Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-01-13


face to face with an important opportu-
nifty. If she gave the murderer to his
pursuers, Tho Citizen would have gained
a story unshared by its rivals. As a
nowspapcr woman she should make the
most of this moment. She hesitated
The mans eyes looked NJ at her like a
furnished dogs. AS a newspaper wom-
an, yes, but rs q woman, no.
She sprang up, fired ty the desire to
save him. His eyes were terrible as he
crouched in the slime ;it her feet. He
had suffered enough.
Come along" sho said, her voice
harsh with fear as mans laugh dis
family awakened echoes i'll the caverns.
"Thcy'vo already searched the mule
carts. Climb into this one. They won't
look again Lie down low, so. III put
my cloak over you. Try to breathe more
softly. Hush, they're coming"
Donald hurried toward her first and
found her sitting where he had left her.
Wagner said he'd como back and
stay near you," he said hurriedly as he
wiped his brow. eve just found out
that he sneaked on, the littlo beast"
"Did you find any trace of Evans?"
she managed to ask.
mo, he's not here. They might have
known that. You're shivering. Why,
where's your cloak?"
"Say nothing about that, she said
i'll sudden fear, springing up. Manage
to have the others 90 up first. I'll ex-
plain after. They must go up first.
Leave me here"
The cage had been very crowded COM
ing down, and when every worked out
recess had been searched the men were
glad to let tho newspaper people wait
for second trip.
"Well, that's settled" Anne heard q
man say. his throaty tones inflated with
satisfaction. "He AIM i'll 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. He
knew some disclosure was trembling on
her lips.
"We're alone now" he said. "You
look awful. Take q little"
He held out a flask of whisky, and
Anne greedily swallowed o 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. Eyes, I'm going to trust
you. l believe in your pity and your
honor"
His eyes answered her; he held his
breath.
Il 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 flood of feeling trickled over DON
AIDS heart. something never felt before
a pain. an ecstasy, u fire loosening some
Gallons growth and seeming by q mira
Gle to turn it to sunshine within him.
eyes, 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 10
by putting on your blouse and hat and
taking your place when / go up. Once
he's freed, I'll return for you. This is
my plan-to pretend 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 ones
face turned away they make good
disguise. But should there be any com.
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.
Hes 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 and
leaned over the cart.
Evans! Evansl Look up, mani
Here's your chance. This hat and
blouse" - He broke off abruptly.
"Why doesn't he answer?''
lie bent nearer and touched the head
and face of the hidden man.
ooh, if he's tainted how can we save
MN! There isn't moment" Whispered
Anne in frenzy of fear.
Donald climbed into the mule cart
and plunged down.
Hes deadr'
The words rang out. The echoes car.
ried them and played with them in a
CHASTITY way. No need Of plans, sacri-
flee, 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 a 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 a mist; she felt
numbed, vanquished. when, like q
promise of good. Donald's cropping hand
sought hers and held it firmly. They
did not speak. 1t was burden even to
think Of the horrors surrounding them,
the masses Of coal not far above their
heads creaking like lazy monster SET
thing himself, the whimpering of flying
rats and the knowledge that beside
them lay dead man. look of alright
Oh his face.
-