," and he caught her hand nearest him and pressed it ill his own. He dared not kiss her under the eyes of the other pit girls near at hand. He had to be content with that stolen hand pressure and whispered word or two of joy and love.
 Then the 'knOcker" or signal bell rang out three times in quick success sion, and a couple of moments later the pulIeys were spinning round, the steel ropes gliding down and up, and when the great cage came to the surface an inky faced, sweating pitman sprang out, asking in an excited tone for the man. ager, Harry Marston.
 There was a whispered conference be- tween official and workman, and then Marston hurried back to Peg Holland s side.
 "Bad news, dear"
 "What is it?"
 "Jack Kendal's deadl Smothered by gas. I am going down now to try to recover his body. Don't tell any one yet. "
 She trenbled, and he thought she was about to fall, but she clung brave ly to the fence, and with a word of cheer he left her to descend the pit.
 X
 As the manager and the miner made their way toward the faraway part of the seam in which the unfortunate fire man had 0.et his death the latter made his superior acquainted with the details of the accident. 1t appeared that heavy fall of roof had occurred between two up brOws, impeding the ventilation and filling the immediate working places with fire damp, which the coal gave off in considerable quantities.
 The fall had taken place in the open ing nearest t}.c face, and the venture some fireman had penetrated to the next opening, which was stopped with a brattice cloth. But ere he could pull down the brattiCe and thus restore the ventilation the powerful gas had over powered him, and he had sunk 10 the floor senseless. A companion who had been behind had escaped and carried the tidings to others.
 On reaching the pit bottom Marston bade several of the miners follow him, and he sped away toward No. 3 jig, with them at his heels. In a quarter of an hour they had gained the brow wherein the poor young fellow lay, and on lifting his lamp to the roof the man. ager found thick layer of gas extend ing along the roof.
 ''How far is Kendall from here, do you think?' MarEton asked of the miner who had escaped.
 "About 30 yards, " the miner replied. "Jack fell just inside the opening. tried to reach him, but everything spun round me, and I only just managed to crawl out. "
 ''I mean to fetch his body out If it can be done, the manager said quil6ly, but very resolutely. "Here, Sam, tie this rope round my waist and follow me at about ten yards distance. If fall or shout, drag me back at once. You un- derstand?"
 "Aye, aye! A rect, the men made answer, and without another word liar ry Marston crept forward on his hands and knees. The lamps of the whole par | ty had been left down below, out of the range of the explosive gas, and the men had to feel their way as best they could.
 On and on the intrepid manager went. For little distance the way was clear and easy enough, but when he had pene- trated score of yards the fire damp was terribly strong and threatened to over power him. But he pressed doggcdly on, resolved not to give way yet, and sud denly he heard something which caused his heart to fly to his throat. He stop