The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-26

Manuel. in an attitude OF bewildered
surprise and baffied fury, stood gazing
at the wraith-like form of Miss Grafton.
The other Mexican, farther along the
walk seemed stunned and incapable of
movement. Thus. for a brief space, the
three figures stood and only the abrupt
banging of "a door in the direction of
the bunk house broke the spell.
"Vamos, MANUEL" shouted the big
Mexican's comrade, whrling and dash
ing down the incline Los minadors!"
In a twinkling Manuel followed his
comrade, both vanishing into the shad-
owy mesquite and greasewood bushes
below the mill. They were hardly out
of sight before half a dozen of the min
ers and mill men plunged upon the
scene.
What in h is goin' on here?" burst
from old Trufies, who headed the rein
forcements. beg yer pardon, Miss Graf
ton" he added, hastily. IT hadn't no
idee that this was you. Billings said
as how he heard suspicious noises down
this way, and allowed there was some
thin wrong. What's ter pay, anyhow
"Mr Healy is in the tank" returned
Miss Grafton. pointing below her, her
voice for the first time showing traces of
agitation. HE may be hurt, Mr.. Truffies.
Please jump down and lift him up"
tank and lifted the super so that the
others could drag him out upon the plank
walk. Truffles swore roundly when he
saw how Healy was bound and gagged,
and 1 heard a cry of Joy break from Miss
Grafton's lips-eVidence enough, so far as
I was concerned, that the super was UNI
injured.
1T was Manuel and Pedro" cried Miss
Grafton. ",rhey were about to turn the
40 faka MI NH I
ran in the direction of the creek. You
may catch them yet"
Truffles and the rest took up the pursuit
at once, and, in making for the creek,
discovered me.
1.-THE assayer by thunder muttered
the amalgamator, tearing off my bonds
and freeing me from the gag. what was
ii, Mr.. Lefflngwell? Robbery?'
YES" / gasped. after them, Truffies.
Catch them If you possibly canP'
| They rushed away and / went back into
| the mill, where / found the gold just as
| ID had been left. After placing the yellow
! balls in the laboratory safe, tied up my
/ aching head with handkerchief and
went out to see what had become of Miss
Grafton and Healy. l could not find them
at first, but at the end of few minutes
search 1 passed around the first tier of
tanks and came suddenly upon them.
|
arm was about her waist and her head
was lying on his boulder / whirled
hastily. but they heard me and Miss
! Grafton drew away from the super and
I he turned in my direction.
| who's that?" he demanded. 10 is it
you, Leffngwell2 We've been looking all
around for you"
Thanks" said !, at was very kind of
you to think of me at such time I'll
/ ID, A1,o inc WALL
"Waitp cried Healy, coming closer and
| catching my arm. What's the meaning
Of that bandage around your head? Were
you hurt?"
Bruised that's ALL" I answered light
ly. And your"
| Not even a scatch! But"-he looked
toward the cyanide tank and shuddered-
'af it had not been for Ednas bravery
! there would have been an altogether dr.
| ferent story. She came down to turn off
the cyanide from one of the filled tanks
and got here just in time to prevent II
| from being turned onto that other one"
Ednal Up to that hour the super had
never called Miss Grafton by her first
name. Verify, his wooing must have
taken a mighty bound forward through
the events OF that night.
THAT revolver" went on Healy, was
one that had given Edna. You see, 1
II
uel to<lGy and. as / had a small weapon
which she could conveniently carry, / re-
| duested her to take II and always keep It
handy Did you see what took place. LET
hngwell?'
Il saw 1t ALL
you never saw a woman act any pluck
fer than Edna did. I'll warrant"
| Never"
Then Edna-I beg her pardon! Miss
| Grafton--laughed softly.
"If the strain on my nerves had lasted
another instant" she acknowledged, Il
should have gone to pieces. Suppose I
had tainted at the critical moment?"
But you didn't" returned Healy, land
even II you had l should still have glor-
led In your courage. l will take you
back to Miss Landy's now" he added
land then return and join in the chase
after Manuel and Pedro"
1.-THE gold was not taken" called af-
ter him as he and Miss Grafton started
Off.
"Im glad Of that" answered the super
carelessly. Just lock It up. win you.
Leffingwell?'
Manual and Pedro mode good their es-
cape and, so far as ] know. were never
afterward heard from In that section.
did not remain long at the Little
ophlr after the attempted robbery, for
a certain pink envelope brought me a
message, one Monday, which filled me
with happiness, and set me TO making
| preparations for returning East. Mon
day night l told the super that / was
! going, and requested him to get an
| other assayer 10 take my place. He
gave me a humorous look as he asked:
HAS that perpendicular writing any
| thing to do with this sudden determina-
| ton on your part, Lefingwell?"
"Tn exchange condolences with you. II
you WISH" he added.
well. then" said I. "the pink letter
got at noon has everything TO do with
my going away"
/ Lucky dog" he exclaimed. gripping my
hand But you're not the only fortunate
man IN camp, by any means. Some one
promised to take me for better or for
worse not long ago"
"The woman In charger asked smil-
inRly.
Some one must have told your he