Arizona republican., 1898-09-29
THE OLD
 SILVER TRAIL.
BY MARY E. STICKNEY.
Continued from Yesterdav)

N'Oo iOA iONtAitss Iic uO It,
 But after all her pains it was fated that Harvey Neil should not be fore armed with the friendly warning. He Had not returned from Tor1toyyn when the Chinaman appeared at the Mascot shaft-housc. but that messenger con- sidercd his mission accomplished when the superintendent took the little note from his hand with careless: 'sAll right; I'll hand it to MT Ncil.-'
 Events, however. corspired to so de- iay >'c:l's coming that when he rode up the cid trail that night it lacked but a few minutes of the horr when it had been arranged that Baker wcs to mee; him at his cabin, ard lcav;ng his horse at the stable, he rode directly by the shafthouse, up the hill It was his custom to take look about the mine the last thing before he retired at night, and he saw no especial reason for stopping TOW.
 He seated himself on the doorstep of the cabin, lighted his pipe while he inI>atiently speculated whether or not the r1an would come, and if he did, what answer he would bring. But he could not face the possibility of the fel- iow's failing him TOW: his testimony must be procured, cost what 1t would; for the visit to Tomtown that afternoon had revealed the fact that Brigham had that day d;sappeared; and now, un- less this n.an, Baker, with llis later Knowledge of the mine, could be in- duced to come forward in his place, Neil felt that his case was almost lost. Ard failure now had come to mean a thousandfold mere to him than mere loss of money; it would stand for com plete yinGication of her ether in Dorothy Meredith's eyes, with result ant stigma upon Neil's course. He felt that his whole hold upon her respect, the whole success of his wooing, de- pended upon proving to her through this verdict of an upprejuaiced jury how just had been his stand. He could rot go to her and plead his case. con- demnirg her father with every word; but he had eagerly counted upor reach ing her with the truth through this trial. He must win.
 He had not long to wait before fig
  ing in zigzag course among the shad- ows of the trees.
 'Well?" ejaculated Neil in tense in- quiTy, going few steps to meet him.
 "Well, you know we broke down over there this afterncon,'' the fellow awlzwardly began.
 "Yes; I noticed the engine had stopped Neil returned, impatiently. But how about your testifying for us to-merrow?"
 "I dunro's I kin earn a hundred dol lars any easier-though. of course. I shall lose my job,' he hesitantly drawled.
 But I told you that would give you another" returned Neil, quickly, draw ng long breath of relief, counting | that the bargain was made.
 II ben thinkin' that rnebbe there's a chance for you to go down n take a look around yourself if you've mind to-" Baker irreIevantiy Tejoined. .'Ycu see, there's Ire IT Bob Loyson on watch tonight we've got the first shift, 'n' there's nobody but us up there now. N when it comes to tes- tifyin-well, 1 paced off the fust 'n' second levels just now - Bob keepin' | watch above-'n' 1 kinder looked round n sized things up; but thinks I, I'll be hanged if I'd know what to say about it if anybody arst'me after all. If only you'd go down yourself n jest figger out what you want me to tell You're sure it's safc?" Neil ex- claimed, knocking the ashes from his pipe with an air which said that al- ready he had assented to the proposi- tion- In truth, he was tingIing with de light in this opportunity, mich, in the face of Drigham's defection, appeared fairly providential. .'How about this other fellow?"
 Well, I talked it over with him 'n' Of course it means that he'll lose his job, too; but l told him 1 knew you'd make it right with him.
 ''Ccrtainly; he shall have a place on the Mascot tomorrow if he wants it. Neil promised at once.
 But he'll need little greasin' in ad- vance," the other protested; 1850 cash. he said. N I was thinkir' meb- | be you'd give me a little sutlin' extry, too, Mir. Neil, bein' I'll be tal1in' some chances. If we'd git ketched at it, I expect the boss 'ud smash our bloomin' heads for us.''
 All right; I'll give you $50 apiece if you'll let me down in the mine and give me an hour to make examinations g Neil agreed eagerly.
 Tn advance?"
 Tn advance, if you say so.'
 All right; better come right along | then, for the coast is clear now,'' She fellow said; somebody might come moseyin' round later'
 A sudden impulse of prudence caused Neil to pause. T suppose I may take my siX-shooter," he observed, teEta- 1 lively.
 'Oh, sure; load yourself up like an arsenal if you like" returned the fei i low with a grin, which seemed to make | Neil's nomentary doubt ridiculous. Still he thought it wise to go inside and i1xa