The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-12-24
Within an Ace of r1urder.
BY STACKPOLE f. ODELL

He was good fellow, but Milly
loved another.
To be the husband of this girl had
been the dream of his life. His love
for her was an insanity. He felt that
he could not live without some hope
of obtaining her. He would not for a
moment allow that she was not to be
his; to have done so would have meant
suicide.
For a whole month he kept away
from the pit, in consequence OF which
he lost his preferment. During that
time he went from place to place, bat"
Ting with the great love that was
burning within him. But it increased;
it mastered him. Milly's image was
constantly before him, and for time
his disappointment drove him to
drink.
At last he decided to struggle no
longer against his love; so he went
back to work by the side ofhis success
full rival, who was still his friend and
against whom he could bear no anil
mostly.
He saw Milly as of old. She
thought he had conquered his feelings
toward her, so their former friendship
was renewed.
One day, few hours after the pits
had commenced work, Morgan came
to Milly looking very pale.
"Do not be frightened" he said,
"but David has met with an accident
"a slight accident. He has been ex-
ploring a used-up pit where he
thought there was a seam of coal that
could be got at He has uncovered a
lot of stuff and found the seam, SO he
expects to get good sum. of money
for his find, fine does not try to rent
the place and work it himself. He
took me down this morning to see it.
While stripping some of the surplus a
lump of coal fell across his leg. He
has lost little blood and is resting.
He thought if you would bring down
a bandage or two we might set him
right between us. You see, he does
not want anyone to know Of his dis
covery just yet, so you must not hint
to anyone Of it."
Milly went with Morgan Immediate
ly. He led her to the pit, which was
in very out of the way place.
'David is in there" he said, point
coal had been excavated.
Milly entered. Morgan Immediately
followed and closed door behind
nina door rudely made, but strong.
Then he told Milly that David was not
hurt at all and that he had brought
her to this place in order to tell her
that he could not live without her and
that he might make her promise to
marry him. He tried persuasion and
threats in vain and at last left her, tell
ing her that he would call each day
with food and for her reply.
He went back to his work in the pit
at once, making excuses for his alb
sence. When Milly would be missed
suspicion must not fall upon him.
He had hardly commenced to ply
his pick when tremendous explosion
took place. All the outlets from the
mine were completely blocked.
Morgan found himself in the dark,
lying PROSTATE on his back, with o
quantity of coal upon him. His face
and head alone were free. He cried
for help in vain. For many hours he
lay there, unable to move.
Each hour seemed as though it
were day. His mind was terribly
perturbed. He did not care much
about dying or about the pain he was
suffering. His thoughts were chiefly
occupied with the poor girl he had
imprisoned. What would she do for
food? He pictured her dying of star
walton. His mind had been we'll in
culcated with the principles of Chris
tianitY; this made his remorse all the
greater. AS he lay helpless with, for
all he knew, tons of coal on top of him,
he already felt the torments of re-
morse. Again and again he shrieked,
his mind overcome with horror.
At last voice answered his cries,
1t was the voice of David.
IS that you, Morgan?" he sail.
81 WAS stunned. Wait till I get my
lamp alight."
1t did not take him long to remove
some of the fallen coal and extricate
Morgan.
And then for five dreary days they
remained prisoners in the darkness.
David's lamp did not remain alight
for long, not even long enough for
them to explore their surroundings.
1t would be impossible to describe
their sufferings, more especially those
Of Morgan. He was frantic at times,
and it was all that David could do to
prevent him from dashing out his
brains against the jagged rocks of
coal.
At last the tine came when Morgan
was so faint that he could hardly
move. David's strength, meanwhile,
I e I I