The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-21

caught again, there was hoarse shout
from both above and below, and then all
was still again. At the first movement
she had caught at his hand with her
trembling fingers. He took them in his
firm clasp and did not let them 90.
"You are cold" he quietly said aud fell
to softly chatting her hands. Then as il
there had been no interruption he went
on to tell her the story Of the mine. He
talked simply and well. 1t was graphic
tale, and made her forget for the mo-
ment their own perilous situation. Then
he went on to other adventures and final.
ly drifting back told her of his early life,
Of the mother he had lost when q boy, OF
his flight from cruel relatives. of his
struggle for bread In the rugged western
country. Then he told how step by step
he had climbed upward to independence.
He talked of himself freely. of bis hopes,
of his ambitions. OF his long deferred
plans for happiness. She felt the pressure
tighten on her hands. Then be suddenly
stopped short.
"Hold on" he said brusquely; I'm
firing you. And. see here, you mustn't
let yourself get cramped. Try and shift
the boys head little. Swing your arms
and move your feet. Have some
brandy"
mo-" she said, thank you; I'm quite
comfortable. How long have we been
here"
He held his watch to the dim light.
"By George" he cried, "it's three hours
and ten minutes! What a talker am!
But that's what 1t is to pass ones time
in good company" and he laughed like o
boy.
. ,kok Il 10 H.,
If it hadn't been for you" she almost
whimpered, and put her hand to her eyes.
Here" he quickly said, ''give me your
handkerchief" He took 1t and holding
the light close to her face carefully wiped
1t. "A little sanguinary in spots" he said.
with a quiet laugh. Don't put your
fingers to your face again. There. now
your hat is straight. We must look our
best when we face the big reception COM
mittee that is pretty sure to be await
ing u.s."
For the life of her she couldn't help
smiling at the contrast between his lively
air and his sorry appearance.
"Kello, below there" came the muff1ed
voice from above.
"Hellow answered jim
"All right"
mo change" said Jim.
1--WE have rugged a temporary cable and
some graphing lines and are going to let
you down. Don't be alarmed"
go ahead" said Jim.
There was a creaking of blocks and
many hoarse orders and somebody was
lowered to the roof of the car. There
were sounds. too, from below-murmurs
and sharp cries of warning. The car rose
a little, and then began its slow descent.
As it neared the ground floor Jim gently
picked up the boy and Jane spread the
coat carefully over the quiet form.
"Tete-a-tete is over" said Jim.
The gate was pushed back and Jim
stepped out. There were policemen and
6remen and ambulance men. and back OF
them many people waiting in the lobby.
and a muffied cheer arose as they STEP
ped out.
Clear the way to the ambulance" said
Jim sharply to the police sergeant. and
the stretcher men and the surgeon fell in
behind him as he stalked to the street.
He was a sorry looking fellow. hatless,
coatless and blood stained, but as he
laid the lad on the mattress and stepped
aside the great crowd that had been pa
tiently waiting in the street for the rescue
gave him a rousing cheer. He hurried
back into the lobby. but Jane had been
spirited away.
1t was just week later that Lame Joe
beckoned to the elevator starter.
Hear about Miss Merriam? he con-
fdentially asked.
"No," said the starter. Moving out.
amt she?"
Yep" said Joe. "Goin to marry that
Mr.. Grigsby. Coin to live out west too.
He's got mines out there to burn. Says
he'll look around an see IL there amt
some kind O. chance for me too"
'"That's good" said the starter. with
laugh. Guess that match must have
been made in the elevator"
mo" said Joe. THAT amt SO; l
thought it was. but it amt. You know
she an me is pretty good friends. an
says, Guess Mr.. Grigsby must have axed
you to marry him in the elevator" She
laughed. NO. she says. 'he didn't. But
he loved you then" i says. An she
nodded. Then l says. why didn't he?
She blushed little. Because. Mr.. Grigs-
by says it wouldn't have been fair: 1t
would have been taking an advantage of
me- she says, an blushed again. That
Grigsby's a square man, Jack"
Guess he is" said the starter.-Cleve-
land Plain Dealer.