Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-12-08
Within an Ace of rIurder.
BY sTACKPoLE f. opELL.

and worked in one OF the many neigh
boring coal pits.
Milly was peculiarly proud of her
ancestors, and she delighted in relat-
ing their deeds of courage and even
heroism. For many generations her
family name figured on the death roll
of the pits--the roll of honor detailing
those who had died in the performance
, of their duty as colliers, procuring coal
for the comfort and enrichment of
their country.
The girl was known by young and
old in the colliery district as "Our
Milly" and "Our Lassie," and she
was looked upon almost as the prop
erty of the various pits, while the
special pit where her father and three
of her brothers worked was known
more as "Milly's PITT than by the
name of its proprietor.
Milly was striking looking girl,
much taller than any other members
of her family, and, though rather
slight, she was neat and we'll proper
toned.
That she had many suitors was not
to be wondered at, but only two out
of them all received any encourage
ment from her. One was the local
preacher, who often preached in the
little chapel at which Milly and her
people attended,; the other was the
young man who played the harmonium
at the chapel and who was looked
upon as a musical genius in the dis
trict. Like most musicians he was of
very iovial nature, and naturally he
was a great favorite both in the village
and in the pit in which he worked.
Both of these young fellows
worked with Milly's father and broth
ers, and either would have been con-
sidered a good match for her, but espe
cially the musician.
1t was Milly's eighteenth birthday,
and it happened to be Monday
day on which most colliers do not work.
Milly had received numerous little
presents from her various admirers,
which she had strewn on the kitchen
table, before which she sat contem-
plating them with beaming face.
The picture was pretty one. The
kitchen of steady, sober, industrious
miner is not place to be despised.
This particular one had an air of tidi-
ness and comfort, with n certain amount
of refinement a little above the ordi-
nary. Through an open door could
be seen cozy little room, on the floor
of which was bright carpet and in Il
corner piano. NIilly gave music les
sons to many Of the colliers' children.
So she was independent and able to
contribute toward the general income.
1t was a warm summers evening,
and Milly was sitting at the door OF
her little home; the rays of the setting
sun lit up her pretty face as she sat
there thinking of David.
A man was coming toward the cot
tage-it was the miner-preacher.
Milly did not see him, owing to the
sun which dazzled her eyes. How
ever, she had been seen by the young
man in the distance, and he was APP
preaching her. He was dressed in
his Sunday clothes, and though, per-
haps, he was in manner somewhat
serious and overstately. yet in figure
and looks he was such q man as girl
might like. He had every appearance
of physical strength combined with a
certain amount of rugged intelligence.
Milly received him with signs of
pleasure. She showed him the various
articles on the table, expatiating on
the kindness of those from whom she
had received them.
81, too, have present for you,
Milly," the young man said presently,
as he took out of his pocket little
morocco case and out of it ring. He
took Milly's hand and placed the ring
upon her engagement finger.
''You and have loved each other a
long time now, Milly," he continued
81 should have asked you to allow
me to do this before, but it was only
this morning heard that was to be
made an overseer. So now we shall
be able to keep house."
He did not wait for reply, but con-
tinued in more passionate language to
express his feelings. Milly tried to
stop him more than once, but he paid
no attention to her.
Morgan, 'she said at last, "you are a
good fellow, and like you and am
glad to hear you have got the rise at
the pit. hope we shall always be
friends; but I cannot marry you
David is to be my husband-that was
settled last night between him and
my father"
Morgan could not reply. He tried
to say something, but his tongue
seemed as if it were tied. He became
SO pale that Milly was frightened. She
placed chair near him and pressed
him into it. He grasped the arms Of
it and trembled all over Again and
again he tried to speak, then he ges
ticulated feebly with his hands.
''Stay therep she cried, 81 will
bring someone"
The nearest house was locked. The
girl had tc go farther. When she re-
turned Morgan was gone.