Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-18

| E& AE SESSG1 l EsSsas>WS> > sSsszas sGSssa He reached out lis hand und Stuart took it.
 was out on a little geologizing walk | this afternoon, and that is how I came | to explore the old Beury tunnel. found these crystals and was just put ting them into my pocket when l heard your cry for help. 1 was kneeling on | the floor of the tunnel and had my head near the side of the wall at the time, else I doubt if 1 had heard you. So perhaps you will not think I an al 1 together q crank On specimens if in this instance the hunt for them led to something better"
 It was fortunate find for us,'' re- | piled Stuart. Erie and l shall always | bless you for your search. l am anN- ious about him. Come right in, and l will have che of the servants show you | room where you can be at home for | tho night
 They hurried in only little after the | doctor and the miners, and Stuart. aft CT directing one of the servants to see 1 to Mi'. Burke, went to Eric The doctor was examining and dressing the wound. l He has had q hard blow. Nothing ! fatal. We will pull him through You i had better get off those wet duds and | look out for yourself. Thank God. Stu art. you are alive. This is the begin 1 ming of troubles here, l m afraid. There 1 has been crooked work today up on the hill, or I'm mistaken. That rock never fell down the ladder hole by accident, and the engine house didn't burn with ! out some ones help
 l Stuart looked thoughtful. He was still in the miners dress, and if the oc- l casion had net been serious the doctor i might have been excused for smiling at his young friends appearance. He was covered with the greasy led iron ore mud, great streaks of it were over his face and hands, but the gravity of events that were evidently poising for a crisis left little room for anything but sober feeling. Stuart stood over Eric.
 Poor fellow. This comes at a bad time for him..
 ''Nes, and for us, too.' said the doctor | sharply. There's no telling what the men will do without Fries influence to keep them quiet. And it will be Ques- tion of weeks before he gets up from this"
 II hadn't thought of tLat." Stuart put his hand on Fries forehead. At that moment Eric opened his eyes, He was conscious and spoke feebly.
 Stuart, you saved my life. You have paid up old debts. You are quits with me now.'
 Eric. we understand each other now. 1on't we:' Stuart spoke almost like q lover. But we owe our lives to anoth- ar man."
 "How's that:" Erie WAS too faint to gay more.
 Til tell you when you are able to bear it. Rest now.'
 Erie closed his eyes. and Stuart went away to change his clothes, and all the | while he felt conscious of tho convic- ton that he stood close to the crisis of events which tine evenings strange ad- venture had begun.
 Louise had gone out somewhere to spend the evening with her friends, the Nasplaines, so Stuart and the doctor and the new minister sat down to q late dinner by themselves, and it was while eating that Stuart learned the details of his rescue.
  to tell. He was a stranger to the place. but in the two days of his residence in Champion he had evidently made tine most of his time. He had inquired of a passing miner about the Reury tun- nel just before entering it on lis search for crystals The miner had volun- teerel the statement about the con nection with the Davis lower level. 1,CI of hot 1iy, until Le heard Stuarts cry for help. ! Do you always carry q rope with you on your afternoon walks:' asked Stuart.
 No. 1 have not been in the habit of doing so. but I think it might De a very useful custom ill this mining country replied Burke. The rope was lying on the platform at the head of the last row of ladders. and I nat urally carried it down with me, not knowing what might be needed at the bottom. l suppose the men left it there when the strike was declared. 1 noticed their tools lying around in va rious places as I came through the drift
 The doctor looked at the new minis ter with gruff approval. A man who could note details like that was worth knowing The Rev. Andrew Burke was evidently on the way to the doe tors friendship.
 But how did you happen to come after us:" asked Stuart, turning to the doctor.
 T was up at Rollins, the pump man who was hurt, you remember, when the boy, the same one who came to the office the other day, came in and said the engine house was on fire, and after 1 what seemed like a years time We managed to pry out of him that he had seen you and Ericsgo down the ladders q little while before. rushed over to the shaft. and here is the mystery of ii to me. Not soul was ill sight. The engineer, tiremen and pump men were all gone. The ladders were blazing. SC that there was no hope of descent by them, Some of the other men ran uI from down town. Then we thought o1