Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-02-05

demning her father with every words
but he had eagerly counted upon reach
ing her with the truth through this
trial. He must win.
He had not long to wait before fig.
ure came Sinking down the hill. dodg-
Ing in zigzag course among the shad-
ows of the trees.
"Well?" circulated Neil In tense In
quiry, going o few steps to meet him.
swell. you know we broke down
over there this afternoon" the fellow
awlewardly began.
ayes; I noticed the engine had
stopped" Neil returned. impatiently.
''But how about your testifying for us
tomorrow"
~ dunno's ]. kin earn hundred dol.
lars any easier-though, Of course, ]
shall lose my job" To hesitantly
drawled.
"But ! told you that would give you
another" returned Neil, quickly, draw.
ing long breath Of relief, counting
that the bargain was made.
II ben thinkin' that mebbe there's q
chance for you to 60 down n take a
look around yourself II you've mind
to-" Baker irrelevantly rejoincd. "You
see, there's me n Bob Loyson on
watch tonight - we've got the first
shift, m there's nobody but us up
there now. M when II comes to tes-
tifyin'-well, paced or the fust m
second levels just now - Bob keepin'
watch above-'n' ! kinder looked round
n sized things up; but thinks ], I'll
be hanged II I'd know what to say
about It II anybody arst me after oil.
II only you'd 60 down yourself n jest
flgger out what you want me to tell"
you're sure it's safe?" Neil ex-
claimed, knocking the ashes from his
pipe with an mir which said that al
ready he had ussented to the PROPOSE
ton. In truth, he was tingling with de-
light in this opportunity, which. in the
face of. Brigham's detection, appeared
fairly providential. "How about this
other fcllow?"
"Well, l talked II over with him N
Of course It means that he'll lose his
job, too; but told him I knew you'd
make II right with him."
Certainly; he shall have place on
the Mascot tomorrow II he wants H."
Neil ,,rnnised nj once
"Dut he'll need little greasin' in I'D
vance,. the other protested; $3.50
cash. he said. N | was thinkin' meb.
be you'd give me little suthin' extry.
too, Mr.. Neil, bein' I'll be takin' some
chances. II we'd git ketched ut IL, !
expect the boss 'ud smash our bloomin'
heads for u.s."
"All right; III give you $50 apiece
II you'll let me down in the mine and
give me an hour to make examinations"
Neil agreed eagerly.
"In advance?"
"In advance, II you say So"
"All right; better come right along
then, for the coast Is clear now," the
fellow said; somebody might come
moseyin' round later"
A sudden impulse OF prudence caused
Neil to pause. II suppose / may take
my six-shooter," he observed, tenta-
lively.
"0h, sure; load yourself up like an
arsenal II you like" returned the fel.
low with grin, which seemed to make
Ncil's momentary doubt ridiculous.
Still he thought It wise to 60 inside and
get the gun rs well as q notebook be.
fore he followed Bakers lead up the
hill.
Ten minutes later the bargain was
completed, the money paid over and
Neil was proceeding down the ladder.
way Of the Grubstake mine, the heavy
trap door shut over his head.
WELL" exclaimed Bakers compan-
ion, eying the roll Of bills in his hands
as though he were hardly satisfied
with the wage after oil. I'D hate to
be here when he comes up-whenever
that is"
IF he's down very long, you needn't
worry" returned the other coolly. IF
they don't get the pumps goin' within
"a hours. he won't have nothin' to soy
when he comes up"
"Why, good Lord!-they wouldn't
dast to 60 that fur, would they?"
gaspcd the slower-witted colleague,
looking frightened.
"McCready'd go to hell to get even
with Harvey Neil" returned Baker, en-
phatically. "But we amt got nothin'
10 do with 1t. We've done our work n
we've got well paid for 1t, with more
comm. The boss'll look after the rest
you bet"