Arizona republican., 1898-10-05
THE OLD
 SILVER TRAIL.
BY MARY E. STICKNEY.
Continued rom Yesterday,


 inored to take her again in his arms. iInpetuously showering kisses upon her. in spite Of all the awful possibilities Of the moment. mad with joy that she did rot repulsc hin. "Whatever happens, sweetheart" he passionately whispered as he left her, remember that now you are mine-Eline!"
 Dorothy waited. nervously pacing back ard forth, for few minutes, try ing to think what she had done. what ii meant, and to what end it all portend- ed. Did she love him? Had she loved him all the while? And what would her father say? But, unnerved as she was, with the dense cloud of smoke still rising and the confused sound of crashing tinbers and hoarse cries con- tirually growing louder. coherent thought was out of the question. Half Of the time for which Neil had stipu- lated had not passed by before she could endure the suspense no longer and was hurrying down the hill herself, now filled with alarmed vexation that she had been induced to delay her coming at all, since it needed Eut glance in the direction Of the fire to tell her that it was the Grubstake buildings which were going. She knew enough of the costly machinery there housed to be appalled, at her fathers loss; but ii cid not occur to her to think of the graver nerace until she met Harvey Neil coming lack to her and somehow ccmpreheDded the awful tragedy in his face. She stopped as though turned to stone, staring at him wi th wild eyes, her lips parted but incapable of utter ing any sound.
 You see-it is the Grubstalze,'' he panted, his eyes full of pity and yearn- ing tenderness IS he took both her ncrveless hands in his. They say the fire caught in the boiier-house and spread to the shafthouse in an instant. There were powder and giant caps stored there in the eacl. rcom-that was what we heard. Ii YVES criminal Of Me Greatly, having such stuff therc" lie fingered over the broken sentences, warding of the question he knew must come.
 And papa-?s she gasPed, withdraw ing her hands and making as though she would rush On down tke hill to see without waiting fer his a.-sver
 Tt is hoped that they are all right he reluctantly returned, his eyes en- treating her 10 have hope. ''There are ten men down the shaft; but if the air holds good-it must be ali right There is sure to bc time enough to save them
 They cannot get oat?" Fer white lips formed the words. but he guessed rather than heard them.
 ''The steam connections and holster, everything. went to pieces in the ex- plosion.' i4e slowly explained, lis voice eloquent of compassion. It was i'm possible for anybody to escape after the alarm WIS given. But as soon as we can get the fire out Oh. darling. darling, don't look at Ire like that, Don't think of giving up until 9.e know The men were working i'll tae levels quite away from tho shaft, and the inference is that ycur father and Me Greatly were with tl:tIn- There is no reason to believe that they will not be gotten out all right
 But you do not believe it, I can see in your face t!iat you do not." she pas sicnately exclaimed, drawing back from him with look of horror. He is. dead, and you know it. And to think that at the very moment he died l was Oh, go away from me, I never want to see you gain.-never, never, To think that ] sliuuId have turned against him for you. And he the dearest and best of fathcrs-always 90 good to me, so good, It makes ne hate you."
 He looked at her with pitying ten derncss as ct o2c distraught. You do not know what you arc saying. dear" he murnured, soothingly. And you must not give up. would not tell you so if it were not true. Your father Is probably alive and unharmed. And in a little while hc may be with you to laugh at all your fright. Don't give up yet, sweetheart"
 How dare you call me that-you?" she bitterly retortcd. her eyes flashing blue fire upon him, her face like stone. ''Do you not see that it is 3 judgment upon mc for caring for you, for being untrue to him? Caring for you, did I say? Oh. how could l ever dream of such . thing. To care for you, you wilo brought him here, who were the cause of all this troublc.-you who, if he is dead. have been the cause of his deathi l tell you that l hate you-I shall al ways hate you.'
 As she went on in this growing frenzy she had been blindly hurrying down tho hill, Neil keeping beside her with watchful eye upon her needless steps, butno he stopped, his peremptory look bidding her also Pause- His face. was white and set, his eyes were full of sadness beyond words. but still his tone was very gentle as he said: You must not come any farthcr,' Dorothy. It is not fit fer you-' They were now SC near the fire that burning bits of wood Uttered the grass all about them, while the smoke and heat from the well-nigh burnt-out shafthouse maoe the air stitilngly oppressive. Crowds of men were hurrying up the hill, many turning 4fN~ - o.,lo ,1o,