The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-29


1t was only an incident of mine life.
told without emotion or mention of
the agony of hunger, thirst and pain
endured, nor the keener suffering Of
the long suspense. Each group of
miners could disclose some tale of
adventure, sometimes weird or gro
tesque, but often suggestive of widow
ed wives and sorrowing sweethearts,
and the stolid heroism of a commun-
ity of men who know no fear and
shrink not from danger.
The visitors came at last to the
mouth of low dark channel which
Paul Benedict tells them opens at a
distance of two hundred feet into what
had been the richest vein of ore in
all the workings in the company's pos
session.
Peering into the inky darkness OF the
narrow channel, a dim light which
made it's way down through ventilat-
ing shafts and a distant slope into
the spacious gallery beyond, enticed n
portion of the party to press forward
into the low passage before their guide
could say them nay. AT word of
warning the more prudent ones with
drew. but not so Percy Holden and
Maize Dennie. Calling to their COM
panions to await their return, they
press forward with heads bent low to
escape the roof. For half an hour
those left behind counted off the min
utes impatiently, thinking that when
left alone they would soon return;
but to Paul Benedict, who knew too
well the dangers of the treacherous
foul damp, the minutes seemed like
hours. He regretted that he had not
rushed forward and forcibly drawn
back the girl who had SO thoughtlessly
embraced the greatest danger.
Becoming convinced that they had
fallen victims to this deadly element,
he directed the remainder of the party
to ascend to the surface and make
their way to the opening of the slope
leading from the larger channel. If he
did not meet them there, they should
apply for a rescuing party, who would
enter the mine from this outer pas
sageway. He then pressed forward
into the low channel, scarce daring to
inhale the stagnant air, lest he, too,
should be stricken down before he had
rescued her he sought. When about
two-thirds the distance had been pass
ed he came upon them, both uncon-
scious, and he feared dead. In an In
stant he was carrying forward the
frail girlsh form; and in a moment
more had reached the broadened mouth
of the channel but none too soon;
for his own breath came in short, con-
vulsive gasps, and his brain seemed
reeling. When he had reached fresh
air beneath a ventilati shaft and
found by hasty examination that life
had not gone out from Maize Dennie's
breast, then Il momentous question
presented itself. Should he leave her
here upon the damp earth, and at the
peril of his own life return to the res
cue of the man who had pushed him
aside and supplanted him in the
thoughts of her whom he loved? Or
should he carry her forward to the
waiting friends and dispatch a rescu-
ing party for the other? Former en-
perence told him by that time the
foul damp would have completed it's
deadly work. The pale still form be-
fore him appealed to him for care,
and even now Percy Holden might be
beyond recall: but in his inmost soul
he felt the impulse of duty to be
perform, and though Satan was whs-
pcIiIlS III HIS edT, tile NHIlSL pTlICl-
pie within him triumphcd.
With greater bravery than is requir-
ed to face a cannons mouth, he re-
traced his steps, and in a few mo-
ments brought to the foot of the shaft
his now unfortunate rival.
Fifteen minutes later Maize Dennie,
Still unconscious, was placed in the
arms of her waiting friends, but when
a half hour later Percy Holden, revived
by the fresh air from the shaft, was
assisted up the slope. she was sitting
up With pulses again active, and a
carriage was waiting to convey them
to the station, whence they would re-
turn to Lake Lahore. When Paul
Benedict had seen the light of con-
seriousness in Maize DENIES eyes, and
knew that his presence was no longer
necessary, he had withdrawn to or
der a carriage, and with the carriage
came a note to his hostess saying that
it would be impossible for him to re-
turn with the party to Gray Swan
Cottage.
1t was a quiet party which returned
that evening, nor did the following day
find the occupants of Gray Swan in
their usual mood.
To Maize Dennie life seemed sud-
denly to have lost its charm.
Why had Paul Benedict left her thus
abruptly, when she would have poured
out to him the love and gratitude of
her very soul? She had thoughtlessly
triiled with his affections for the pleas
ure of the hour, but not until the
passion of love had taken conscious
possession of her own heart did she
realize the pain her triling may have
cost
Not many days elapse before letter
finds its way to Paul Benedict's desk,
which occasions his return to Gray
Swan.
Again he stands at twilight looking
out over the beautiful eXpanse of wa
ter and watching the incoming boats.
But how different to him now appears
the scene than when thus viewed a
week before.
The low sweet music on the summer
air, the tints reflected from the rose
ate sky, are but a reflection of the
warmth and gladness filling his own
being.
And to Maize Dennie, whose boat is
slowly drawing near, the world once
more seems fair, and the stalwart fig
ure waiting on the shore, the noblest
specimen of natures handiwork.
THE HOBO FREIGHT CAR.