Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-09-29

recess had been searched the men were
glad to let the newspaper people wait
for second trip.
''Well, that's settled" Anne heard
man say. his throaty tones inflated with
satisfaction. "He amt in the mine, he
amt on the ladder. and d-n him wher-
ever he is. /"
The cage leaped beyond her sight.
Donald, with the Intellectual light max
ing big shadows leap around him. came
down the alley and stood before her. lie
knew some disclosure was trembling on
her lips.
"We're alone now." he said. "You
look awful. Take little.
He held out flask of whisky, and
Anne greedily swallowed a mouthful.
1t revived her and made her brave
again. She listened to the creaking Of
the wire ropes, but instead of fear her
eyes flashed with determination.
I'm going to trust you, Donald Sc
fain, she said slowly, rising and touch
ing his arm. 'Yes, I'm going to trust
you. believe in your pity and your
honor
His eyes answered her; he held his
breath.
81 know where Red Evans is, /" she
said. Hes near us, hidden under my
cloak. He begged his life--oh, how he
begged it-and couldn't give him up.
He prayed for one chance. I'll give it
to him. Will you?"
Anne pressed her hands upon his
shoulders, the divinity of mediator in
her eyes.
A food of feeling trickled over Don
AIDS heart, something never felt before
pain, an ecstasy, fire loosening some
callous growth and seeming by mira
Gle to turn it to sunshine within him.
"Yes, yes" he said, the perplexing
joy still controlling him. "What can
we do?''
"There's only one way Red Evans
can escape" she continued feverishly.
GIVE money with me. I'll give it to
him. But that doesn't help matters
while he's hidden here. The only way
he can leave the mine unquestioned is
by putting ON your blouse and hat and
taking your place when 60 up. Once
he's freed, I'll return for you. This is
my plan-to pretend I lost some money
and come back with these things wear
secreted under my own cloak for you,
to slip them to you, have you put them
on, step out unnoticed and join the
searchers for the money. 1t will be easy
enough. All men look alike in these
things, and with the collar up and one S
face turned away they make good
ment you'd have to insist that you came
down with me the second time. Are you
willing? Will you risk it? I promise to
return for you"
In answer Donald took off the long
blouse and hat and saw Anne's eyes
darken with gratitude. She pointed to
the mule cart.
''He's there, and you'll need to give
him some whisky; he's so weak"
After. putting out the light upon his
hat, which had begun to flicker, Donald
stepped across an oozing stream aud
leaned over the cart.
evans! Evans Look up, man !!
Here's your chance. This hat and
blouse He broke off abruptly
"Why doesn't he answer"
He bent nearer and touched the head
and face of the hidden man.
"Oh, if he's tainted how can we save
him? There isn't q moment" whispered
Anre in frenzy of fear.
Donald climbed into the mule cart
and plunged down.
"He's dead -
The words rang out. The echoes car.
ried them and played with them in O
ghastly way. No need Of plans, sacri-
fee, danger Freedom and the hangman
were alike impossible and indifferent to
Red Evans now.
Anne saw Donald's face lifted,
touched by the awe always following
the wake Of the great mystery, but only
for few seconds before her lamp went
out with long leap, as if protesting
against some new, uncanny presence,
and they were in darkness with the
dead.
Anne sank down, her folded arms
resting against wet wall. Everything
seemed to slip into mist; she felt
numbed, vanquished, when, like a
promise of good, Donald's cropping hand
sought hers and held it firmly. They
did not speak. 1t was a burden even to
think of the horrors surrounding them,
the masses Of coal not far above their
heads creaking like a law monster set
thing himself, the whimpering of flying
rats and the knowledge that beside
them lay dead man, look of alright
on his face.
After awhile it became evident that
something delayed the return of the
cage. Hours seemed to crawl by as they