Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-04

provide temporary and partial relief. He was down at the Salvation Army hall one afternoon at the close of the week trying to make some arrange ments for better accommodations. Rhe- na was q work with some of the wo- men at the other end of the hall when Erie came in hastily. He was followed in a few minutes by Andrew.
 News from De Mott is serious," said Eric. The men down there are threat ening to pull up the pumps again. They are at the end of their provisions and starving.'
 Il can't feed the entire mining coun- try, Eric~ said Stuart little sharply.
 T know it.'' Eric sat down on a | bench and put his face between his of the sharp word. Forgive me, Eric. l spoke angrily. I will do all in my power.''
 Ut isn't that" replied Eric in muf- i fled voice. ''The men have refused to listen to me any longer and say they mean to act on their own account. My authority is all overv'
 "Nonsensew But Stuart saw that ETC SDOke the truth.
 Its so." Eric spoke with bitter ness. "No one is quite so ungrateful as a mob of workingmen when it turns on it's leaders. My day is over.'' 1 It was just at that moment that An drew came in. Have you heard the news?" he asked. ''They say the De Mott men are going in body to the Queen mine to pull up the pumps and then to the Royal and so on until they have ruined every mine on the range. They have given the companies two hours to give in.''
 Stuart was very thoughtful. eff they do so serious a thing as that, it will lead to an appalling loss of life. The 1 troops at Hancock. have been kept in readiness by the Cleveland owners, who have been anticipating some such move. It is folly for the men to think the owners will yield at this late day to their demands
 Tt will be the deathblow to labor and the workingmans cause for all time if they do as they say,'' said Erie, with groan, "and I am as help less as child. r. Erie completely broke down and actually cried. He felt that his reign was over.
 Andrew looked grayely at Stuart. The short winter day was fast drawing to an end. Stuart still stood there, thoughtfully looking at the bowed form of Eric.
 "There is one man who still has great influence over all the miners in Champion and De Mott" said Andrew gently.
 Stuart started. Over at the other end of the hall he could see Rhena. She had just left her task and was | coming toward him. Life was very sweet tc him now. Why should he risk it in a posSible-yeS, probable danger by going over to the scene of this new difficulty? Was he his broth | CTS keeper.
 '"That one man is yourself" contin- ued Andrew.
 ';You think I ought to go:" asked Stuart calmly.
 II cannot answer for you" Andrew made reply slowly.
 What gre you talking about" asked Rhena as she came up.
 "Rhena," said Stuart, Sit may be nee essary for me to go to De Mott to-
 
 had reached q crisis, and before morn ing something will probably occur to change the situation that has held all | winter"
 Rhena looked steadily at the three men.
 You are keeping back something" " she said at last. ..
 "Yesw exclaimed Eric, lifting his head ''The men at De Mott are going to pull up the Queen mine pumps. I've lost my influence over them. If Stuart goes over there to prevent the men, he | will risk his life. I know the men l when they are drunk are devils. They would kill any one, even Christ him. self, if he went over there tonight. Don't let him go, Miss Dwight. It's all most sure death. He will only lose his life and do no good by it.''
 Rhena did not say word Stuart looked over at Andrew as if half hop ing he would second Fries request. But Andrew was silent. Then he turn ed toward Rhena again. He had never loved her so much as at that moment.
 "Rhena," he said in a low tone, 'sl feel as if ought to go over. to De Mott I am sure Eric exaggerates the danger If am the only man with enough in fluence to prevent m outbreak, am il duty bound to exert it.s'
 s.No: don't got'' cried Rhena, ani then she stopped. She had taken ont | step toward staeFt He Was 4et. l4ok ' E