The Delawarean., 1900-09-15

ing up, he saw Kitty's flying figure
speeding toward him. He knew at
once that something was wrong. She
was breathless, her lips were blanched
and her eyes wild with terror.
kitty, what is it? Anything wrong
at the mines?' he asked anxiously.
She caught his arm to steady herself.
"There's been a Slider she gasped.
'and Clay''--
A sob choked her voice, and the ago
ny in her face went to Joe's heart like
knife stab. His face whitened.
us Clay anything to you, Kitty?" he
asked huskily.
"Everything-al the world to me-"
moaned Kitty. MY heart will break
if he dies!"
Joe unclasped her trembling fingers
from his arm.
"Please heaven we won't let him
die, dear" he said gently, and mo-
ment later he was gone.
How the men worked to reach the
death trap where six of their COM
rades were entombed until, exhausted.
they were compelled to fall back, while
others filled their places! How one
man, tireless and determined, kept al
ways at the head, never resting for a
moment. To tell all this would make a
story of itself.
Joe Bartlett inspired everybody and
cheered and encouraged the despairing
crowd that gathered about the entrance
Of the mine and when, after hours of
hard work, the last dividing wall of
earth was penetrated and an opening
made large enough for q man to enter.
1t was Joe Bartlett who, with no
thought of his own danger, climbed
through into the chamber beyond and
one by one lifted the half dead men
to those waiting ON the outside to re-
ceive them.
Young Ames had been farthest back
and was the last to be rescued. He
was very weak, but he waved his hand
feebly to the cheering crowd as Joe
lifted him back to life and safety.
Through the opening in the wall of
earth the excited, shouting crowd had
glimpse of grimy, radiant face-Joe
had caught sight Of Kitty when she
first saw Clay Ames-then there was
sickening sound as of muf1ed thunder,
q horrible underground groaning, fol-
lowed by crash. A second slide had
occurred and Joe Bartlett was buried
beneath 1t.
For second or two the crowd was
awed into silence by the awfulness of
the tragedy and then a cry Of horror
burst from hundred throats. Women
screamed and men grew white and
covered up their eyes as if thus they
might shut out the memory of the
brave face that but moment before
had smiled at them from its grave.
1t was hopeless from the first.
Yet never did men work more hero
ically than the miners of Clear Creek
camp for the next u hours to reach
their comrade Rough men most of
them We're, but they cried like babies
when at last Joe's crushed body was
lifted from under the debris and the
light of day fell upon his unconscious
face.
They carried him to his own cabin
and laid him upon the bed. The BRAY
est man in Clear Greek camp had given
his life for his comrades, and the en-
tire camp was in mourning.
y
Moonlight flooded the cabin where
Joe lay. The smile which had illumi-
mated his face in the last moment of
his life still rested upon it. Two peo-
plea man and a girl-stood beside
him. The young mans arm was about
the girls face. and her face was hid
den upon his breast.
'He was so good" she sobbed. 'IIe
died for your sake and minev
eyes, dear" said Ames gently, "he
was the best and bravest man | have
ever known" His arm frightened about
her slender waist 81 am glad" he
said huskily, ''that he did not have a
sweetheart"
"It would have killed her." whisper
ed Kitty, laying her tear wet cheek
against her lovers face. "But Joe did
not care for women. / am sure he new
er loved any one"
And they never knew, for eternal 81
lence had kissed the dead mans lips
San Francisco Examiner.