The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-11-30
Within an Ace of r1urder.
RY sTAcKPoLE y. opELr


daughter of Welsh collier, who lived
in small village in Giamorganshire
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 collery district rs "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 Pit" 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 well 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 musical genius in the dis
trict. Like most musicians he was of
a very iovial nature, and naturally he
was n greatfavorite both in the village
and in the pit in which he worked.
Both of these young fellows
worked with Millys father and BROTH
ers, and either would have been con-
sidered good match for her, but espe-
cially the musician.
1t was Milly's eighteenth birthday,
and it happened to be Monday-s
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 a place to be despised.
This particular one had an air of tidi-
ness and comfort. with certain amount
of refinement Ia, ie above the ordi-
nary. Through an open door could
be seen cozy little room, on the floor
of which was a bright carpet and in Il
corner piano. Milly gave music les
sons to many of the colliers' children.
SO she was independent and able to
contribute toward the general income.
1t was 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 lie was ap'
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 man as a gir
might like. He had every appearance
OF physical strength combined with ,
certain amount of rugged intelligence
Milly received him with signs o
pleasure. She showed him the various
articles on the table, expatiating OF
the kindness of those from whom sh,
had received them.
''I, too, have present for you
Milly," the young man said presently
as he took ont of his pocket littl,
morocco case and out of it ring. HI
: took Milly's hand and placed the rims
upon her engagement finger.
, "You and / have loved each other
long time now, Milly," he continued
81 should have asked you to ALLOW
me to do this before, but il was onl,
. this morning j heard that / was to b.
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 t.
J express his feelings. Milly tried +
stop him more than once, but he pai
no attention to her.
''Morgan, "she said at last, ''you are
good fellow, and like you aud an
glad to hear you have got the rise a
} the pit. / hope we shall always b
, friends; but i cannot marry you
, David is to be my husband-that wa
: settled last night between him an
my father"
Morgan could not reply. He trie
to say something, but his tongu
I seemed as If it were tied. He becanl
SO pale that Milly was frightened. Sh
placed chair near him aud presse
him into it. He grasped the arms
Q it and trembled all over. Again an
' again he tried to speak, then he gel
. ticulsted feebly with his hands.
''5tay therei" she cried, II wi
bring someone"
The nearest house was locked, II
y Girl had 70 80 farther. When ~ r.
tnras1 1xgan uss sene.