Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-11-25

NJ W~ ~
EA8$&g &&GSA]
He reached out his hand and Studrt"tOOk
it.
was out on a little ~geologizing walk
this afternoon, n that is how l came
to explore the old Beury tunnel.
found these crystals and was just put
ting them into my pocket when | heard
your cry for help. | was kneeling on
the floor of the tunnel and had my
head near the side of the wall at the
time, else | doubt if | had heard you.
So perhaps you will not think l am al
together a crank on specimens if in
this instance the hunt for. them led to
something better"
1T was a fortunate find for u.s." re-
piled Stuart. Eric and l shall always
bless o for yOur search. | am anX-
ious about him. Come right in. and l
will have one of the servants show you
a room where you can be at home for
the night"
They hurried in only a little after the
doctor and the miners, and Stuart, aft
er directing one of the servants to see
to Mr.. Burke. went to Eric. The doctor
| WIS eAdI1luluS anu uE6SSI1S TIE WOuI1u.
"He has had a hard blow. Nothing
fatal. We will pull him through. You
had better get off those wet buds and
look out for yourself. Thank God, Stu
art, you are alive! This is the begin
ming of troubles here, I'm afraid. There
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 One's help"
Stuart looked thoughtful. He was
still in the miners dress. and if the oc-
casion had not been serious the doctor
might have been excused for smiling at
his young friends appearance. He was
covered with the greasy red iron ore
mud, great streaks of it were over his
face and hands, but the gravity of
events that were evidently posing 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
Yes, and for US, toO!" said the doctor
sharply. There's no telling what the
men will do without Eric's influence to
keep them quiet. And it will be a ques-
ton of weeks before he gets up from
this
Il hadn't thought of that!!' Stuart
put his hand on Eric's forehead. At
that 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,
don't WEI" Stuart spoke almost like a
lover. But we owe u lives to anOth-
er man."
"How's that?' Eric was too faint to
say more.
I'll tell you when o are able to
bear it. Rest now"
Eric closed his eyes,, and Stuart went
away to change his clothes, and all the
while he felt conscious of the cOnvic-
ton that he stood close to the crisis of
events which the evenings strange adj
venture had begun.
Louise had gone out somewhere to
spend the evening with her friends, the
Vasplaines, so Stuart and the doctor
and the new minister sat down to n
late dinner by themselves, and it vas
NHlle 0dlluS ludI SludII ISdIuSu III
details of his rescue.
There was little more for Mr.. Burke
to tell. He was a stranger to b place,
but in the two days of his residence in
Champion he had evidently made the
most of his time. He had inquired Of
a passing miner about the Beury tun-
mel Just before entering it on his search
for crystals. The miner had volun-
teered the statement about the con-
nection with the Davis lower level.
Burke had not thought of that again
until he heard Stuart's cry for help.
do you always carry a rope with
you on your afternoon walks?' asked
Stuart.
mo, l have not been in the habit of
doing SO, but l think it might be a
very useful custom in this mining
country" replied Burke. The rope
was lying on the platform at the head
of the last row of ladders. and l nat
urally carried it down with me, not
knowing what might be needed at the
bottom. 1 suppose the men left it
there when the strike was declared. l
noticed their tools lying around in va
rious places as 1 came through the
drift"
The doctor looked at the new minis
ter with gruff approval. \ nan who
could note details like that was worth
knowing. The Rev. Andrew Burke